Latest News & Features – Page 108
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ArticleFletcher to deliver GM’s EV strategy
US – In the newly created role of vice-president, Global Electric Vehicle Programmes, Pamela Fletcher will execute the OEM’s plans for an electrified vehicle line up, including the launch of more than 20 pure electric vehicles (EVs) by 2023. She will report to Doug Parks, vice-president, Autonomous and Electric Vehicle ...
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ArticleKobe investigates quality violations
Metal producer Kobe Steel has admitted delivering aluminium and copper products in the past year which did not meet specifications agreed with customers, leaving Japanese car manufacturers concerned about the impact on their own output. Kobe is conducting internal quality and government-ordered safety checks, but has already stated that affected ...
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ArticleAction plan for Czech auto industry
Czech Republic – With key themes of electromobility, autonomous driving and digitalisation, the memorandum between the government and the Association of Czech Automobile Industry (AutoSAP) has been hailed by Skoda, the main automotive manufacturer in the country and a member of AutoSAP. Skoda worked with other organisations to help shape ...
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ArticlePSA’s French plants gain production
France – The OEM confirmed that Mulhouse and Sochaux will build new models from 2020/2021, saying this will secure their “medium-term manufacturing visibility”. It added that details of the vehicles will be disclosed at a later date “for strategic reasons”.Situated less then 70km apart in the east of the country, ...
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ArticleAugmenting automotive
Vehicle-makers are starting to realise the potential of using AR to improve productivity and quality, but how does the technology work in practice? AMS takes a look at some of the pioneering products now availableMore companies around the world are developing augmented reality (AR) technology to help automotive manufacturers in ...
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ArticleFord's focus on the future
Jim Hackett, Ford's CEO since May 2017Periodically, Ford decides that it needs a non-automotive leader to effect major change as market shifts demand new ways of running the giant corporation. Back in 2006, it recruited Alan Mullaly from Boeing, whose solution to the OEM’s problems at the time was ...
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ArticleMilling machine for Roots-type blowers
Holroyd Precision says its has developed a new CNC profile milling machine that, in addition to producing helical rotors, can be programmed to precision mill straight fluted components as used in Roots-type blower ‘air ends’.The company says the 4EX-R-BL machine has been designed from the ground up and that as ...
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ArticleHandheld laser scanner
The ModelMaker H120 portable laser scanner features blue laser technology, an ultra-fast frame rate, specially developed optics and offers the ability to measure challenging materials, claims Nikon Metrology. It also features thermal stability and temperature compensation.The company says the scanner offers a field-of-view width up to 120mm and a point ...
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ArticleFlexible force measurement
Starrett says there are common misconceptions that handheld force measurement devices provide less accuracy than traditional, static machines. However, the company claims its DFC Digital Force Controller, features measurement accuracy within 0.1% full scale with internal data sampling at 25kHz. Quality control engineers can use the device as a universal ...
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ArticleOne-touch locking connectors
Kyocera says its new 6810 Series flexible printed circuit (FPC) and flat-flex cable (FFC) connectors provide automatic locking upon full insertion, which it claims is a key feature to support automated manufacturing and robotic assembly processes.The 6810 Series connectors utilise a proprietary structure that it’s claimed enables quick, stable connections ...
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Article
Novares opens paint line, Sainte Marguerite
France – The company formerly known as Mecaplast – Key Plastics invested €8.5m ($10.1m) to build a 600sq.m extension equipped with the latest robotic technology. Novares said the facility will support six vehicle-makers in the region: PSA, Fiat, Volvo, Daimler, Opel and Renault.“At Sainte Marguerite, we are producing references for ...
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ArticleHonda to shake up domestic operations
Japan – The OEM is to end production at Sayama Automobile Plant as part of a plan to “evolve” its Japanese manufacturing activities, which will also involve the establishment of a “function” to develop production technologies that will be rolled out worldwide. Furthermore, the vehicle-maker stated its intention to acquire ...
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ArticleThyssenkrupp integrates forging units
Germany – The company announced that its new Thyssenkrupp Forged Technologies became operational on October 1, becoming one of the largest forging businesses in the world, with sites in the Americas, Europe, India and China. This global network will be controlled from Thyssenkrupp’s headquarters in Essen, with the aim of ...
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ArticleToyota ends Australian production
Australia – The OEM has wrapped up its manufacturing operation in the country after 54 years and 3,451,115 vehicles. Toyota stopped production of the Aurion in August and the Camry hybrid in September at its Altona plant near Melbourne, three years after the decision was made to conclude the operation.Dave ...
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ArticleEngle to lead new GM region
US – The company announced that it will combine its International and South America regions after the retirement of Stefan Jacoby, executive vice-president and president of GM International, at the end of this year. Barry Engle, currently in charge of South America, will assume the leadership of both regions on ...
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ArticleGM makes plans for e-mobility up to 2023
US – The OEM said a “zero emissions future” will require “a two-pronged approach to electrification”, comprising battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology. GM pledged to introduce 20 new electric vehicles (EVs) over six years, including two in the next 18 months “based on learnings from the Chevrolet Bolt”.“General ...
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ArticleBrose opens paint facility at Coventry
UK – The new e-coat line will enable the painting of more than 3.5m seat structures per year, according to Brose. The company invested £10m ($13.3m) and recruited an extra 30 personnel.“We have grown significantly over the last five years and have now reached a position where an in-house paint ...
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ArticleMazda makes CX-5 at revamped Kulim
Malaysia – Production of the new model began at the end of August after an investment of 2.3 billion yen ($20.5m) to automate part of the body welding process and install a new paintshop. Mazda said the upgrade has brought its Malaysian operation into line with its “parent factories” at ...
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ArticleSkoda hits 20m-unit milestone
Czech Republic – The OEM’s 20-millionth vehicle, a Karoq, rolled off the assembly line at Kvasiny more than a century after car production began at the main plant, Mladá Boleslav. The new Karoq will be launched in late October.“Producing 20m cars is a tremendous milestone in our company’s history. We ...