Latest News & Features – Page 159
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ArticlePlant floor automated 3D scanning and gauging
Perceptron has extended its family of industrial gauging products with the launch of the AutoScan Collaborative RoboGauge. The company says this offers automated robotic 3D scanning for dimensional measurement and gauging applications on the manufacturing floor. The system combines Fanuc robot technology and Perceptron’s Helix smart scanning sensor, integrated ...
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ArticleInterview: Thomas Karig at VWdM
The vice-president of corporate affairs tells AMS how the OEM’s manufacturing complex at Puebla is still growing after five decades of production, with the addition of bodyshops for the new Golf and TiguanThomas Karig, VP of corporate affairs, VWdMAMS: Which models is Puebla currently making?Thomas Karig (TK): Puebla is producing ...
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ArticleVW Puebla pushes on
A veteran of vehicle production in the country, VW is nonetheless still expanding at Puebla – adding a new bodyshop for the Golf last year and another for the Tiguan that will open in 2017. AMS went to look aroundAt 550,000 sq.m on 3m sq.m of land, VW Puebla is ...
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WebinarWEBINAR: FARO on metrology
This webinar presents FARO solutions used across different automotive metrology applications.3D measurement and scanning technology solutions from FARO provide a user-friendly and accurate way of taking contact and non-contact measurements for quality control in automobile manufacturing and assembly.FARO’s portable CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machines) such as articulating Arms and ScanArms can ...
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ArticleHonda invests $210m in vehicle paint system
.USA – Honda is to install a new, state-of-the-art paint line at its Marysville Auto Plant (MAP). The company says the new MAP Line 1 paint facility will utilise new technologies to reduce energy and water use, and chemical emissions from the vehicle painting process. This will include the ...
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ArticleVolvo breaks ground in South Carolina
USA – The Swedish OEM has begun construction of its new car manufacturing facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina. The company is investing $500m in the new facility which will produce the next-generation Volvo S60 sedan, based on the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) and will have an initial capacity ...
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ArticleA magnet for manufacturing
Low-cost labour and free-trade deals are attracting investment in Mexico by global OEMs and suppliersVehicle production is booming in Mexico. In 2014, a record 3.22m vehicles were made there, an increase of nearly 10% on 2013. Much of the rising production was in response to strong demand from the US ...
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ArticleBridgend to produce low-emission engines
UK – Ford has approved an investment of £181m at its Bridgend engine plant in South Wales to produce a family of all-new, fuel-efficient petrol engines. The investment includes Welsh Government support of £14.67m, with production planned to start in late 2018.The new low-emission engines have been designed and developed ...
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ArticleAt the crossroads?
AMS looks at Japanese OEMs in Europe and what the future holds for their production operations thereFour of the Japanese vehicle companies have manufacturing operations in Europe: Honda, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota. Nissan’s UK factory in Sunderland is widely regarded as one of the most efficient in Europe, while its ...
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ArticleVW CEO resigns
Germany – Martin WinterKorn has resigned as CEO of the Volkswagen Group after it was revealed that the company had installed a system on certain diesel engines in the US designed to deliver false emission test results. Prof. Dr. WinterKorn issued the following statement:“I am shocked by the events of ...
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ArticleDual control electric circulating pumps
Graco has provided Audi with three E-Flo DC dual control electric circulating pumps for the OEM’s paintshop at the Neckersulm plant. Audi wanted to use the same type of pump to handle the three sensitive paint products they were using.Graco says it’s solution was to integrate the three E-Flo ...
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ArticleSelf-clinching blind nuts
PEM self-clinching blind nuts permanently install into thin metal sheets to provide reliable and re-usable metal threads, and completing final component attachment in an assembly, says PennEngineering. Their closed-end design protects the nut’s threads against foreign matter and potential damage to internal components from mating screws.The company says the carbon ...
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ArticlePower source for robot-assisted welding
Fronius says its engineers have drawn on the power source's digital system architecture and new communication technology features to cover and address all the major influencing factors crucial to the welding process with high definition and reaction speed. The result is a very stable arc and optimum welding results, claims ...
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ArticleMercedes invests $1.3 billion at Tuscaloosa
USA – This investment will expand the German carmaker’s SUV production in the US and create 300 new jobs. The plant will assemble the company’s next SUV generations including the hybrid versions.The expansion includes a new 125,000 sq.m bodyshop which will feature the latest lightweight technologies and joining processes. The ...
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ArticleDry cleaning without compressed air
The EcoCVac, from Dürr Ecoclean offers an effective dry cleaning system that eliminates the need for compressed air. The equipment relies on the newly developed vacuum suction technology. This ensures that contaminants are removed not just from the part but also from the work chamber within 1.5 to 3 seconds ...
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ArticleSoftware optimises on-machine probing cycles
Renishaw says its Inspection Plus SupaTouch enhanced software package automatically optimises on-machine measurement cycles to minimise cycle time and maximise productivity.The company claims the software features an easy-to-use optimisation process to automatically determine and select the highest feedrates a machine tool can achieve whilst maintaining measurement accuracy. It also uses ...
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ArticleIntegrating electrification
OEMs face the challenge of assimilating a growing number of electric vehicles and assemblies into their production operations. Volkswagen and Renault have each taken the plunge with the e-up! and the ZoeFive kilometres from the heart of the Slovakian capital, on the north bank of the Danube, is the Volkswagen ...
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ArticleThe view from Frankfurt
Every other year, the automotive industry’s European movers and shakers convene in Frankfurt to gaze in admiration at the latest offerings and future concepts, particularly from the German brands. This year, despite the looming worry over what China’s slowdown might mean, the European car companies did not disappoint, with a ...
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ArticleNissan's A-team in Mexico
As the Japanese OEM adds new facilities for Infiniti and Mercedes production at its complex in the north-central state of Aguascalientes, AMS examines the reasons behind the long-standing success of this operationNissan is close to hitting capacity in Mexico again thanks to the continuing success of its Aguascalientes manufacturing complex ...