Latest News & Features – Page 273
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ArticlePicture perfect: Vision in vehicle assembly
Clever engineeringWorking environmentIndustrial vision marketNew applicationsThe BMW factory at Landshut in Germany manufactures components for the company’s final assembly sites around the world, including body-in-white elements in various metals. The latter include instrument carrier panel frames for the Mini Countryman. The part aluminium-magnesium alloy unit acts as the mounting for ...
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New automotive application and technology website for design engineers
Mouser Electronics has launched a new application and technology website focused on automotive design. The company claims the new site provides assistance to design engineers in fi nding the latest automotive advancements, sourcing product information via block diagram navigation, and pinpointing the latest technical resources. The site features new products ...
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Specialist vehicle panel fittings
FDB Panel Fittings is offering a specifi c range of hardware for special purpose vehicles such as fi re fi ghting trucks, ambulances, police riot control vehicles, refuse trucks etc. The company says special requirements such as vibration and vandalism resistance are considered, as well as specifi c standards and ...
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Vacuum tube lifters and manipulators
American Crane & Equipment Corporation has recently added AL-Vac vacuum tube lifters and manipulators to its product range, suitable for lifting objects ranging in weight from a few pounds to several tons. The equipment is easy to operate and can help increase effi ciency and reduce labour costs associated with ...
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ArticleEconomical production of Eoil-free compressed air
The new Boge Bluekat range of screw compressors feature an integrated converter which the company claims offers a more effi cient solution to providing oil-free compressed air. These compressors are based on screw type compressors with traditional oil injection but feature a converter integrated directly after the compression stage. This ...
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ArticleSuction cup for efficient handling of metal sheets
Schmalz USA claims its SAXM series of sheet metal handling suction cups are able to absorb several times the lateral forces of other types of this equipment. The company says this is due to the special structure of the suction pad interior and an additional friction disc. Its design enables ...
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ArticleAMB 2012: Stuttgart
Shaping the future Display performance Optimising productionInnovations in machiningInnovative techniques Next generationOrganizers of Stuttgart’s biennial metalworking trade show – AMB 2012 – speak confidently of their hopes that over 90,000 delegates will attend during the course of this year’s event.Located in the very heart of Germany’s metalworking and industrial area ...
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ArticleGaining the edge in hemming
Established techniquesProductivity and flexibilityAdaptable technologyPush and pull Quantitative factorsRegional requirementsAs long as car body panels – specifically closures such as boot and hood lids – are made out of metal, they are likely to continue to be subject to hemming as a means of joining different panels together. The basic ...
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ArticleActivating eco-friendly excellence at BMW
New activator for simplified process managementSmooth changeover with energy savingsLess DI water – less waste waterFurther changeovers under wayImproved behavior on aluminiumFollowing a successful trial, BMW in Dingolfing has switched both car body pre-treatment lines at its Dingolfing plant to a new activation technology from a chemical supplier partnerThe BMW ...
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ArticleLooking East: five OEMs in Russia
Renault-NissanAvtoVAZFord-SollersVolkswagenGeneral MotorsRussia’s automotive market has grown rapidly in recent years, both in sales and manufacturing. AMS looks at the activities of OEM’s expanding into the country.Renault-NissanThe French manufacturer has been keen to develop its presence in Russia given the potential of the market. As such the company has made strong ...
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ArticleBold colours – the key to classic and modern car character
AMS talks to design legend George Gallion and BASF colour designer Mark Gutjahr about colour and style in cars past and presentFor decades, George Gallion was responsible for the appearance of Opel models, including the legendary Manta A series. Gallion recently turned 75 and he still has strong opinions about ...
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ArticleGreen-fitting gathers energy and efficiency gains
Minimizing cost, maximising ROISoftware solutionsSoftware solutionsThe automotive paintshop world has many mature paintshop installations that will not be replaced but can have their carbon footprint greatly reduced by intelligent energy managementModern paint shop operations are as unique as they are complex; there is no uniform design, no absolute standard and ...
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ArticleEuroBLECH 2012 – Hanover
Alternative metalsDevelopments in weldingSheet metal processingPress line automationCovering eight exhibition halls at the Hanover exhibition grounds, EuroBLECH 2012, runs from 23-27 October with the theme ‘For a sustainable future’. It focusing on efficient technology and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, says the organisers.“This year’s theme of the world’s leading technology exhibition ...
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ArticleA crystal clear vision of a clean future
Cleaning up in EuropeCustom cleaning configurationsAMS looks at a remarkable company that supplies the robotic painting industry with a highly effective gun and bell cleaning systemFounded in 1994 by innovator and designer Kevin White, Crystal Cap Cleaners (CCC) is a classic example of the phrase attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson: ...
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ArticleRussian revolution for GAZ
Restructuring for the futureCommercial successIn-house component productionCustomer-based benchmarkingContract manufacturingInvestment and upgradingRussia’s automotive industry has seen something of a renaissance since its Soviet guise was consigned to history. GAZ, famous for its trucks and Volga and Chaika cars, is re-establishing itself as a car maker through contract manufacturing with VW, GM ...
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Volvo appointed Alain Visser to Sales vice-president post
Sweden – Volvo Car Corporation has appointed Alain Visser to the new position of vice-president Sales Operations within Marketing, Sales and Customer Service.Visser comes from a position as vice-president Sales, Marketing and Aftersales for Opel and Vauxhall, based in Germany. His previous experience includes a variety of leadership positions in ...
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Director board of Audi expands following the acquisition of Ducati
Italy/Germany – Following the acquisition of Ducati Motor Holding by Audi AG, the new board of directors appointed the CEO of Audi AG, Rupert Stadler, as president of the board and Gabriele Del Torchio and Claudio Domenicali from Ducati as members of the board alongside Horst Glaser and Axel Strotbek ...
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ArticleSmart savings in paintshop energy
Savings potential lies dormant everywherePutting machines to sleepFrom cost factor to success factorPaint shop automation – a question of integrationUlrich Schrickel of Siemens explains how modern technologies and solutions can improve energy efficiency in the paintshopIn terms of energy used in a car plant, the paint shop is undisputedly the ...
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ArticleSmall, efficient and a true survivor within GM Europe
Press lineSharing the stressBodyshop ingenuity Future visionAssembly expertiseLuton today – economic and effectiveAll new for X82A good example of how things have changed at Luton, UK over the years is the shift patterns: in 2008, the plant ran three shifts but at present runs two, from 6.00 am to 21.30 ...
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ArticleRethink your idea of a paint booth
‘Re’ as in reliable‘Re’ as in recirculate‘Re’ as in redesign‘Re’ as in reduce‘Re’ as in reshape‘Re’ as in resultThe shape and size of a typical paint booth would seem an ideal candidate for modularisation, and one company has introduced a compact and scaleable solution for a truly flexible paintshop Dürr ...