Latest News & Features – Page 135
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Intelligent bin picking solution
ISRA says its Shapescan3D features high-intensity laser lighting that enables a detailed image to be captured with a high depth focus and, in combination with its stereometric structure, the system is durable and works in any ambient light. The company says its easy-to-use interface allows quick adaptation to changing object ...
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Van der Burgh takes wheel at Toyota GB
UK – Currently director, Consumer One at Toyota Motor Europe, Paul Van der Burgh will replace Matt Harrison as president and managing director of Toyota GB from July 1. Harrison will become vice-president, Toyota Sales and Marketing, Toyota Motor Europe.Van der Burgh has held several senior roles at Toyota Europe, ...
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New powder metallurgical steel
Vanadis 8 SuperClean is the next generation of powder metallurgical steel from Uddeholm. The company claims this high alloyed, high-performance tool steel meets the needs of both toolmakers and tool-users, offering resistance to abrasive wear and chipping.Uddeholm says it has placed great emphasis on making the material simple to machine ...
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BMW breaks ground at San Luis Potosí
Mexico – Once construction is complete, the plant in the north-central state will make BMW 3 Series sedans, with capacity for 150,000 units per year. Production is expected to begin in 2019.The new factory will have a bodyshop, paintshop and assembly hall, and represents an investment of $1 billion. Its ...
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Honda Pingtung reaches 300,000 units
Taiwan – The milestone vehicle was a CR-V SUV, which rolled off the assembly line 13-and-a-half years after production began at the plant. Honda Pingtung reached a cumulative output of 200,000 units in May 2012.Honda Taiwan was established in 2002. Production launches at the Pingtung plant were as follows: CR-V, ...
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Hot stamping hits heights
Car makers have increased their take up of hot stamping, a technology once considered a noveltyThe use of hot stamping forming technology has skyrocketed in recent years as OEMs look to produce lightweight ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) components for the body structures of their high-volume vehicles. Christian Palm, the head ...
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Companheiros Cobot
A visão de operadores humanos trabalhando lado a lado com 'colegas' automatizados está em crescimento, cada um trabalhando com seus pontos fortes e compartilhando as tarefas.A ideia de robôs como grandes equipamentos para tarefas árduas em ambientes perigosos já não é totalmente válida. Embora esse cenário ainda seja familiar, os ...
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A visão de operadores humanos trabalhando lado a lado com 'colegas' automatizados está em crescimento, cada um trabalhando com seus pontos fortes e compartilhando as tarefas.A ideia de robôs como grandes equipamentos para tarefas árduas em ambientes perigosos já não é totalmente válida. Embora esse cenário ainda seja familiar, os ...
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Nissan unveils new fuel-cell technology
Japan – The OEM announced that it is currently researching and developing a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system which runs on bioethanol electric power and is claimed to be a world-first for the automotive industry. Nissan says the technology will enable similar driving ranges to those of conventional vehicles, at ...
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Mixing together at PaintExpo
At the latest coatings show, held in Karlsruhe, Germany, in April, companies from a range of industries converged to share ideas and innovations. AMS went to see what might be of interest to automotive playersOther shows have come and gone, but PaintExpo continues to develop as a forum for companies ...
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Honda Kumamoto resumes motorcycle production
Japan – The OEM says it has now completed the removal of debris and a damage assessment at those facilities which were most affected by the earthquakes in April, including the assembly hall. Production of Honda’s main motorcycle models recommenced on a small scale on June 6.Kumamoto suspended manufacturing on ...
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VW Puebla makes Tiguan LWB test BIW
Mexico – The first test body-in-white (BIW) for the Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) was assembled on June 10 and used to check the calibration of bodyshop equipment and processes. The plant in south-central Mexico is due to launch full production of the model in the first quarter of 2017.The construction ...
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JLR opens factory at Itatiaia
Brazil – The plant in Rio de Janeiro State is Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) first wholly owned plant outside the UK and the first production centre opened by a UK automotive group in Latin America. The company invested 750m reais ($215.7m) in the factory and associated Education Business Partnership Centre.“Land ...
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Cobot companions
The sight of human operators working side by side with automated 'colleagues' is a growing one, each working to their strengths and sharing the task at handThe idea of robots as large, expensive pieces of equipment for arduous tasks in hazardous environments is no longer wholly valid. Though that scenario ...
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Cobot companions
The sight of human operators working side by side with automated 'colleagues' is a growing one, each working to their strengths and sharing the task at handThe idea of robots as large, expensive pieces of equipment for arduous tasks in hazardous environments is no longer wholly valid. Though that scenario ...
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Boler-Davis to replace DeLuca at GM
US – Jim DeLuca is retiring after a 37-year career encompassing manufacturing, labour relations and quality. Alicia Boler-Davis will take over as executive vice-president, Global Manufacturing, with the transition beginning immediately.In her new role, Boler-Davis will report to Mary Barra, chairman and CEO, and lead 180,000 employees at 171 facilities ...
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Francavilla in charge of GM's quality
US – As vice-president, Global Quality, Tony Francavilla will report to Mary Barra, chairman and CEO. His appointment is effective immediately.“Tony’s diverse technical expertise and global leadership experience position him well to further accelerate GM’s progress in every aspect of vehicle quality,” commented Barra. The company’s new head of quality ...
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Mobile 3D imager
Faro says its Factory Robo-Imager Mobile combines a 3D imager with a human-collaborative robot, integrated on a mobile station. The company says this system utilises its Factory Array Imager, a metrology-grade 3D scanner with blue light technology, capable of capturing accurate, repeatable and detailed measurement data for dimensional inspection and ...
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Integrated park-brake caliper
920 Engineering has launched a new, fully integrated park-brake caliper, which the company claims offers automotive manufacturers a complete, opposed piston, foundation brake system with a number of advantages.The company says this product is designed to reduce mass and improving braking system performance and incorporates a fully integrated, park brake ...
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SMMT members plan to invest £225m
UK – The figure, equivalent to $325.3m, was revealed after research by ComRes, which surveyed 112 supply chain companies within the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The proportion planning to invest in their businesses over the next three years stood at 94%.Of the companies planning to invest, 79% ...