Latest News & Features – Page 124
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ArticleGohl moves to new post at IAC
US – As chief operating officer (COO) for cockpit and overhead systems, Terrence Gohl will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of this division, with the aim of driving operational efficiencies and world-class quality. He will report to Brian Pour, global COO of IAC Group.Gohl has more than 30 years ...
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ArticleGestamp’s new hot-stamping plant, Pune
India – The dedicated facility, which cost €36m ($38.5m), is the supplier’s first of this type in the country and will serve Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Ford and Tata. The plant has started to manufacture previous series and will enter full production in May this year.“The installation of a technology ...
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ArticleNissan UK production stays strong
UK – The vehicle-maker made 507,430 units at its Sunderland factory in 2016, its 30th year in the country. The total included record volumes for the Leaf electric vehicle (EV) and the second-generation Qashqai, with the original now made on both lines for the first time.“Since the birth of our ...
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ArticleThe transparent press plant
The Machine Monitoring System (MMS) is part of Schuler’s Smart Press Shop. The company says that an integral part of the MMS is the intelligent diagnostics, which automatically archives and evaluates physical variables and control states when specific events occur. This is designed to enable rapid fault analysis.The state monitoring ...
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Article
New X-ray inspection platform
Nikon Metrology says its Mk 4 XT V platform iteration offers improvements to improve the user’s experience and system reliability changes to increase up time. The company says the XT V real-time X-ray allows users to navigate complex printed circuit boards and electronic components to trace defects on electronic components ...
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ArticleVDL Nedcar to make BMW X1
The Netherlands – The factory at Born will share production with BMW Regensburg, Germany, from August 2017. The X1 will be the fourth BMW Group model to roll off the VDL Nedcar lines and will be delivered to global markets.BMW said that strong worldwide demand for the X1 required extra ...
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ArticleVDL Nedcar to make BMW X1
The Netherlands – The factory at Born will share production with BMW Regensburg, Germany, from August 2017. The X1 will be the fourth BMW Group model to roll off the VDL Nedcar lines and will be delivered to global markets.BMW said that strong worldwide demand for the X1required extra capacity ...
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ArticlePSA agrees JV deals with CK Birla
India – The collaboration will involve the production of vehicles and powertrains in Tamil Nadu by 2020. An initial investment of 700 crores ($107.3m) will be used to develop manufacturing capacity for 100,000 vehicles per year and will be followed by incremental increases to support longer-term ramp-up.The agreement between the ...
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ArticleToyota invests $600m at Princeton
US – The plant in Indiana will be modernised with new equipment and advanced technologies to make it more competitive and meet growing demand for the Highlander midsize SUV. Capacity will be increased by 40,000 units per year.The expansion at Princeton, including 400 new jobs, is part of a localisation ...
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ArticleHands-on tutorials
Simufact Engineering says it is now offering five, hands-on tutorials that provide insights into the use of welding simulation with Simufact Welding. In a series of short videos Dr Ingo Neubauer, director Research and Innovation, guides the user through the handling of the software.Starting with an introduction to the graphical-user-interface, ...
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ArticleConnectors for automotive wire harnesses
BASF says it is expanding its range of engineering plastics. The company claims that with its new Ultradur grade B4340ZG2 High Speed (HSP) connectors will be more robust against damage such as breaks and cracks.It’s claimed that the new PBT grade has optimised product properties suitable for thin-walled plug-in connectors, ...
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ArticleAudi develops new finishing technique
Germany – The patented process uses a special powder to alter the sheen on a vehicle body, so that matt lettering and graphics can be created. This method will enable Audi to offer personalised side-blade designs for all R8 customers.“With this process, we modify the brilliance of the paintwork and ...
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ArticleYuan to become Volvo's SVP, Asia-Pacific
China – As senior vice-president (SVP) for Volvo Cars in the Asia-Pacific region, Xiaolin Yuan will replace Lars Danielson, who will retire from the company. In his new role, he will be supported by Geert Bruyneel, currently vice-president, Purchasing and Manufacturing, APAC, who will now become deputy SVP, Asia Pacific.Yuan ...
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ArticlePerfectly crafted
As demand for light commercial vehicles grows, Volkswagen sees its new facility in Poland as a laboratory for future LCV manufacturing operations with 70% of production tailored to customer specificationThe gala opening of VW’s new production facility at Wrzesnia revealed a very impressive, state-of-the-art factory, albeit at the time producing ...
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ArticleGM invests $1bn in American operations
US – The money will go towards new vehicle, advanced technology and component projects. The manufacturer emphasised that this is additional to the $2.9 billion announced in 2016 and more than $21 billion invested since 2009.“As the US manufacturing base increases its competitiveness, we are able to further increase our ...
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ArticleSaving energy
Whether lowering emissions, going landfill-free, reusing water or harnessing renewables, sustainability and energy management has long been a top priority for carmakersSustainability and energy management: these are the buzzwords that have dominated automotive manufacturing over the past decade. How many major automotive manufacturers can you think of that don’t have ...
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ArticleAudi and FAW agree growth plan
China – The two companies have defined 21 key strategic areas with associated targets over the next ten years. This will include the expansion of Audi’s model line-up through local production at FAW VW; a dedicated business for mobility and digital services; and increased collaboration in financial services.The expanded local ...
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ArticleAutomation system design software
To help streamline the design and configuration process for automation systems faster, Rockwell Automation says it has enhanced its Software Studio 5000 integrated development environment.The company says the Studio 5000 Architect application can now collaboratively exchange data with other engineering tools, such as EPLAN and AutoCAD, and with the new ...
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ArticleNew compact pressure sensor
Festo’s new compact pressure sensor, SPAN, adds to its range of sensors for process and factory automation applications. The company says this unit is easy to set up, use and maintain, and is IP40 certified for protection against outside ingress.Applications are said to include supply pressure monitoring, vacuum monitoring, leak ...
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ArticleTouch and go
The diversity of parts produced by automotive tier suppliers sees them use both contact and non-contact measurement techniquesCompanies involved in contact and non-contact measurement operations have to make a fundamental decision about the type of coordinate technology they will utilise – either a contact technique involving a touch probe or ...