All Joining articles – Page 4
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ArticleSPA in the DNA
Rising global demand for Volvo vehicles and the arrival of models using the SPA platform is having a considerable impact on the company’s Torslanda plant. Michael Nash investigatesAs they typically employ thousands of people, mass-market vehicle production plants often have a significant influence on local and indeed national economies. But ...
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ArticleRobots on the rise
Advances in robotics go hand in hand with new approaches to automotive manufacturing, writes Chris PickeringThe automotive industry is at a crossroads. Ahead lays the most radical shake-up in a generation, with disruptive trends such as electrification, autonomous driving and lightweight materials bringing opportunity and uncertainty in equal measure. It ...
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ArticleArc-welding aluminium: challenges and solutions
Lincoln Electric’s Tim Hurley and Michael Klee look at how the number of aluminium structures in BEVs can create new challenges to those unaccustomed to welding the metal AutoDrive SAWith the increasing number of electric vehicles that are being developed and introduced to the automotive market, vehicle architecture is changing ...
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ArticleSwitched on to new EV processes
The boost in electric vehicles poses challenges for traditional manufacturing. ABB’s Michael Larsson explains how robotic automation can help solve themWhat are some of the latest key trends in the electric vehicle (EV) market?Technological advances coupled with regulatory pressures on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are leading to promising signs ...
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ArticleThe role of the rotor shaft
EMAG explains how, as studies predict rapid growth in electromobility, it’s clear that mechanical engineering has a central part to playAccording to the Center of Automotive Management, sales of electric cars in China and the US massively increased last year. In Germany, the market share doubled at a low level. ...
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ArticleSmarter EV production
As it launches ‘electric intelligence’ models, Mercedes-Benz is also adapting its factories for flexible productionAt first there was some confusion over what Mercedes-Benz meant when it announced that it was creating an ‘EQ’ division. Was it to be a line-up of cars which would directly challenge BMW’s i models, as ...
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ArticleOpel Zaragoza plant hits milestone
Spain - The 13-millionth car, an Opel Crossland X, has rolled off a production at the plant. Zaragoza is the company's biggest production facility in Europe, and has been in operation since 1982."Our day to day focus is on how to get our customers the best product in the most ...
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ArticleAdient and Arvind to open facility
India - The two companies are joining forces to create Adient Arvind Automotive Fabrics - a joint venture company that will develop, manufacture and sell fabrics for vehicle seating systems in India. The first plant will be located in Ahmedabad, and will serve both domestic and international OEMs."Adient is committed ...
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ArticleSpotting an opportunity
Steed Webzell talks to major players in joining, automation and materials technologies to get their take on the future of spot welding ABB spot welding technology at Scania's plant in OskarshamnAccording to a Technavio 2017 report, spot welding is the most popular type of robotic welding, generating more than 48% ...
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ArticleJoined-up thinking
The welding of plastics and other non-metallic materials is now well established as a fabrication technique for automotive componentsThe welding of non-metallic materials is frequently used to create parts such as cabin consoles, lights and mirror assemblies, intake manifolds and fluid reservoirs, including fuel tanks. However, despite being a common ...
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ArticleNew welding technology
According to NIMAK its new generation of robot welding guns are designed to meet the requirements of multi-material mix and use in large-scale production for conventional steel applications. The company points out that these are based on a centralised motor and gear unit that reduces weight and lowers interference contours ...
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ArticleThe secret behind the shine
ABB Robotics is helping Audi achieve high levels of quality and consistency in its sealing and coating operationWith automated painting processes at Audi’s plant in Changchun, China, clean and shining Audi A4Ls are rolling out one by one. This paintshop includes under-body coating, interior seam sealing, cosmetic sealing and three ...
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ArticleSeeing things clearly
AMS reports on the most recent developments in the use of machine vision technology for quality control applications in automotive manufacturingIn response to rapid and sustained improvements in machine vision technologies, a growing number of automotive manufacturing OEMs and suppliers are now deploying such systems in a wider range of ...
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Article
The inside story
EcoInCure, a new body drying process developed by Dürr, permits the best possible top coat appearance and maximum process reliability EcoInCure is a new body drying process developed by Dürr which heats and cools bodies from the inside. It’s a technology that meets all the requirements for future drying ...
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WebinarFibre laser solutions for challenging applications in the automotive industry
High brightness fibre lasers are enabling improved performance in many applications in automotive industry – even the more challenging, such as welding of zinc-coated steel. In this webinar, we discuss how to select the most suitable laser technology for specific automotive applications, taking into account the latest developments and ...
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ArticleSeating plan
Adient CTO Detlef Juerss talks to AMS about the company’s sure and steady approach to new and complex challengesAmong all the exhibits at the IAA international motor show in Frankfurt, a seat that Adient produces for the BMW 7-Series ably exemplifies a modern automotive manufacturing challenge – to combine precision ...
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ArticleParts of the process
Tenneco CTO Ben Patel talks to AMS about the company’s approach to perfecting process, sharing best practice and mastering materialsSpinning off from a multi-sector conglomerate enterprise in the 1990s, the Tenneco of today takes it manufacturing focus along two distinct component groups. The clean air line features exhaust systems, catalytic ...
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ArticleStill going strong
As November marks the 40th anniversary of the original press-hardened steel patent, AMS takes a look at how the technology has evolved and where it is heading next in an era of mixed-material vehicle productionThe overriding merit of press-hardened steel (PHS) has always been the unique combination of formability, ultra ...
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ArticleBody conscious
The growing trend for OEMs opting for AHSS components has surpassed the expectations of steelmakersAudi’s decision to use a mass-produced carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) part in the body structure of its A8 may have secured many headlines, but the company’s extensive use of steel rather than aluminium in this model may ...
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ArticleNissan to grow new Leaf production
UK/US – Manufacture will begin at Sunderland in northern England and Smyrna, Tennessee, with these two locations joining Nissan Oppama, Japan, in the production of the new-generation vehicle by the end of 2017.“We’re proud to continue manufacturing the Nissan Leaf at three plants globally,” said Fumiaki Matsumoto, executive vice-president of ...