Latest News & Features – Page 186
-
ArticleAlabama: A sweet home for Honda
The OEM's Lincoln plant has upgraded its powertrain and stamping capabilities with greater automation Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) was selected to make the Acura MDX, which is the most technical product built at the plant. Classed as a light-truck facility, HMA builds three models: Odyssey, Pilot and MDX.The plant ...
-
ArticleBMW pilots Google's 'smart' eyewear
US – The pioneering project at the OEM’s Spartanburg plant, South Carolina, is aimed at determining whether wearable technology can enhance workflows in quality assurance. The Google Glass devices are intended to improve communication between quality testers at the analysis centre for pre-series production and development engineers.The smart glasses enable ...
-
ArticleCan steel keep its edge?
The ArcelorMittal finishing plant at Calvert, Alabama, is claimed to be one of the most advanced in the world – supplying the automotive industry in North America with the latest high-strength steelsArcelorMittal's Calvert plant is relatively new, built in 2009 and originally owned by ThyssenKrupp. ArcelorMittal and joint venture partner ...
-
ArticleBenecke-Kaliko expands interior foils production
Germany – The company has acquired two plants from Mecaseat Group of Belgium. Backdated to November 1, Mecaseat’s Spanish subsidiary, Gorvi, in Pamplona and the Polish Mecapol in Wagrowiec has become 100% owned by Benecke-Kaliko. The two plants employ 150 workers; all jobs will be maintained.“We didn't just want to ...
-
ArticleComposites: On good form
An array of composite materials are now available to vehicle-makers, each with special properties and production processes; but challenges remain in the cost and speed of manufacture – plus recyclabilityAlthough the advantages of polymer composites are well known in the automotive industry, their use has been impeded by high material ...
-
ArticleDirect drive robotic arms
Igus has expanded its range of its modular robolink systemswith the introduction of the the robolink D direct drive articulated arm. The company says this is a more durable solution compared with remote drive versions. This new robolink is driven by a worm gear drive and a NEMA 17 or ...
-
ArticleMonitoring magnetic clamping force
The latest development from ROEMHELD M-TECS‘ magnetic clamping plates is called Force Evaluation System (FES). The company says the function of FES is to constantly monitor the working cycle of injection moulding machines for plastic materials. The system has been developed to operate with a touchscreen operator interface and tablet. ...
-
ArticleReporting & analysis software
COPA-DATA has developed a new version of its reporting and analysis software, zenon Analyzer 2.20. According to the company development of the new software focused on three issues: close interaction with other database systems, allowing users to connect databases from third parties and use the respective data for reporting and ...
-
Article
TRUMPF DEC 2 - REG FORM TEST
First Name: * Last Name: * Email Address: * Address: * City: * Country: *Choose one...CanadaChinaFranceGermanyIndiaItalyRussian FederationUnited KingdomUnited States of America AlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia-HerzegowinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman ...
-
ArticlePorsche progresses at Zuffenhausen
Germany – The structural work and erection of steel girders for the new 10,000 sq.m facility will be completed by the end of the year. By the start of 2016, the two-storey plant will include a state-of-the-art assembly line with logistics areas and engine testing technology. The workforce will number ...
-
ArticleWheeler and Parker take Nissan regional roles
US – Having previously served as regional vice-presidents, Judy Wheeler and Randy Parker will now take the titles of vice-president, Nissan Southeast Region, and vice-president, Nissan West Region, respectively. Both will continue to report to Fred Diaz, senior vice-president, US sales and marketing and operations.Nissan said that, in addition, the ...
-
ArticleECS completes expansion with new CNC machine
UK – The workshop in Northamptonshire has installed a new Haas VF2SSYT three-axis CNC machine, which can rapidly manufacture metallic or plastic parts up to 760mm in length, courtesy of its 12,000rpm spindle, high feed rates and tool change capability. Now fully operational, the unit will complement the company’s existing ...
-
ArticleMake way for X-ray
X-ray systems can be used in automotive to enhance quality control and traceability while reducing waste The ability of X-ray radiation to penetrate engineering materials permits inspection systems to image and measure hidden features. The automotive industry uses this technology as part of a growing need for Six Sigma quality ...
-
ArticleNew F-150 production gets underway
US – The first unit of the 2015 model rolled off the line at the Ford Rouge Center in Detroit, a facility which has been updated with modern manufacturing technology to build the aluminium-bodied pick-up truck.Ford’s Dearborn Diversified, Stamping and Tool & Die facilities have been equipped with new press ...
-
ArticleTechnology for treading carefully
The latest automated solutions can solve barcode reading and inspection challenges in tyre manufacturing Tracking and traceability are primary requirements for all tyre manufacturers. For quality control and compliance purposes, tyres are tracked at every step of the production process. However, black rubber is hardly a material that lends itself ...
-
ArticleHitachi Metals buys Waupaca Foundry
US – The materials development and technology company today completed its acquisition of the ductile iron and gray iron castings producer which is headquartered in Wisconsin.With three plants in Waupaca (Wisconsin), plus one site each in Marinette (Wisconsin), Tell City (Indiana) and Etowah (Tennessee), Waupaca Foundry melts more than ...
-
ArticleEnvisioning automation
The latest high-speed, high-functionality cameras are in demand to help automate vehicle productionAlthough the idea of a robot with ‘eyes’ sounds futuristic, the International Federation of Robotics confirms that as long ago as 1980, vision technology helped a robot to pick a randomly orientated component from a tray. The demonstration ...
-
ArticleRenault inaugurates plant in Oran
Algeria – Oued Tlelat has opened with one production line and an annual capacity of 25,000 vehicles, but a second phase currently under consideration could see an increase to 75,000 units per year, plus closer integration of suppliers and the establishment of body and paint facilities.The new Renault Symbol will ...
-
ArticleInfiniti makes first Chinese Q50L
China – Rolling off the assembly line at Xiangyang Plant in Hubei, the vehicle pioneered the long-wheelbase version of the Q50 premium sports saloon which is the first Infiniti model dedicated to the local market.“Today we are here to witness Infiniti’s big step forward in China,” said Daniel Kirchert, president ...
-
ArticleSouth America special issue
The first in our series of regional supplements covering the most important automotive markets in the world is now available online in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese. This special edition provides in-depth information about the activities of key OEMs and tier suppliers in South America, and how they ...