Latest News & Features – Page 128
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ArticleVolvo: new platforms for a new company
Strong financials are justifying investment in new platforms for a company rebornIn 2015, Volvo sold a record 503,000 vehicles, an 8% increase on its 2014 volume; it also reported an operating profit of SEK6.6bn (US$779m), while its revenue grew from SEK138bn to SEK164bn. Some 198,000 vehicles were sold in Europe, ...
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ArticleRecycle 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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ArticleAudi inaugurates San Jose Chiapa plant
Mexico – The factory in the south-central state of Puebla will produce the Q5 SUV for all global markets except China, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Audi’s investment in the site exceeds €1 billion ($1.1 billion) and has enabled it to become the first premium carmaker with manufacturing ...
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Article
Jobs boost at FCA Sterling Heights
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been granted $4.6m to create 700 jobs at its Sterling Heights Assembly plant. The company was awarded the funds by a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC) and follows the FCA's announcement in July 2016 of its $1.5bn project preparing Sterling Heights for production ...
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ArticleAWL-Techniek expands into Mexico
The Netherlands-based laser-welding specialist is expanding its network of branches with a move into Mexico. With sites in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, China, and a strategic partnership with JR Automation in the US, AWL says it is responding to the "movement of the automobile branch towards Mexico" and meeting ...
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ArticleCNC human machine interface
FANUC claims its iHMI (intelligent Human Machine Interface) provides a simpler, more efficient and intuitive way to interact with its 30i/31i/32i-model B CNCs. The iHMI features a flat-panel touch-screen display and a graphical navigation. It also incorporates a suite of new tools and features.The new Cycle Time Estimation function can ...
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ArticleSimulation for thermal management
Ansys claims its AIM 17.2 can accelerate product design through upfront simulation with this new version offering enhanced engineering simulation for thermal management.The new version of AIM builds upon its existing, combined fluid thermal and solid thermal-stress capabilities with momentum and heat sources now available for fluid and conjugate heat ...
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Webinar
Hexagon Webinar: Big Data metrology and 3D process control
From the progressive assembly line to lean manufacturing principles, the automotive industry has always led the way in manufacturing technology. As the industry faces ever shorter design-to-production times, automotive manufacturers and suppliers have embraced industrial metrology and 3D measurement as enablers of quality and productivity.Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence is combining ...
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Webinar
ROFIN Webinar: Selecting the most suitable laser for automotive uses
The automotive industry has always been one of the driving forces behind innovative laser applications.In this webinar, we will explain how to select the most suitable laser for specific automotive manufacturing-related applications using latest laser technology and application techniques. We shall look at examples from the entire spectrum of high ...
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ArticleBio-based polyamide for automotive cooling systems
Royal DSM says is has developed a new application for a hydrolysis-resistant grade of its high performance bio-based polyamide, EcoPaXX. The company claims one particular grade, EcoPaXX Q-HG6/7, is suited for applications such as expansion tanks that need to resist coolants at high temperatures. DSM say it enables part weight ...
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ArticleTanaka heads up Mazda R&D in Europe
Germany – Matsuhiro Tanaka is the new vice president of Mazda’s European R&D Centre, based at Oberursel, Germany.Tanaka first joined Mazda in 1984 after completing an engineering degree at Yamaguchi University. He was initially involved in assorted roles related to crash safety and has since gained more than 30 years’ ...
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Article
Coming soon: A new Ford
There will be a new Ford soon – a new company that is, not just a new model. At least, that is the ambitious plan outlined to Ford's investors in September. This new company will not only allocate capital more efficiently, deliver improved margins and strengthen its core business as ...
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Article
Next generation automation software
Progea USA has released its Movicon.NExT Version. 3.0. automation software. New features include: new iOS and Android apps for web client access using smartphones and tablets; new and advanced report designer; recipe management enhancement to include remote activation; function block diagram feature.The company says NExT is structured on modular concepts ...
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ArticleAutomated gasketing
Graco says its Dispense Analyzer error detection system is designed for critical dispense applications where precision dispense required, such as those in automotive manufacturing. The Analyzer pairs quantitative dispense monitoring with effective dispense equipment, the Graco PCF (Precision Continuous Flow) system.The company says its Dispense Analyzer (jointly developed by Graco ...
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Webinar
Trumpf Webinar: Laser-based solutions for electrified powertrains
As the importance of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow, so does the rate of their production.While EV battery technology regularly prompts wide discussion there is also much to be explored around the other elements of the EV powertrain.In this webinar, we look at all the crucial elements in the ...
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ArticleWork begins at JLR Nitra site
The brand new 300,000 sq.m facility, now under construction in western Slovakia, will manufacture JLR's new range of high-tech, lightweight aluminium vehicles. With an annual capacity predicted at 150,000 cars, production is set to begin in 2018.The £1bn facility will be the first in Europe to use Kuka’s Pulse carrier ...
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Article
Small motors, big potential
An innovative electric drive, which promises significant savings in space and weight for off-road vehicle applications, could be on the market before too longCollaboration between US transmission specialist Oerlikon Fairfield and the UK’s Ashwoods Electrical Motors, has led to the development of a new, ultra-compact device that is up to ...
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Article
Toyota aims for top slot
Toyota is by some distance the largest Japanese vehicle company but on the global stage it is engaged in a battle for primacy, alongside GM and the VW GroupGlobal production in 2015 totalled nearly 8.7m vehicles under the Toyota name, a fall of just over 290,000 units, damaging its attempt ...
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Article
Revamped Honda Swindon makes Civic
UK – The first units of the tenth-generation have now rolled off the production line and been shipped to North America, one of 70 export markets which will also include European countries. The factory has completed a £200m ($260m) upgrade so that Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) can become ...
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ArticleCompact laser profile sensor
The scanCONTROL 2910-25 BL is a new high performance compact laser profile sensor from Micro-Epsilon. The company says it features integrated electronics, which uses a sharp-focused 10mm blue laser line for measuring small objects or difficult-to-measure surfaces.The company states this sensor is suitable for applications where absolute precision is required ...