Latest News & Features – Page 162
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ArticleVW CEO resigns
Germany – Martin WinterKorn has resigned as CEO of the Volkswagen Group after it was revealed that the company had installed a system on certain diesel engines in the US designed to deliver false emission test results. Prof. Dr. WinterKorn issued the following statement:“I am shocked by the events of ...
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ArticleDual control electric circulating pumps
Graco has provided Audi with three E-Flo DC dual control electric circulating pumps for the OEM’s paintshop at the Neckersulm plant. Audi wanted to use the same type of pump to handle the three sensitive paint products they were using.Graco says it’s solution was to integrate the three E-Flo ...
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ArticleSelf-clinching blind nuts
PEM self-clinching blind nuts permanently install into thin metal sheets to provide reliable and re-usable metal threads, and completing final component attachment in an assembly, says PennEngineering. Their closed-end design protects the nut’s threads against foreign matter and potential damage to internal components from mating screws.The company says the carbon ...
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ArticlePower source for robot-assisted welding
Fronius says its engineers have drawn on the power source's digital system architecture and new communication technology features to cover and address all the major influencing factors crucial to the welding process with high definition and reaction speed. The result is a very stable arc and optimum welding results, claims ...
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ArticleMercedes invests $1.3 billion at Tuscaloosa
USA – This investment will expand the German carmaker’s SUV production in the US and create 300 new jobs. The plant will assemble the company’s next SUV generations including the hybrid versions.The expansion includes a new 125,000 sq.m bodyshop which will feature the latest lightweight technologies and joining processes. The ...
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ArticleDry cleaning without compressed air
The EcoCVac, from Dürr Ecoclean offers an effective dry cleaning system that eliminates the need for compressed air. The equipment relies on the newly developed vacuum suction technology. This ensures that contaminants are removed not just from the part but also from the work chamber within 1.5 to 3 seconds ...
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ArticleSoftware optimises on-machine probing cycles
Renishaw says its Inspection Plus SupaTouch enhanced software package automatically optimises on-machine measurement cycles to minimise cycle time and maximise productivity.The company claims the software features an easy-to-use optimisation process to automatically determine and select the highest feedrates a machine tool can achieve whilst maintaining measurement accuracy. It also uses ...
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ArticleIntegrating electrification
OEMs face the challenge of assimilating a growing number of electric vehicles and assemblies into their production operations. Volkswagen and Renault have each taken the plunge with the e-up! and the ZoeFive kilometres from the heart of the Slovakian capital, on the north bank of the Danube, is the Volkswagen ...
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ArticleThe view from Frankfurt
Every other year, the automotive industry’s European movers and shakers convene in Frankfurt to gaze in admiration at the latest offerings and future concepts, particularly from the German brands. This year, despite the looming worry over what China’s slowdown might mean, the European car companies did not disappoint, with a ...
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ArticleNissan's A-team in Mexico
As the Japanese OEM adds new facilities for Infiniti and Mercedes production at its complex in the north-central state of Aguascalientes, AMS examines the reasons behind the long-standing success of this operationNissan is close to hitting capacity in Mexico again thanks to the continuing success of its Aguascalientes manufacturing complex ...
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ArticleDaimler and Renault-Nissan celebrate alliance
Germany – At the Frankfurt International Motor Show, the two companies said their collaboration had “accelerated and strengthened” as it entered its sixth year in 2015, with Renault-Nissan chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn describing it as “one of the most productive in the auto industry”. Daimler’s chairman, Dieter Zetsche, added: ...
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ArticleEVolution
As the EV market expands, some vehicle-makers are experimenting with different powertrain technologiesThe global EV market these days is worth big money – over $73 billion in 2014 and expected to reach about $109.8 billion by 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5% from 2014 to 2019. There ...
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Honda hits 30m vehicles in North America
US – The OEM started production at Marysville, Ohio, in 1982 and has since established plants in Canada and Mexico as well as the US. Today it has eight North American manufacturing locations, accounting for 97% of the Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the region. The 30m cumulative production ...
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ArticleLightweight Vehicle Manufacturing
UK – The inaugural joining, forming and assembly summit will take place in Birmingham on November 18-19 2015, as part of the GALM series of events. Taking place over three continents, the previous ten shows have attracted the support of 150 exhibitors and 1,500 delegates, according to the organisers.The event ...
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ArticleMercedes: At home in Alabama
The first full Mercedes-Benz plant outside Germany continues to prosper, with multiple expansions and the recent addition of the C-Class and GLE Coupe. AMS reviews the manufacturing operation at TuscaloosaFounded in 1995, Tuscaloosa was the first full production plant for Mercedes-Benz outside Germany and marked the initial step in the ...
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ArticleLDT: GM's Delta force
As GM splashes the cash across North America, AMS goes to see $583m worth of improvements to the OEM’s newest factory in the region – including a new bodyshop capable of mixed-material joining methodsLansing Delta Township (LDT) in Michigan is General Motors’ newest plant in North America, opened in 2006 ...
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ArticleInterview: GM's Mike Trevorrow
The regional plant manager for the OEM's two plants in Lansing talks about its $583m investment for a new bodyshop at Delta Township – including $520m of equipment for mixed-material joining technologiesMike Trevorrow, regional plant manager, GM LansingAMS: How important is Lansing Delta Township within GM’s North American production network?Mike ...
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ArticleFord, Alcoa collaborate on aluminium
US – The OEM had already selected Alcoa’s Micromill product for its aluminium-bodied 2016 F-150 pick-up truck, but the two companies have now also entered a joint development agreement to expand the range of next-generation aluminium alloys for automotive components.Micromill was made public in December 2014 and is claimed to ...
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ArticleForming in the hot seat
A number of recent innovations are boosting the capabilities of hot forming/press hardening operationsA number of innovations have come to market recently that push press hardening to new levels of performance. Schuler, for instance, has unveiled what it describes as a pressure-controlled hardening process to help improve costs and energy ...
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ArticleKeeping it clean
As OEMs take their sustainability campaigns to the next level, AMS reports on three of those which have been recognised for their efforts by the US Environmental Protection Agency – Toyota, GM and NissanToyota’s twin pioneersThe Japanese OEM has two model plants for sustainability and energy efficiency in North America: ...