Latest News & Features – Page 204
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ArticleFaurecia unveils plant in Brussels
Belgium – The just-in-time (JIT) facility, which opened in January, covers 9,000 sq.m within the Audi production park and delivers front and rear bumpers plus front-end modules for the Audi S1 and S1 Sportback.A Faurecia site in Germany handles the injection and painting of the bumpers and front-end module injection, ...
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ArticleAllies in automotive
The longstanding and complex partnership between Renault and Nissan grows stronger than ever beforeFounded back in 1999, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is the most enduring cross-shareholding partnership of the modern automotive era. The rather complex arrangement also involves Daimler; Renault and Nissan both hold a 50% stake in the Alliance’s legal ...
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ArticleRenault’s renewal
Under a new “Change” strategy, Renault is reorganising its manufacturing footprint and model allocationSince 1999, Renault has worked closely with Nissan in the Renault-Nissan Alliance. This co-operation has been immensely beneficial to Renault, giving the company access to a wide range of suppliers and platform technologies and, in recent times, ...
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ArticleMazda hits million-mark with SKYACTIV
Japan – Total production for the three full SKYACTIV models, the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3, reached 1,040,000 units at the end of March. The milestone was achieved two years and four months after manufacture of the CX-5 began in 2011.Mazda produces SKYACTIV vehicles in Japan, Mexico, Thailand and China ...
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ArticleTravel blog: Back to the future
Leipzig twice in as many weeks. What has lured me to this spot of Saxony so soon after my trip to see BMW’s revolutionary production of the all-electric, carbon fibre i3? While many who know me may disagree, it wasn’t the Leipziger lerchen, tempting though they may be.From speciality cuisine ...
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ArticleBASF expands production at Demarchi
Brazil – The chemicals company is investing €2.5m ($3.5m) at its site in the state of São Paulo to expand its capacity for waterborne automotive products, with the aim of meeting the requirements of carmakers which are now establishing themselves in the country.According to BASF, the move also fits with ...
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ArticleCMA and FAW begin Mazda3/6 production
China – Changan Mazda Automobile (CMA) is now making the new Mazda3 Axela in Nanjing, while FAW Car Co (FCC) is manufacturing the new Mazda6 Atenza in Changchun. The Chinese market launch for both models will take place in May this year.The beginning of production in China follows the recent ...
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ArticleMachining solutions for commercial vehicle components
EMAG says it has developed its VL 8 vertical pick-up turning machine specially for the handling of large components, where a number of different turning and milling operations are carried out within the framework of a single close-loop production process. The VL 8 allows for a variety of production technologies ...
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ArticleStuds for thin metal assemblies
PEM self-clinching threaded studs offer a practical alternative to weld studs or other joining methods claims the company. The product line-up includes types of flush-head studs for use in aluminium or steel sheets down to .040”/1mm thickness and stainless versions offering corrosion resistance in even thinner stainless steel assemblies. ...
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ArticleRenault makes 1millionth Duster
France – The total is a combination of Dacia and Renault-branded vehicles produced worldwide and has been achieved four years after launch. The milestone vehicle was made at the Renault plant in Curitiba, Brazil, for the local market.The Duster is assembled at five locations: Curitiba, Brazil; Envigado, Colombia; Pitesti, Romania; ...
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ArticleLaser welding: Filling the gaps
Now well-established in automotive, laser welding continues to develop and become more widely applied The increased use of high-strength steels (HSS) and aluminium has added further complications to the welding process. “The biggest challenges we face are the design and material changes driven by the CAFE requirements that are driving ...
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ArticleShop floor measuring machine
The TIGO SF 3D-coordinate measuring machine (CMM) has been specifically designed for use on the shop floor, says Hexagon Metrology. This CMM is suitable for a wide range of small and medium size parts from all industrial sectors, claims the company, and offers a measuring volume of 500 x 580 ...
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ArticleSimple wiring in the control cabinet
Siemens’ says it has expanded its Simatic Top Connect portfolio with a range of new modules and system components for fast and safe wiring of Simatic S7-1500 and Simatic ET 200MP. As well as connection modules for eight channels (inputs or outputs), the company says it is now offering compact ...
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ArticleGM ploughs $449m into electrification
US – The vehicle-maker will upgrade its facilities at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and Brownstown Battery Assembly plants in Michigan in preparation for the next generation of electric vehicles and advanced battery technologies.The investment is the largest GM has made to date at the two facilities, with the majority ($384m) heading ...
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Article150,000th Auman truck leaves BFDA
China – The 50:50 joint venture between Daimler and Foton Motor, Beijin Foton Daimler Automotive (BFDA), made the milestone vehicle two years after production began.Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the board of management of Daimler with responsibility for Daimler Trucks and Buses, added: “The production anniversary underlines that Daimler Trucks is ...
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ArticleMagna Closures grows in Dortec
Canada – The latching technology division of Magna International is expanding its manufacturing facility to produce electronic systems and modules for the automotive industry. The $1.5m investment will also boost the workforce by 75 personnel.Manufacturing activities at the site will focus on electronic closure modules for power closure and roof ...
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ArticleDaimler breaks ground at Sebes transmissions site
Romania – The upcoming assembly plant will handle the new Mercedes-Benz 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission from 2016. The total investment at Sebes, amounting to €300m ($414m), will involve the creation of a 500-strong workforce.Automatic transmissions for Mercedes-Benz are manufactured in the production network operated by the OEM’s Untertürkheim plant in ...
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ArticleInterview with Renault's EVP, Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Jose-Vicente De Los Mozos Obispo, head of worldwide Manufacturing for Renault, RSM & Dacia, discusses plans for production plants in Europe and further afield, including China Glenn Brooks (GB): Could you give an overview of the Renault Group’s European manufacturing operations? Jose-Vicente De Los Mozos Obispo (J-V O): We have ...
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ArticleBASF and TODA partner for Li-ion battery materials
Japan – The two companies will establish a joint venture focused on the production, marketing and sales of the cathode active materials (CAM) used for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in electric vehicles (EVs). This will include nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (NCA), lithium manganese oxide (LMO) and nickel cobalt manganese (NCM).Under the ...
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Article
Schlemmer buys majority share of HOPPE
Germany – The acquisition of the 75% stake, which was formally agreed in March, sees the Schlemmer Group growing to comprise 20 companies and 23 manufacturing sites. Schlemmer will integrate the product segment of the injection-moulding specialist into its own portfolio, leveraging common ground in the area of air and ...