Latest News & Features – Page 102
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Going local
Not too long ago ‘global’ was the buzzword and in the context of automotive manufacturing it encompassed expanding worldwide networks of vehicle makers and tier suppliers, which benefited in part from low-tariff trade agreements. However, the world continues to change and globalisation has taken on a less benign connotation. Although ...
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ArticleUK vehicle output slows
Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant has suffered job losses in recent monthsUK – Production figures released by the SMMT revealed a 3% reduction in UK vehicle manufacturing, seeing 1.6m cars produced in 2017. This was in part attributed to consumer confusion over government plans for diesel vehicles and the ongoing ...
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ArticleAlliance takes the lead
Paris/Yokohama/Tokyo – The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance announced that its member companies sold a combined total of 10.6m units in the 12 months to December 31, 2017, which makes it “…the number-one automotive group worldwide,” according to chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn.Total unit sales were given a lift of 6.5% in 2017 ...
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ArticlePneumatic management system
Festo claims its VTEM motion terminal combines the latest developments in piezo technology and software to offer an Industry 4.0 solution for pneumatic control applications.The system uses piezo technology, integrated stroke and pressure sensors together with control via motion apps. Changes in pneumatic functions and adaptations to new formats are ...
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ArticleFluid technology for reaming applications
Proper set-up of a padded reamer presents particular challenges for the metalworking fluid, says Quaker. The fluid is required to deliver the necessary lubrication in a sufficient film thickness and also emulsion properties that will carry away the fines produced in the cutting process. The company says it has developed ...
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ArticleDigital welding solutions
Fronius says that documenting, visualising and analysing data from welding processes is becoming increasingly important in production operations. The company claims its new WeldCube data management system makes it possible to record, analyse and evaluate welding data across multiple power sources, and help the user to identify any potential areas ...
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ArticleE-axle systems for trucks
AVL claims its newly developed electric axle drive and battery systems, for trucks and buses, feature a modular design and a low number of interfaces to offer easy integration into the overall system. The company says that sub-systems such as electric motor, electronics, transmission, differential gear, axle, lubrication and cooling ...
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ArticleUltrasonic processing of plastics
Weber Ultrasonics and Hufschmied Zerspanungswerkzeuge have developed ultrasonic systems for milling, cutting and sawing brittle lightweight materials. The companies claim these systems use reduced process forces so in the processing of carbon and glass fibre the material removal rate is higher. In addition, they claim tool life is increased through ...
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ArticleNew CLS line starts at Sindelfingen
Site manager of the Sindelfingen plant Michael Bauer (left) and Ergun Lümali, chairman of the Sindelfingen Works Council (right)Germany – Mercedes-Benz has started production of its latest CLS model at the Sindelfingen plant. The CLS will share the same assembly line as the E-Class sedan and T-models, with the ...
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ArticleTube and pipe bending machines
The CNC 100 E TB MR tube-bending machine is equipped with numerous components, which can reduce downtimes and increase productivity, claims Schwarze-Robitec. Features include the Quick Tool Unlock rapid clamping system, which allows for a fast change of bending tools. The company says this machine can be used to bend ...
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ArticlePrimary circuit connectors
Stäubli RobiFix primary circuit connectors for use on welding robotsStäubli Electrical Connectors says it has developed the RobiFix range, a system of primary circuit connectors designed for use on welding robots. The company says this design allows the power cables to be divided into sections, so that in the ...
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ArticleToyota upgrades Valenciennes plant
TMMF will upgrade its Valenciennes plant to produce TNGA based vehiclesFrance – Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) will invest more than €300m in the plant to enable the production of vehicles based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).The upgrading of equipment and systems will allow the plant to ...
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Article3D non-contact volume gauging
LMI Technologies (LMI) has launched the Gocator volume checker. The company says this is a volume gauging solution suitable for inspecting cylinder heads and piston bowls in small to medium-sized internal combustion engines. LMI says this approach replaces traditional volume gauging methods (i.e., fluids, pressurized air, and acoustics) with a ...
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Article5-axis horizontal machining centre
A new, horizontal-spindle machining centre for 5-sided and simultaneous 5-axis machining, the HF 5500, has been launched by Heller alongside the smaller HF 3500 version. With a 900 x 950 x 900mm work envelope and a maximum pallet load of 750kg, the larger machine offers approximately 200mm extra travel in ...
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ArticlePSA adds third team at Mangualde
A third team will help Mangualde meet demand for the Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo modelsPortugal - PSA will create a third production team at its Mangualde plant creating up to 225 jobs from April 2018.The decision to step up volume is a response to the growth in demand ...
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ArticleSkoda takes Karoq to second line
Mladá Boleslav makes 320 Karoqs each dayCzech Republic – Skoda has introduced a second line for its new Karoq compact SUV, supplementing the original production operations at Kvasiny.Reacting to high demand for the model, the company has invested around €16.6m ($20.3m) in the new Karoq production line at its ...
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ArticleGurpratap Boparai to lead Skoda India
India – As of 2 April 2018, Gurpratap Boparai will be the managing director of Skoda Auto India. Boparai, who was most recently CEO of Fiat India Automobile, will be reporting directly to Škoda CEO Bernhard Maier.The Volkswagen Group recently commissioned Škoda Auto to evaluate a global architecture for volume ...
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ArticleToyota-Mazda JV opts for Alabama site
US – Toyota and Mazda have chosen Alabama for a new $1.6bn plant they will run together, which will make 300,000 vehicles a year. The investment will be split evenly between the two OEMs.The plant in Huntsville, where Toyota already has a large engine plant, will benefit from an existing ...
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ArticleRenault Trucks takes 'mixed reality' test
France - A team of researchers at Renault Trucks is examining potential benefits from 'mixed reality' technology for the heavy-vehicle maker's engine manufacturing operations.Working in cooperation with virtual- and augmented-reality specialists Immersion, the team has set up a prototype system that uses holographic techniques in a quality control process at ...
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ArticleMore job cuts at Ellesmere Port
Vauxhall Motors has announced it is making a further 250 redundancies at its Ellesmere Port plant in the UK. The latest announcement comes on top of the 400 redundancies announced in October last year, at which point the carmaker also revealed plans to move Astra production at Ellesmere Port to ...