Latest News & Features – Page 114
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ArticleVolvo pledges electric motors for all models
Sweden – The vehicle-maker declared “the historic end of cars that only have an internal combustion engine (ICE)” with the decision to fit an electric motor to every model launched from 2019 onwards, which will include full electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids and “mild” hybrids. The OEM said it was ...
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ArticleBBAC to build EV battery plant
China – An investment running into “three-digit million” euros will enable battery production by the joint venture between Daimler and BAIC Motor, Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC), representing the German OEM’s first battery manufacture outside its home country. The two partners plan to jointly invest five billion yuan ($758m) in the ...
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ArticleSmarter and safer
As production facilities grow in complexity through the interconnection of cyber, physical and human capabilities, automotive manufacturers are encountering additional safety risks alongside new possibilitiesAutomotive manufacturing is entering what Christian Dunckern, head of BMW Group Production System, Planning, Toolmaking and Plant Engineering, calls “the time of smart devices and digitalisation”, ...
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ArticleDennis steps down from McLaren role
UK – After 37 years of leadership, Ron Dennis has resigned as chairman of the Automotive and Technology businesses, selling his shareholdings in both. A new McLaren Group encompassing all activities will be led by Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa as executive chairman.Alongside Al Khalifa, Mansour Ojjeh takes the ...
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ArticleNew group unifies McLaren businesses
UK – McLaren Automotive, the manufacturer of luxury sports vehicles and supercars, is being combined with McLaren Technology Group, the high-tech specialist, after Ron Dennis decided to step down as chairman and sell his shareholdings in both businesses. Other senior personnel will remain in post.Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa ...
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ArticleMan or machine?
Vehicle-makers are introducing more wearable equipment to alleviate stresses and strains, giving assembly workers a somewhat cyborg look. AMS reports on the latest innovations being rolled out by Audi and BMWAs the robots used in automotive manufacturing become more human, able to work collaboratively and intelligently, in one sense human ...
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ArticleNew development for chamfering process
Liebherr claims that its ChamferCut technology removes the need for additional machining following chamfering. The company says that as the exact chamfer shape is generated during chamfering, there is no effect on the material structure. An optimal starting point is created for the downstream hard gear finishing, through grinding or ...
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ArticleNew entry level turning centre
The Tornos product development team have re-engineered the kinematics of the company’s popular Swiss DT 13 turning centre resulting in the launch of the new Swiss DT 26. The company says the new 5-axis turning centre features two C-axes and has a larger working envelope to enhance operator visibility and ...
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ArticleUK political farce will hit production
In early May, UK prime minister Theresa May called a snap general election in the belief that she could both pummel the opposition Labour Party and gain a stronger hand in the upcoming Brexit negotiations with the EU. In the end, neither objective was achieved, the country now has a ...
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Article
A cut above the rest
A new digital approach to leather cutting is establishing greater levels of equipment reliability and material throughput making it a more viable option for the volume production of car interior elementsNormally any visible blemish on an automotive component is a reason for instant rejection. But there is one circumstance in ...
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Joining forces
Complex parts, precision fits, no margin for error; it’s no wonder automation is such a vital ingredient of successful powertrain assembly linesModern lines are faster, safer and more reliable than ever before, thanks in large part to automation. While intensive, dedicated lines designed for high-volume throughput were the preserve of ...
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ArticleRupp steps up at Porsche Leipzig
Germany – Taking over as Chair of the Executive Board at the factory from July 1, Gerd Rupp will succeed Siegfried Bülow, who is retiring from his full-time role with Porsche. Before moving to Leipzig, Rupp spent seven years as Head of Toolmaking for Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, and previously worked ...
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ArticleCompact tomography technology
TomoScope technology is now available in a new compact format says Werth. The company claims its new TomoScope XS combines many advantages of various machine classes. It features a transmission tube with a monoblock design that produces a small focal spot even at high X-ray power, which it’s claimed allows ...
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ArticleCustomised dual-clutch and control modules
BorgWarner says it is supplying Great Wall Motors’ (GWM) with its customised DualTronic clutch and control modules. These will be used in GWM’s self-developed wet dual-clutch transmission (wet DCT) and feature in models such as the recently launched WEY.The DualTronic clutch module uses two wet clutches to engage the even ...
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ArticleA cut above the rest
A new digital approach to leather cutting is establishing greater levels of equipment reliability and material throughput making it a more viable option for the volume production of car interior elementsNormally any visible blemish on an automotive component is a reason for instant rejection. But there is one circumstance in ...
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ArticleJoining forces
Complex parts, precision fits, no margin for error; it’s no wonder automation is such a vital ingredient of successful powertrain assembly linesModern lines are faster, safer and more reliable than ever before, thanks in large part to automation. While intensive, dedicated lines designed for high-volume throughput were the preserve of ...
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ArticleGroundbreaking for Mercedes Moscovia
Russia – Daimler has announced the construction of a “fully flexible” car factory in the Moscow area, with an investment of over €250m ($278.1m). The plant will produce Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans from 2019, followed by the GLE, GLC and GLS SUV models.Covering 850,000 sq.m on the Esipovo industrial park, the ...
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ArticleGM to build supplier park at Arlington
US – The new park in Texas will consist of two manufacturing and warehouse buildings covering 1.2m sq.ft and will require up to 1,250 workers, including 850 in newly created positions. The park will begin supporting the Arlington Assembly plant in 2018.“Through strong supplier and community relations, we’re able create ...
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ArticleVW and GAZ extend production deal
Russia – The manufacturing agreement to produce Volkswagen and Skoda cars at Gorky Automobile Plant, originally signed in 2011, will now run to 2025. Moreover, the two companies defined the model versions to be produced, set out plans to adapt GAZ’s production capacities for the launch of new models for ...
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ArticleSeat launches 4.0 training programme
Spain – The OEM says that personnel will interact with some of the tools and technology that will become common in production processes in the near future and are already being introduced, including virtual reality, collaborative robots, 3D printing and augmented reality. Of 2,000 employees registered for training, 1,200 have ...