Latest News & Features – Page 121
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ArticleGM invests $1bn in American operations
US – The money will go towards new vehicle, advanced technology and component projects. The manufacturer emphasised that this is additional to the $2.9 billion announced in 2016 and more than $21 billion invested since 2009.“As the US manufacturing base increases its competitiveness, we are able to further increase our ...
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ArticleSaving energy
Whether lowering emissions, going landfill-free, reusing water or harnessing renewables, sustainability and energy management has long been a top priority for carmakersSustainability and energy management: these are the buzzwords that have dominated automotive manufacturing over the past decade. How many major automotive manufacturers can you think of that don’t have ...
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ArticleAudi and FAW agree growth plan
China – The two companies have defined 21 key strategic areas with associated targets over the next ten years. This will include the expansion of Audi’s model line-up through local production at FAW VW; a dedicated business for mobility and digital services; and increased collaboration in financial services.The expanded local ...
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ArticleAutomation system design software
To help streamline the design and configuration process for automation systems faster, Rockwell Automation says it has enhanced its Software Studio 5000 integrated development environment.The company says the Studio 5000 Architect application can now collaboratively exchange data with other engineering tools, such as EPLAN and AutoCAD, and with the new ...
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ArticleNew compact pressure sensor
Festo’s new compact pressure sensor, SPAN, adds to its range of sensors for process and factory automation applications. The company says this unit is easy to set up, use and maintain, and is IP40 certified for protection against outside ingress.Applications are said to include supply pressure monitoring, vacuum monitoring, leak ...
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ArticleTouch and go
The diversity of parts produced by automotive tier suppliers sees them use both contact and non-contact measurement techniquesCompanies involved in contact and non-contact measurement operations have to make a fundamental decision about the type of coordinate technology they will utilise – either a contact technique involving a touch probe or ...
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ArticleThe Trump factor
Donald Trump has arguably had more impact on manufacturing strategy than any US president in a very long time; and that is even before he has taken office. During his election campaign he lambasted US vehicle-makers, especially Ford, for building cars in Mexico, threatening to rip up the North American ...
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ArticleGestamp to open aluminium plant, Nitra
Slovakia – The €133m ($140.8m) facility will supply carmakers including Jaguar Land Rover, which is building a factory in the country. More than 80% of the output will be aluminium-based.The plant will cover 42,400 sq.m and start production in 2018, focusing on products which reduce vehicle weight while maintaining safety. ...
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ArticlePlasma cutting power source
The iSeries of power sources for automated plasma cutting is part of ESAB’s integrated system of components that it claims deliver higher productivity and lower cutting costs.Featuring its HeavyCut technology to improve cut quality and precision performance, ESAB says the iSeries cut quality enables parts to go directly from the ...
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ArticleBarometric pressure sensor
Bosch has launched the SMP580, a new barometric pressure sensor for ambient pressure and temperature measurement in automotive engine management applications. The company claims the SMP580 is the smallest sensor of its type available on the market - measuring 4.9 x 3.9 x 1.5mm³.According to Bosch the new sensor delivers ...
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ArticleHeat treatment for aluminium components
Schwartz claims it has introduced a number of technical improvements on its heat treatment equipment. To reduce power consumption and lower emissions at the operator's site, the company says its equipment now features furnace casings, ensuring leak-tightness and low energy losses.The conveyors are claimed to be universally suitable for different ...
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ArticleRobot dispensing system
Amada Miyachi Europe says it has combined its standard desktop XYZ fluid dispensing systems with JANOME Industrial Equipment desktop robots to offers a range of robot dispensing system options that can be customised for use in a number of industries, including automotive.Applications include: dispensing solder paste, silicone for gasketing and ...
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ArticleVision of the future
OEMs' use of optical metrology techniques in fully automated robotic cells has increased significantly in the last couple of years aided by the development of a number of essential technical capabilitiesVolkswagen’s latest plant at Wrzesnia in Poland is one site where the use of vision-based inspection systems for quality control ...
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ArticleRenault starts making new Micra
France – Nissan’s Alliance partner has been making the fifth-generation model for the past few days at its factory in Flins. This marks the return of Micra production to Europe after a break of seven years and also the first time that a Nissan passenger car has been manufactured by ...
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ArticleFCA makes senior appointments
US – Daphne Zheng now becomes chief operating officer (COO) in China; Paul Alcala is COO in Asia Pacific excluding China; and Davide Mele is deputy COO Latin America. The appointments are with immediate effect.Zheng has served Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) for more than eight years, most recently as managing ...
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ArticleBack on track
Automotive manufacturers operating in South-East Asia are seeing the gloom lift as the car market begins growing again after a troubling couple of yearsWith the exception of Thailand and, to a lesser extent, Indonesia, both of which build vehicles for export, local production in South-East Asia is mainly aimed at ...
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ArticleCrisis or crossroads?
Volkswagen has embarked on its rebranded strategy of Transform 2025+ but how has the group changed and what are its plans for manufacturing operations?Volkswagen produces around 1 in 4 of all cars and vans made in Europe. It is the leading developed world brand in China, and despite the continuing ...
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ArticlePrincipled reasoning
Investing €500m to expand its operation at Leipzig means that, for the first time, Porsche can take three models on a single route through identical stationsSince production of the Macan began in 2014, Porsche Leipzig has operated as a fully-fledged production facility with a modern paintshop and a dedicated bodyshop. ...
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ArticleA pressing issue
With new opportunities opening up, the independent pressings and stampings sector continues to evolveWith car-makers focusing on new, demanding and regulation-driven technologies – especially in emissions, connectivity, autonomous and electric cars – limitations in terms of their resources and capabilities mean that further opportunities are opening up for the likes ...
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ArticleReality check for tech
In 2015, Samsung Electronics set up a team specifically to look at ways of penetrating the automotive industry. The South Korean tech giant was seeking to gain a firm foothold in an automotive electronics market that it predicted would grow to more than $100 billion in the next decade. Towards ...