Latest News & Features – Page 131
-
Article
Honda adds $53m facilities in Ohio
US – The two new buildings at the OEM’s Raymond site will accommodate quality and information technology operations for North America. The expansion will open in early 2017.The 98,000 sq.ft North American Quality Center will consolidate the activities of several Honda organisations, while the 38,000 sq.ft Ohio Data Center will ...
-
ArticlePSA SAIPA finalise joint-venture in Iran
This 50/50 joint-venture to produce and sell Citroën vehicles in Iran will cover the entire process from design through to vehicle marketing. The partners say over €300m will be invested in manufacturing and R&D capacity over the next five years, and the deal includes technology transfers and sourcing a high ...
-
ArticleMaking light work
Strong, stiff and light, these properties make composites a compelling proposition for the manufacture of tooling and production aidsIn sheet metal forming, epoxy resin dies were first used in the 1950s. These thermosets were often filled with steel powder or sand to increase their wear resistance and mechanical properties. Filled ...
-
ArticleMazda starts production of the MX-5 RF
Japan – The MX-5 RF, featuring a retractable hardtop, is being produced at Ujina Plant No.1 near the company’s global headquarters in Hiroshima. Production began with models for the European and North American markets, where sales will start in early 2017. In Japan, the MX-5 RF will go on sale ...
-
ArticleAudi Mexico opens supplier park
Mexico – Following the inauguration of its new San José Chiapa production plant, Audi has established a new, 26 hectare JIS (Just-in-Sequence) park next to the facility. So far Faurecia ET, HBPO, Thyssen Krupp Automotive, Truck and Wheel, TI Automotive, Kuehne+Nagel and Syncreon have set up operations there. They will ...
-
ArticleJürgen von Hollen named president at Universal Robots
Denmark – Von Hollen was most recently the executive president of the Engineering Solutions Division, which includes the Automation and Controls business of Bilfinger SE, in Mannheim, Germany. There he was responsible for a global staff of nearly 10,000 and annual sales in excess of €1.0 billion. Von Hollen began ...
-
ArticleVolvo: new platforms for a new company
Strong financials are justifying investment in new platforms for a company rebornIn 2015, Volvo sold a record 503,000 vehicles, an 8% increase on its 2014 volume; it also reported an operating profit of SEK6.6bn (US$779m), while its revenue grew from SEK138bn to SEK164bn. Some 198,000 vehicles were sold in Europe, ...
-
ArticleRecycle route for carbon fibre
The use of carbon fibre in automotive manufacturing is in its infancy but with £316m worth of the material sent to landfill in 2015 it is imperative the industry explores more ways of recycling European Union (EU) end-of-life vehicle directives prescribe that 85% of the materials used in a new ...
-
ArticleAudi inaugurates San Jose Chiapa plant
Mexico – The factory in the south-central state of Puebla will produce the Q5 SUV for all global markets except China, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Audi’s investment in the site exceeds €1 billion ($1.1 billion) and has enabled it to become the first premium carmaker with manufacturing ...
-
Article
Jobs boost at FCA Sterling Heights
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been granted $4.6m to create 700 jobs at its Sterling Heights Assembly plant. The company was awarded the funds by a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC) and follows the FCA's announcement in July 2016 of its $1.5bn project preparing Sterling Heights for production ...
-
ArticleAWL-Techniek expands into Mexico
The Netherlands-based laser-welding specialist is expanding its network of branches with a move into Mexico. With sites in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, China, and a strategic partnership with JR Automation in the US, AWL says it is responding to the "movement of the automobile branch towards Mexico" and meeting ...
-
ArticleCNC human machine interface
FANUC claims its iHMI (intelligent Human Machine Interface) provides a simpler, more efficient and intuitive way to interact with its 30i/31i/32i-model B CNCs. The iHMI features a flat-panel touch-screen display and a graphical navigation. It also incorporates a suite of new tools and features.The new Cycle Time Estimation function can ...
-
ArticleSimulation for thermal management
Ansys claims its AIM 17.2 can accelerate product design through upfront simulation with this new version offering enhanced engineering simulation for thermal management.The new version of AIM builds upon its existing, combined fluid thermal and solid thermal-stress capabilities with momentum and heat sources now available for fluid and conjugate heat ...
-
ArticleBio-based polyamide for automotive cooling systems
Royal DSM says is has developed a new application for a hydrolysis-resistant grade of its high performance bio-based polyamide, EcoPaXX. The company claims one particular grade, EcoPaXX Q-HG6/7, is suited for applications such as expansion tanks that need to resist coolants at high temperatures. DSM say it enables part weight ...
-
ArticleTanaka heads up Mazda R&D in Europe
Germany – Matsuhiro Tanaka is the new vice president of Mazda’s European R&D Centre, based at Oberursel, Germany.Tanaka first joined Mazda in 1984 after completing an engineering degree at Yamaguchi University. He was initially involved in assorted roles related to crash safety and has since gained more than 30 years’ ...
-
Article
Coming soon: A new Ford
There will be a new Ford soon – a new company that is, not just a new model. At least, that is the ambitious plan outlined to Ford's investors in September. This new company will not only allocate capital more efficiently, deliver improved margins and strengthen its core business as ...
-
Article
Next generation automation software
Progea USA has released its Movicon.NExT Version. 3.0. automation software. New features include: new iOS and Android apps for web client access using smartphones and tablets; new and advanced report designer; recipe management enhancement to include remote activation; function block diagram feature.The company says NExT is structured on modular concepts ...
-
ArticleAutomated gasketing
Graco says its Dispense Analyzer error detection system is designed for critical dispense applications where precision dispense required, such as those in automotive manufacturing. The Analyzer pairs quantitative dispense monitoring with effective dispense equipment, the Graco PCF (Precision Continuous Flow) system.The company says its Dispense Analyzer (jointly developed by Graco ...
-
ArticleWork begins at JLR Nitra site
The brand new 300,000 sq.m facility, now under construction in western Slovakia, will manufacture JLR's new range of high-tech, lightweight aluminium vehicles. With an annual capacity predicted at 150,000 cars, production is set to begin in 2018.The £1bn facility will be the first in Europe to use Kuka’s Pulse carrier ...
-
Article
Small motors, big potential
An innovative electric drive, which promises significant savings in space and weight for off-road vehicle applications, could be on the market before too longCollaboration between US transmission specialist Oerlikon Fairfield and the UK’s Ashwoods Electrical Motors, has led to the development of a new, ultra-compact device that is up to ...