Latest automation and digitalisation stories – Page 19
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ArticleThe software-defined assembly line
The manufacturing industry is on the cusp of a revolution, where investment is led by software rather than hardware. That in turn enables a raft of new possibilities in creating the factory of the future, according to experts from Audi, ABB and Cosmo Tech.
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VoiceSmarter, greener paintshops
Efficiency, flexibility and sustainability are now more important than ever in automotive manufacturing operations. Geico Taikisha explains how new developments in the digital management of paintshop systems and processes can deliver on these requirements
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ArticleWatch: Factory of the future Livestream – The software-defined assembly line
As automotive OEMs digitalise and connect factories, hear how the Audi Production Lab, ABB and Cosmotech are using real-time data, smart software and advanced automation to reshape vehicle production processes.
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ArticleŠkoda accelerates expansion of its production automation
The OEM has developed a smart handling system at its Vrchlabí plant for the pick-and-place robots handling forged transmission shafts
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ArticleElectrification and digitalisation go hand in hand at Ford and VW
As the automotive industry electrifies, manufacturing is changing dramatically and OEMs are using big data to keep pace with that change. Increasingly moving into the world of tech, old quality control processes may no longer suffice since a lot of EV components cannot be reworked like traditional equivalents. Manufacturing has to be ultra-precise like never before.
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ArticleAMS Factory of the future 2021 – Redefining the production line
Flexibility is a key factor in enabling OEMs produce the growing number of electric vehicle variants. Our latest digital edition focuses on how and where OEMs are employing the latest digital technologies in AR, VR and AI to develop networked factories, with shared tooling and data, and cellular production stations. This issue features insights from Honda, Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Epic Games and more
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VoiceAutomation advancing flexibility
In a fast-changing industry, OEM production operations must be highly flexible to remain competitive. ABB discusses how the latest automation systems can support this requirement and the need for a mind-set change in the approach to facility planning
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ArticleVW and Ford invest in flexible production for an uncertain future
The speed of change in the technology of cars and rapid electrification requires new manufacturing equipment and is making expensive old machines redundant, but exactly where the industry is going next is hard to predict. More flexible manufacturing is the answer.
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ArticleCellular manufacturing adds flexibility in Mercedes-Benz bodyshop
For the production of the new C-class, Mercedes has taken the opportunity to add flexibility by way of cellular manufacturing in the body shop and with so-called ‘TecLines’ for assembly.
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ArticleSeat adds logistics cobots at Martorell
Spanish carmaker Seat has started using two autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at its plant in Martorell for the picking of parts from its onsite storage warehouses.
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ArticleWatch: Electrifying Production – How to build an electric future (Pt.2)
In the second part of our Electrifying Production Livestream series, AMS explores how OEMs are ramping up EV production through modular strategies, data analytics and advanced joining and metrology tools. Featuring Volkswagen Group, Ford, Renishaw and Atlas Copco.
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ArticleAudi takes the next step in the digitalisation of production and logistics
The OEM will collaborate with the Technical University of Munich and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO as part of its Automotive Initiative 2025 to develop a network for digital factory transformation and innovation
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NewsVolkswagen builds supply chain efficiency through industry-wide data exchange
The OEM will be a founding member of Catena-X an industry network created to establish data standards for the automotive value chain and promote industry-wide data exchange
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ArticleNew paintshop sealing process for the Taycan
Porsche, in collaboration with Tesa SE has developed a new production process to seal the holes in the car body that are required to ensure the complete application of the anti-corrosion coatings
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ArticleGlobal suppliers need modularity and flexibility in the EV age
Electric vehicles bring with them high development costs and large expenses for retooling plants. To get around that, OEMs and tier suppliers must work together to develop flexible, modular production systems, according to panellists from ZF and ABB at last week’s AMS Livestream on electrification.
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ArticleWatch: Automotive suppliers charging ahead – Electrifying Production Series (Pt.1)
In the first part of our Electrifying Production Livestream series, AMS explores how vehicle electrification is changing major tier-1 suppliers’ manufacturing engineering and design, plant equipment and manufacturing strategies. Featuring experts from automotive suppliers and production specialists including Gestamp and ZF, Henkel and ABB.
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ArticleThe challenges of a transition from ICE to EV production for automotive manufacturers and the implications for assembly plants
As automotive manufacturers make the transition to electric propulsion, the challenges they face from compressed development timescales, ever tightening regulatory limits and technology churn, mean they must adapt very quickly to change. Automotive Manufacturing Solutions spoke to Patrick Matthews, ABB Robotics head of powertrain for their OEM automotive division, on how ABB’s approach can help support OEMs through the transition process while retaining the ability to accommodate changes in production requirements
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ArticleBuilding the battery pack
While cell manufacture is still largely in the realm of specialist producers, more OEMs are now assembling the battery pack inhouse, but this can be a complex task requiring specialist tooling. Nick Holt reports
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ArticleThe race is on: Meeting EV battery demand with smart manufacturing
John Miles, Global Business Leader – EV & Battery, Rockwell Automation, explains the need for flexible and data-driven production operations to meet future EV battery demand
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NewsThe time is now to start integrating robotics into plant and warehouse logistics
Robotics have enabled major productivity gains in manufacturing, but as the technology becomes more affordable and labour gets harder to find and more expensive, it could start to play a bigger role in the plant logistics and warehousing, too, helping workers do their jobs more safely and quickly.