Latest News & Features – Page 88
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ArticleSteel makes a strong case
With the push for powertrain electrification gaining strength producers of high-strength steel are preparing themselves to capitalise reports James Bakewell In 2017, global sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) reached 1.3m units, according to Frédéric Painchault, head of Global Automotive Marketing at steelmaker ...
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ArticleVW's Wolfsburg plant wins award
Germany - The facility has won the Automotive Lean Production Award for the first time. The award was presented by Automobil Produktion and Agamus Consult, and according to Volkswagen, it represents the significant changes that have been implemented at Wolfsburg over the past few years."The team has genuinely earned this ...
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ArticleAudi starts motor production
Hungary - The German OEM has started series production of electric motors at its facility in Győr. An expansion to the existing plant was made to house motor production, covering a space of 8,500 sq.m."Audi Hungaria has been involved in writing the growth story of the Four Rings for 25 ...
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ArticleUniversal tap
The Garant MasterTap is a new universal tap from Hoffman. The company says this tool is suitable for use with a wide range of materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and cast iron.The company claims the tap features a new geometry as well as optimised flutes, which it’s said ...
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ArticleThermal management for EV batteries
Henkel claims its thermal interface materials (TIMs) provide effective management of heat generated during charging and operation of the battery system. The company says that its Bergquist Gap Pad 1450 offers a solution to move heat away from Li-I cells and is suitable for fragile applications.According to Henkel its Bergquist ...
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ArticleMaterials handling transfer point solutions
Flexco says it offers a number of splicing and transfer point solutions to optimise belt conveyor performance. These include segmented transfer plates, which the company says are designed to accommodate both large and small gaps between transfers. It’s claimed the plates prevent product and foreign object debris from jamming in ...
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ArticleControlling charge pressure
Pierburg says its newly engineered wastegate actuator allows direct activation of the wastegate valve by being mounted on the hot turbine housing. It’s claimed thermal insulation from the housing, combined with efficient temperature control of the coolant prevents the actuator overheating under all operating conditions.The company says the high level ...
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ArticleFoam system simulation tool
The Ultrasim simulation tool has been developed so that it can now predict the foaming and curing of the flexible integral foam system Elastofoam I for car steering wheels, says BASF. It’s claimed to offer detailed simulation that allows chemical reactions as well as the flow behaviour of the polyurethane ...
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ArticleNew versions for machining centre range
Its SwissDeco machines are now available for different bar diameters says Tornos. The SwissDeco 26 has been designed for a maximum bar diameter of 25.4mm while the 36 model has a maximum bar capacity of 36mm. The company says that while both machines have the same machine base, each spindle ...
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ArticleEV transmission
BorgWarner says its eGearDrive transmission has been designed for the emerging high-volume electric vehicle market and is featured in First Automotive Works (FAW) Group’s Besturn B30EV and Junpai A70E.The company says this transmission features an efficient helical gear train that offers quiet performance and it’s claimed can handle high input ...
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ArticleMass-spectroscopy instrument
Versaperm claims it has developed a new multi-chamber mass-spectroscopy based instrument that allows OEMs to identify and correct problems by measuring permeability for water vapour, air and hydrocarbons, and any other gas as well. The company says this system works on both complex components and assemblies as well as on ...
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ArticlePSA and Nissan exploring new ground
An interesting news report caught my eye recently; the article suggested that PSA – whose Chinese plants are operating well below capacity – will lease one of its factories in China to Nissan later this summer. The report suggested that the factory and its workforce will move to Nissan in ...
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ArticleISO indexable inserts
Mapal says it is presenting a new series of cutting materials for ISO indexable inserts, as well as “press-to-size” inserts for the boring of steel, stainless steel and heat-resistant cast steel. The company claims it has developed optimum coatings on its in-house coating line and also optimised the carbide substrate ...
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ArticleLaser marking system
The CombiLine Basic is a floor standing, laser marking workstation featuring an integrated laser marker and smart operation technology, says Coherent Rofin. The company points out that this system can be equipped with a selection of laser sources (such as fibre and solid-state) in different power ranges and wavelengths for ...
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ArticleStandardised CNC control
Mazak says its latest machine to feature a Siemens CNC is its VTC-760C vertical travelling column machining centre, which is controlled by the new Siemens 828D control. The company says the VTC-760C is powered by a 12,000rpm spindle and offers rapid traverse rates of 42m/min in the X-, Y- and ...
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ArticleFibre laser for part marking
Foba claims its new 100-Watt fibre laser (Y.1000) allows for marking substrates that are usually difficult to mark with lower powered lasers. The company says the unit’s design allows for simple integration into existing production lines and is suitable for marking and engraving automobile components, offering long-term legibility throughout the ...
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ArticleVW’s Navarra plant to build T-Cross
Spain – The news that the Spanish VW plant, which has produced the Polo since 1984, will build a second model for the first time in its history, was announced by Dr. Andreas Tostmann, head of Volkswagen Production & Logistics. The new T-Cross compact SUV will share its matrix with ...
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ArticleNew VP to lead Nissan Canton
USA – Nissan has announced senior management changes at its Canton, Mississippi facility. Effective 1st September 2018, Philip Calhoun will take over as vice president Manufacturing at the plant. Calhoun will be based in Canton and report to Heath Holtz, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Nissan ...
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ArticleInverted metallurgical microscope
Olympus says its new GX53 inverted metallurgical microscope features MIX observation for clear imaging of structures and surface features, an LED light source for true-to-life images with consistent colour temperature, and coded hardware enabling faster inspections and improved productivity.The company states that GX53 also features the latest version of Stream ...
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ArticleApp for robot control operations
PickAPP is an Android application for an 8-10-inch tablet, configured with graphical operations which Comau claims improves the overall user experience. The company says the App enables anyone familiar with smartphones to be able to move a robot and create a pick and place process by preparing a list of ...