Interiors – Page 3
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Article
Seven key issues for tier suppliers
Taking examples from across the world of automotive tier supply, AMS looks at the seven key considerations from supply base consolidation, vertical integration and outsourcing to the changes that the move to electric, autonomous and connected vehicles might mean for the supplier industry 1. Supply base consolidation While car companies ...
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ArticleParts makers in the driver's seat
Using ABB robots, an IAC Group facility in Sweden has streamlined its production of interior plastic components for Volvo The town of Skara in south-western Sweden is home to a manufacturing plant that has produced plastic goods since the mid-1930s. “In the beginning, the plant produced household goods, before shifting ...
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Article
Injecting a dash of insulation
Automotive interiors specialist International Automotive Components (IAC) has further expanded its operations in Europe IAC's newest production facility, at Prestice in the Czech Republic, will initially be producing the company’s injection moulded inner dash, acoustical insulation product for two major vehicle OEM customers – including trunk trim and dash insulation ...
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Article
Operation and cooperation
The working relationship between design and manufacturing departments can optimise processes, reduce costs and make the most of the best ideasGenuine leather, synthetic leather, thermoplastic polyolefins and slush skins have become standard surface materials in cockpit production. These various surface concepts usually call for multiple-stage production processes, requiring specific tools. ...
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Article
Zero tolerance for error
If a single word can sum up the key challenge involved in the manufacture of injector valves for diesel engines it is very likely ‘tolerances’ Summing up the high-precision machining operations at Delphi’s Storehouse plant, chief manufacturing engineer for commercial vehicle fuel injection systems Dave Jewell says: “We have got ...
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Webinar
Lectra: An interactive roundtable on Operational Excellence in the Cutting Value Chain
As the foremost authority on cutting room automation and digitalisation, Lectra has brought together a panel of lean-production experts to discuss best practice enabling suppliers to better cope with changing market demand while also containing costs. Register for our digital event today to watch video highlights and gain insight ...
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Article
Honda releases environmental report
US – The 2016 North American Environmental Report (NAER), Honda’s 12 th such publication, states that the CO 2 emissions intensity of its vehicle production dropped by 10% compared with the previous year despite a record output. In fiscal year 2016, energy per vehicle also decreased by 6.7%, ...
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Article
Getting down to refined auto parts
ABB robots help HIB Trim Part Solutions produce a wide variety of vehicle interior parts from instrumental panels and centre consoles to door trim HIB Trim Part Solutions, a member of the NBHX Trim Group, is a technology partner for the premium sector of the automotive industry. The company develops ...
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Article
Colour code
The north corner of Audi’s vast Ingolstadt plant has been transformed into a three-storey, environmental and ergonomic exemplar of the automotive paintshop Handling more than 650 car bodies a day, operations at Audi’s new paintshop at Ingolstadt, Germany, are shared across approximately 200 employees in a three-shift rotation, supported by ...
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Article
The cutting room
Bringing in Lectra’s expertise, suppliers are finding more ways to streamline their production of fabric and trim for automotive seating Mature and dynamic, Mexico is an especially attractive location for companies aiming to establish or maintain a North American manufacturing footprint. Drawn by the appeal of Mexico’s low wages and ...
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Article
Revitalising a veteran
VW has been making vehicles at Puebla in Mexico since 1967, but a $1.7 billion investment has added new facilities for the Golf 7 and long-wheelbase Tiguan. AMS takes a look at a vast but still expanding footprint The automotive industry is a prime example of globalisation; major manufacturers ...
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Article
Recycle route for carbon fibre
The use of carbon fibre in automotive manufacturing is in its infancy but with £316m worth of the material sent to landfill in 2015 it is imperative the industry explores more ways of recycling European Union (EU) end-of-life vehicle directives prescribe that 85% of the materials used in a new ...
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Article
Creating kerb appeal
Optare build bespoke buses, but the firm faces similar challenges to high volume car manufacturers Bespoke isn’t necessarily the term you would associate with mass market public transport, but according to Optare president, Graham Belgum, it’s a key USP for the company’s work with public transport providers. Criteria such as ...
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Article
Creating kerb appeal
Optare build bespoke buses, but the firm faces similar challenges to high volume car manufacturers Bespoke isn’t necessarily the term you would associate with mass market public transport, but according to Optare president, Graham Belgum, it’s a key USP for the company’s work with public transport providers. Criteria such as ...
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Article
Moving the earth
Manufacturing excavators that can weigh up to 80 tonnes requires a surprising level of flexibility and agility in the production operations AMS editor Nick Holt heads to Kamatsu’s plant in Birtley northern England, to find out from the company's UK manufacturing director, Paul Blanchard, the various lengths that the ...
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Article
Heading in all directions
While Mercedes has invested in and modernised its domestic plants, it is outside Germany where the most significant expansion of production has taken placeWithin Germany, Mercedes-Benz operates three car plants – Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rastatt – and two van plants – Düsseldorf, the main Sprinter plant, with special editions and ...
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Article
Heading in all directions
While Mercedes has invested in and modernised its domestic plants, it is outside Germany where the most significant expansion of production has taken placeWithin Germany, Mercedes-Benz operates three car plants – Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rastatt – and two van plants – Düsseldorf, the main Sprinter plant, with special editions and ...
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Article
Ford looks to agave plants for bioplastics
US – In a collaboration with the Jose Cuervo Tequila brand, Ford is testing the durability and heat resistance of agave fibre by-product for use in vehicle interior and exterior components including wiring harnesses, storage bins and heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. According to the OEM, initial assessments suggest ...
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Article
Taking an interior view
Exterior finishes may catch the eye, but interior coatings must also fulfil aesthetic and functional needs Automotive interior coatings have two main functions: to provide a quality decorative finish and to be warm to the touch, helping occupants to feel ‘at home’ in their vehicle. These coatings are mostly applied ...
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Article
A call for Quality
GM India plans to focus its production at Talegaon as they increase output and add new models This year the plant may become the company’s only production facility in India as it plans to closes the older Halol site in Gujarat. But this isn’t a reduction in operations, far ...
