Latest News & Features – Page 132
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ArticleOn-demand transfer case
A pre-emptive on-demand transfer case will initially be available for the new Jaguar XF and BorgWarner says it will also provide the all-wheel drive (AWD) technology for the XE and F-PACE crossover models.This transfer case directly connects to the vehicle’s control systems, which monitor signals such as steering wheel angle, ...
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ArticleEditor's note: The eye of the beholder
The allure of a gleaming surface has always been irresistible to the human eye. While technological complexity and model diversity are increasing to a bewildering degree, the external appearance of a vehicle remains an obvious deciding factor for most buyers. As a result, OEMs and their paint providers are coming ...
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ArticleImpregnation resins and systems for automotive applications
Loctite Impregnation Solutions (LIS) offers resins and systems suitable for sealing automotive castings and electrical components, says Henkel. The company claims the design of its LIS centres enables customers to achieve greater levels of sustainability by minimising resin usage, energy costs and shortening the processing time.In Europe the company has ...
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ArticleExercise in efficiency
Toyota’s famed philosophy of constant improvement is well represented at its plant near BengaluruIt’s a given that all automotive manufacturing plants are continuously monitoring costs and efficiency, but at Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s (TKM) Bidadi plant there has been a real sense of urgency revealed in the detail of the operation’s ...
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Article
Exercise in efficiency
Toyota’s famed philosophy of constant improvement is well represented at its plant near BengaluruIt’s a given that all automotive manufacturing plants are continuously monitoring costs and efficiency, but at Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s (TKM) Bidadi plant there has been a real sense of urgency revealed in the detail of the operation’s ...
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ArticleGKN expands at Shanghai joint venture
China – Growing global demand for all-wheel drive (AWD) systems has required the addition of five AWD production lines at two facilities operated by Shanghai GKN HUAYU Driveline Systems (SDS). The investment has doubled the company’s capacity for AWD production in China.The new lines will focus on the manufacture of ...
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ArticleEditor's note: People power
While we wait for the effects of Brexit to be fully felt in our industry, our July-August issue focuses on events a little further away. Many foreign car and truck plants in India have suffered from underutilised capacity, but more recently a change in government has created a mood of ...
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ArticleFCA's $1.48bn for Sterling Heights
US – The investment will go towards retooling the Michigan assembly plant for production of the next-generation Ram 1500 pick-up truck. The factory will stop making the Chrysler 200 in December 2016 in preparation for its transformation.The vehicle-maker said that its plans for Warren Truck Assembly Plant, which currently builds ...
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ArticleCBR250RR at Honda's Indonesian JV
Indonesia – In a global debut, PT Astra Honda Motor will start producing the new, 250cc sports motorcycle, with local sales beginning later this year. The model will be the largest displacement Honda motorcycle manufactured in the country.The CBR250RR features a newly designed steel pipe truss frame which Honda says ...
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ArticleHeavy-duty cylinder liners
Federal-Mogul Powertrain says it is now offering ultra high-strength iron cylinder liners made of a special form of compacted graphite iron (CGI), designated GOE330, that reduces the typical bore distortion under maximum piston side thrust by up to 27%, compared to existing iron materials. It is used in liner applications ...
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ArticleRobot cell for loading systems
Automating the transport of parts to and from turning and milling centres can increase the productivity. That’s the claim made by Schuler for its LoadMaster Assist system. The company says this newly developed robot cell will perform additional tasks such as the clamping of raw parts in the devices or ...
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ArticleDuesmann to lead Purchasing at BMW
Germany – From October 1, Markus Duesmann will be the OEM’s board of management member for Purchasing and Supplier Network. He will replace Klaus Draeger, who is retiring.Duesmann joined the BMW Group in 2007 as head of Powertrain for the former BMW Sauber Formula One team. He later became head ...
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ArticleSmall vehicles, big numbers
Building motorcycles in India is all about high volumes. AMS takes a look at Bajaj Auto’s plant at ChakanThe 1,400 employees at Bajaj’s Chakan plant produce around 80,000 bikes per month across five assembly lines in two shifts over six days a week. These are big numbers especially when you ...
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ArticleFord 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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ArticlePacifica progress
As FCA US smoothly implements a $744m upgrade at its Windsor plant in Canada, AMS focuses on the new equipment in the paintshop, including innovative oil separation technology and a robotic sealing system“What we were asking the Windsor team to do had never been done before,” said Brian Harlow, vice ...
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ArticleSeeing the light
With the attractiveness of a vehicle’s finish being key to purchasing decisions, automotive manufacturers are striving for better means of quality control. AMS reports on the most sophisticated technologies availableOne thing that has not changed in the automotive market is that the appearance of a vehicle in the showroom remains ...
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ArticleFord uses co-bots at Cologne
Germany – New collaborative robots, or co-bots, are helping assembly workers to fit shock absorbers to Fiesta cars. Personnel at two workstations are using the three-feet-tall robots to lift and automatically position the shock absorber into the wheel arch, before pushing a button to complete installation.According to Ngali Bongongo, a ...
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ArticleAIDA expands at Dayton
US – The $11.5m investment at the company's Ohio facility is aimed at increasing machining capabilities and boosting production capacity and efficiency. AIDA has added both new equipment and floor space.The company has installed a large-capacity Toshiba BSF-180B computer-numerical-control milling and boring machine that is capable of machining parts up ...
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ArticleFord reshuffles senior personnel
US – The changes affect the OEM’s leadership team in Europe, South America and Ford Smart Mobility. Steve Armstrong will become vice-president and chief operating officer (COO), Ford of Europe; Lyle Watters will be vice-president, Ford Motor Company, and president, Ford South America; Nick Schloss will take the role of ...
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ArticleReady to ramp-up
AMS spoke with Norm Strachan vice-president Manufacturing (GM India) and Asif Khatri Regional Quality director (GM India) about the plans to increase volumes at Talegaon and introducing new modelsAMS: Given the planned increase in production how will you integrate the changes needed without disrupting the current operation?Norm Strachan (NS): ...