Latest News & Features – Page 155
-
Article
JLR confirms new factory at Nitra
Slovakia – The OEM announced that it will become the first British carmaker to open a manufacturing facility in the country, after reaching an agreement with the Slovakian government. A letter of intent had been signed in August for the development of the production facility at Nitra, western Slovakia.The £1 ...
-
Article
Photoelectric proximity sensors
SICK says it has included time-of-flight technology in its PowerProx MultiTask photoelectric sensors and also to have increased detection speed. The company says objects being conveyed at high speed, small and flat objects, and jet black and shiny objects can be reliably detected over a high sensing range. It’s ...
-
Article
Airbag cutting solutions
Lectra says its new FocusQuantum airbag cutting solution combines high-performance laser cutters for one-piece woven (OPW) and flat airbags, as well as a purpose-built software suite and a full range of value-added professional services.The company claims the integrated software suite eliminates errors throughout the processes, from design to cutting. Following ...
-
ArticlePolymers with power
Composites are now being explored as alternative materials for engine-cylinder housings and may soon become mainstream – enabling the production of lighter-weight powertrains and more fuel-efficient vehiclesIn as little as three years, automotive engine housings made of polymer materials will start to enter the market as volume production items. That ...
-
Article
Deep draw hydroforming press
Beckwood Press says it has advanced its Triform sheet hydroforming product line with the introduction of several new deep draw models. The company claims the 20-10-10BD, 25-10-12BD and 32-10-12BD models offer improved cycle times resulting from updates to the pressure containment system.Beckwood says every new BD deep draw press comes ...
-
Article
Reimold to rule Porsche Production
Germany – Moving from his management responsibilities at the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, which also makes Porsche Cayenne bodies, Albrecht Reimold will become member of the executive board for Production and Logistics in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. He will replace Oliver Blume, who became chairman of the Porsche executive board in October, ...
-
Article
Interview: Markus Fallboehmer, BMW
Having joined the OEM’s Hams Hall team in January 2015, here the plant director discusses the scale of redevelopment which was recently completed to produce the next generation of Efficient Dynamics enginesAMS: Before coming to Hams Hall you worked for BMW in Germany. How are your previous experiences informing ...
-
ArticleEfficient, dynamic and flexible
As BMW Hams Hall ramps up its manufacture of next-generation engines, AMS becomes the first to take a look at its new production lines – installed as part of the OEM's £750m investment across UK facilities“Our new engine family of highly efficient, three-, four- and six-cylinder engines have a standard ...
-
Article
Hot forming aluminium
Following successful tests with high-strength alloys, Schuler says it is now developing hot forming of aluminium sheet for serial production. The company says this newly developed technology for hot forming of aluminium sheet enables the forming of complex shaped parts.With the aid of specially designed forming dies, Schuler claims ...
-
Article
Nissan Sunderland starts making Q30
UK – The manufacturing launch follows a £250m ($375m) investment in almost 40,000 sq.m of new facilities at the plant, including a fully automated bodyshop. The workforce has also been expanded by 300 personnel, including master craftspeople.The Q30 is Infiniti’s first compact model and its first vehicle to be manufactured ...
-
Article
Lightweight constant velocity joint
GKN Driveline says it has developed a new family of lightweight constant velocity joint (CV joint) systems that it claims enable rear-wheel drive platforms to save more than 4kg of weight.The new VL3 CV joint is claimed to increase torque capacity by up to 27% with no increase in packaging ...
-
ArticleFord prepares Kentucky for 2017 Super Duty
US – The OEM is spending $1.5 billion on a new bodyshop, facility upgrades and retooling to support production of the latest F-Series truck. The investment will also create 2,000 jobs.There are now five models in the Super Duty line-up: the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. The new ...
-
ArticleDoes 3D printing add up?
Additive manufacturing has long assisted prototyping, but OEMs are now exploring its uses in productionA hot topic for a number of years, it now appears that additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies are starting to be used more widely by a number of automotive OEMs. But while additive manufacturing has been ...
-
Article
Ford and UAW ratify new deal
US – The collective bargaining agreement, which covers around 53,000 United Auto Workers (UAW) employees, confirms $9 billion of investments at the OEM’s plants in the country and secures or creates 8,500 hourly jobs. Ford says the new arrangement provides several opportunities to improve its overall productivity.“This agreement enables us ...
-
ArticleBMW partners with Oxford Brookes University
UK – The university is now accepting applications for its BSc (Hons) Business and Automotive Management, which has been developed in collaboration with the OEM. The four-year course prepares students for a career in the automotive industry and is tailored to suit the needs of BMW as an employer.Students will ...
-
Article
Schuler to install press line at FAW-VW Qingdao
China – The company will supply a press line with ServoDirect technology and a servo tryout press, to fulfil an order valued in the double-digit, million-euro range. With a total force of 81,000kN, the servo press line will mainly be used to produce car body parts such as bonnets and ...
-
Article
New digital tools
Building on its MyTrumpf customer portal (www.uk.mytrumpf.com), Trumpf says it has introduced a number of new digital tools to help users get the best return from their machine investment.For smart phone and tablet users there are three new mobile apps. The BendGuide and PunchGuide apps enable machine operators to calculate ...
-
Article
Rapid drying metal process cleaner
Quaker Chemical has developed QUAKERCLEAN 680 VDA, a new fast drying process cleaner, which it claims delivers a consistent, imperceptible film that protects against corrosion.The company says this process cleaner is suitable for any application that requires minimal residue after the final wash process and will clean and protect ferrous ...
-
Article
Automated decorative strip system
AWL-Techniek says it has built a fully automated system for the assembly of decorative strips for car windows. In three stages, both the strips and assembly clips are provided with primer, hardener and glue. Each layer is checked separately for quality. After the clips have been mounted, the extensions for ...
-
ArticleBentley turns out first Bentayga
UK – The vehicle was handbuilt during 130 hours at the manufacturer’s Crewe plant, which will now begin full production. Deliveries will commence in January 2016.The Bentayga is part of a £840m ($1.3 billion) investment programme which has seen the creation of 1,500 jobs plus new facilities at Crew, including ...