Latest News & Features – Page 89
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ArticleParting-off system
Sandvik Coromant claims a new blade for its CoroCut QD parting-off system, when used combination with new process methodology, improves the tool’s stability by realigning the resultant cutting force.The company says its engineers have developed a solution that takes advantage of capability in modern turning centres and multi-task machines to ...
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ArticleThermosetting adhesive tapes
tesa’s claims its reactive HAF thermosetting adhesive tapes have been designed for use in creating compact lightweight designs that reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The company says these tapes feature an adhesive layer that contains nitrile rubber and a phenolic resin, and when heated a chemical reaction is started that ...
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ArticlePhotoelectric smart sensors
The W16 and W26 proximity, reflex and through-beam sensors include Sick’s new BluePilot assistant, which the company says features five top-mounted LEDS for quick and accurate alignment of the sensor’s light spot. The BluePilot combines a potentiometer and teach-in button, which are claimed to simplify set up, range assessment and ...
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ArticleManipulation of heavy workpieces
Roemheld says the articulated arms on its new Centrick manipulator allow workpieces of any shape weighing up to 2 tonnes to be continuously rotated and tilted by up to 90°.The company claims this latest addition to the Modulog range is ergonomic and space saving, and it moves components close to ...
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ArticleSelf-piercing earth stud
The new KSB earthing stud from Profil is self-piercing, removing the need for additional processes involved in either welding studs into place or having to drill holes and then bolt them on, claims the company. Also, with material thicknesses being reduced to save weight, the company says the use of ...
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ArticleLow reaction tool range
Atlas Copco says it has developed a range of ‘Low Reaction’ (LRT) handheld tools designed for assembly operations. The company claims this new line-up of battery and DC-powered tools has been developed to improve both operator ergonomics and factory optimisation.Part of this development is the Transducer Battery Pulse (TBP) based ...
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Article4th gen A-Class at Valmet Automotive
Finland – Having built the previous A-Class generation, the Finnish contract manufacturer said that only limited changes were needed at its Uusikaupunki plant to produce the new A-Class. The bodyshop has seen the most upgrades, where all manual workstations are now automated, increasing the number of body shop robots to ...
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ArticleBMW & Great Wall in electric vehicle JV
China – BMW Group and Great Wall Motor have signed an agreement to produce MINI electric vehicles through a new 50:50 joint venture based in China. This new joint venture, “Spotlight Automotive Limited”, will also produce electric vehicles for Great Wall, and the partners intend to build a new state-of-the-art ...
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ArticleHeading for the clouds
Steed Webzell scrutinises the technologies currently available to assist those wanting to digitise their machining processesMajor machine tool OEMs are upping their game when it comes to digitalisation. “Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is not just a gimmick, as some would have you believe, but a cornerstone of advanced manufacturing,” states Matthias ...
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ArticleJack of all trades
Ford Otosan’s Inönü plant houses an unusual production mix, and is taking on more projects. Michael Nash investigatesInönü is a small, sleepy town in north-west Turkey. The nearest city, Eskisehir, is a 40-minute drive away and is populated by young students who attend its two universities. Aside from an array ...
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ArticleA slow return to growth
Vehicle-makers in South America are seeing signs of recovery, boosted by growing exports, reports Nick Gibbs
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ArticleCollective thinking
Closer collaboration between product development and production teams could lead to significant improvements in vehicle manufacturing processes. Ford Otosan holds a unique position. Michael Nash reports The scenery in Turkey is full of surprises. A quick car journey can lead to towering mountains, pristine beaches and lush forests, while historical ...
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ArticleA future European giant?
New models and increased market share: Ian Henry reports on PSA’s improving fortunes under Carlos Tavares’ leadershipWhen Carlos Tavares arrived at PSA from Renault in 2014, he set about turning around the loss-making company. His plan, embodied under the strapline ‘Back in the Race’, aimed to restore PSA to profitability, ...
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ArticleGaining PACE!
Groupe PSA’s acquisition of GM’s loss-making European operations raised a few eyebrows. Ian Henry looks at the plan to turn around the Opel/Vauxhall brandsAfter several months of due diligence, the deal was completed on August 1, 2017. Come early November, a new strategy, PACE!, was announced. Having been making a ...
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ArticleA little goes a long way
Gareth Price visits Groupe PSA's plant at Mangualde, Portugal – a factory with a famous 2CV heritage but a secure LCV futureEarlier this year, Groupe PSA announced its plant in Mangualde, northern Portugal, would take on a third shift for its Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo production lines. The move ...
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ArticleTesla 'on track' with 3 production
The mass production of electric vehicles (EVs) could have enormous impacts on the automotive industry. With economies of scale comes cost reduction - and the high upfront price of models currently on the market has been slated as one of the most influential factors on their low uptake to date.Tesla ...
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ArticleVW starts assembly in Kigali
Rwanda - The OEM has unveiled plans to expand its activities in Africa. As well as launching an app-based car- and ride-sharing scheme, it has started assembling the latest generations of its Polo and Passat models at a facility in Kigali - Rwanda's capital city."Rwanda has great potential," noted Thomas ...
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ArticleRobot mounted ultrasonics
Telsonic says its ultrasonic modules and systems are designed to be applied in a number of ways. The company offers the example of mounting a Telsonic converter and sonotrode arrangement to a robot wrist.The robot-mounted system incorporates ambient and chilled air-cooling to allow repetitive welding on polymer materials and says ...
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ArticleUniversal compliance compensator
The new U1-050 Universal Compliance Compensator from ATI Industrial Automation is said to combine a variety of features making it adaptable to tasks such as automated assembly, bin picking, loading and unloading machines and robotic finishing.The company claims the unit’s mechanism is suitable for high-endurance applications and offers simultaneous X-Y ...
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ArticleSimulation-driven design software
Altair has released its Inspire 2018 simulation-driven design software. The company says features of this new version include generating optimised lattice and mixed solid structures, visualising simulation results in 3D and exporting lattice designs in .stl file format for 3D printing.Other new features include design for additive manufacturing with overhang ...