Latest News & Features – Page 77
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ArticleHonda closure deals blow to UK
Honda has announced plans to close its Swindon plant at the end of the current model’s production lifecycle in 2021. The statement, which was published on the company’s website, refers to the changing nature of the global auto industry and Honda’s “commitment to electrified cars” as the main reasons behind ...
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ArticleVW sets out Wolfsburg upgrade
Germany - New bodyshop AGVs, more automated assembly stations and a series of ergonomic measures will feature in a major upgrade at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant Announcing the new programme of improvements at this month’s site symposium, VW said that the changes will improve productivity at the Wolfsburg plant and will ...
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ArticleCorolla confidence
Upgrade and investments at Burnaston see Toyota start production of the new Corolla in the UK, despite all the turmoil of Brexit The UK secretary of state for business, Greg Clark, and the straight-taking Japanese ambassador to the UK, Koji Tsuruoka, joined local dignitaries, business leaders and Toyota executives in ...
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ArticleIs Korea set to become a low-cost country?
In what may be a portentous move for the industry, Hyundai has chosen to try to revive its domestic fortunes by opening the first new car factory to be built in Korea for over 20 years; what is intriguing about this move is that the workers in this plant will ...
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ArticleIn our next issue...
Coming soon in our March-April issue… >> The Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance – We report on manufacturing operations as the OEM’s longstanding partnership faces testing times of scandal and corporate upheaval >> Japan – How are Japan’s OEMs faring at home as they intensify supply to their own domestic market? ...
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ArticleLow heat input welding
The Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding process reduces the heat input in comparison to other MIG/MAG processes, claims Fronius. This uses a digital process control, which automatically detects short circuits and then helps to detach the droplet by retracting the wire; during welding, the wire moves forward and is pulled ...
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ArticleNew foam for instrument panels
A new series of systems in its Elastoflex E product group now allows weight reductions and foam densities of around 120g/L without sacrificing any of the material characteristics, claims BASF. Up to 30% of the foam weight is saved, says the company, depending on the component geometry. This Thin-Light system ...
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ArticleProduction resource for e-drive modules
Henkel’s says it offers a range of solutions for the manufacturing of e-drives including Loctite AA 5820, which the company says is suitable to provide a reliable seal of multi-substrates or any flange design of e-drive housings. For stator coil potting applications, it offers a two-component epoxy, Loctite PE 8082, ...
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ArticleIndustrial suction spray gun
The 4100 Xtreme suction spray gun has been developed to paint larger surface areas commonly associate with commercial and general industrial applications, such as machinery, truck chassis and trailers, says Sagola. The gun’s nozzles and needles come in two variants, 1.6 and 1.8 that deliver fine and heavy atomisation respectively ...
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ArticleApp style control for servo press
Schuler says it has designed the control of its new MSP 400 servo press in the style of a smartphone app. The company says the Smart Assist software guides the operator through the setup process, supported using small videos and text modules, and it’s claimed the electronic assistant optimises the ...
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ArticleElectronic actuators
An integrated electromechanical actuator for multi-speed electric axles and an integrated parking lock actuator for ICE, hybrid and electric powertrains have been developed by Schaeffler.The electric axle actuator (EAA) will go into volume production this year and is said to be based on the proven active interlock transmission actuator with ...
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ArticlePneumatic workpiece ejector
The new vario flex pneumatic workpiece ejector allows for the ejector depth to be adjusted flexibly by means of a retaining mechanism, and positioned in the machine exactly as required for the workpiece, claims Hainbuch. It can also be used as a basic end stop for coolant wash or air ...
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ArticlePSA juggles engines and motors
Engine manufacturing facilities around the world are changing. Pressure from governments and changes to legislation are pushing carmakers to develop new internal combustion engines (ICEs), the production of which often requires new assembly lines and equipment. More of these facilities are also starting to ...
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ArticleEmbedded 3D image processing
Vision Components claims its VCnano3D-Z-series, 3D laser scanners are compact and can be easily integrated into OEM applications. The scanners are said to feature a dual-core ARM processor and an FPGA, which calculates a point cloud in order to determine line coordinates in laser triangulation. The company says the laser ...
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ArticleFord and VW confirm their alliance; and raise questions …
Ford CEO Jim Hackett, VW COE Herbert Diess After months of rumours and speculation, Ford and Volkswagen have announced an alliance which would begin with the co-development and production of vans and pick-ups; it offers the prospect of wider forms of co-operation, in other segments, electric technology ...
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ArticleAutomotive BIW clamping solutions
Destaco claims that when its latest VV85G Series precision guides are used in conjunction with its power clamp, pin clamp and pin packages, they offer users increased operational reliability in applications such as sheet-metal welding for automotive body-in-white.These guide units have the same mounting-hole pattern as the company’s power-clamp products ...
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ArticleVision-guided part localisation systems
The PLOC2D and PLB 520 are 2D and 3D vision-guided part localisation systems from SICK. The company says these are designed for the set-up of robot picking from a belt, bin or stillage, and are suitable for both cobots and conventional industrial robots.The PLOC2D vision system provides 2D localisation of ...
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ArticleRemote monitor for automatic lubrication systems
SKF says its LRM2 lubrication remote monitor is compatible with oil or grease and designed for use with lubrication systems that cannot undergo daily checks due to the nature or position of the application. The company says this system can be used on single-line, dual-line and progressive lubrication systems and ...
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ArticleAdjustable side milling cutter
The milling body on its new side milling cutter features a central sleeve that enables the required groove width to be adjusted on a pre-setter, says Paul Horn.The company says it offers two body types, the first having a cutting edge diameter of 100mm is equipped with 14 type 406 ...