Latest News & Features – Page 99
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ArticleMaterial matters
New developments in polycarbonate in automotive applications offer a glimpse of the future Covestro's electric concept car includes polycarbonate wrap-around glazingDesigned in 1967 Covestro’s (then Bayer) K67 showcased how plastics could be used to create a stylish performance car. Fifty years later specialist materials supplier opened the doors at ...
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ArticleAdhesive tape solution
An electric car’s battery generates heat and voltage that needs to be shielded to ensure user safety, so tesa says it has produced a double-sided tape and special film that ensures no power surges can occur, with batteries having the ability to be wrapped in non-flammable products withstanding temperatures of ...
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ArticleFuturistic assembly at 'Factory 56'
Mercedes-Benz is building a new vehicle assembly facility that will act as a blueprint for the future development of all its production sites. Michael Nash reports Assembly of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class at the company's Sindelfingen plantMercedes-Benz has long been a champion of flexible and efficient manufacturing techniques, carrying out numerous ...
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ArticleMore to follow
With Honda reporting record volume figures for the full calendar year 2017, Ian Henry takes a region-by-region look at how the company is reacting The third biggest Japanese car company after Toyota and Nissan, Honda has especially strong positions in North America, China and much of Asia outside Japan; it ...
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ArticleContinental to build 48v plant
China - The German tier 1 supplier has just announced the start of a new joint venture (JV) with Chinese battery manufacturer Sichuan Chengfei Integration Technology (CITC). The companies will focus on the development and production of 48-volt (48v) systems for the passenger car market."Entering the 48v battery systems business ...
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ArticleNew stainless steel
The new ferritic stainless steel UGIMA 4509 offers the automotive industry more efficient machinability and better corrosion and oxidation resistance, claims Ugitech. The company says this new stainless steel is suited to different methods of working, such as machining, cold heading and welding and is also heat and corrosion resistant.Applications ...
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ArticleTracking and training
Digital technologies are providing new training solutions for the automotive industry. Nick Holt reportsEye tracking systems are now being successfully used to create training programs that reduce errors in manufacturing operations. Mike Bartel, senior research developer at Tobii Pro Insights provided an overview of what this technology offers: “Eye tracking ...
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ArticleSEAT appoints new production head
Spain - The OEM has made Christian Vollmer its new Vice President for production and logistics. He was previously the technical executive Vice President of Saic Volkswagen - a joint venture that was formed by the two companies back in 1984, and which now operates one of the largest vehicle ...
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ArticleAluminium allegiance
Industry analysts are predicting a growth phase for aluminium content in the vehicle material mix. AMS reports on the new grades and applications that underpin this claim
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Articlethyssenkrupp opens production facility
Hungary - The material and component supplier has spent around €100m (US$123.12m) on the construction of a new production site for chassis and powertrain components. Situated in Jászfényszaru, Hungary, the plant will serve both German and international vehicle manufacturers, and is expected to employ around 500 people."In recent years Hungary ...
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Articlei8 Roadster enters production at Leipzig
Germany - BMW has started the production of its i8 Roadster two months ahead of market launch. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is being made at the company's Leipzig plant in Germany, which also produces the BMW 1 and 2 Series as well as the i3. The updated i8 ...
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ArticleJoined-up thinking
The welding of plastics and other non-metallic materials is now well established as a fabrication technique for automotive componentsThe welding of non-metallic materials is frequently used to create parts such as cabin consoles, lights and mirror assemblies, intake manifolds and fluid reservoirs, including fuel tanks. However, despite being a common ...
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ArticleA race for third place
India’s vehicle sales are booming to the benefit of a handful of established manufacturers, but it’s still a tricky market for those on the sidelinesLast year, India’s passenger vehicle market cracked 3m units for the first time, up 9% on 2016, according to data from Swedish analyst firm AID. That ...
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ArticleHonda marks production milestone
US - It was the first Japanese OEM to make cars in the US when production began at the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio back in 1982. Since then, Honda has established four other plants across the country, and has recently recorded its best ever annual sales figure at 1,641,429 ...
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ArticleToyota announces Auris production
UK - The third generation Auris will be built at Toyota Manufacturing UK's (TMUK) plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. Established in 1989, the facility was recently upgraded with a £240m (US$330m) investment to house the production of vehicles based on the OEM's new global architecture (TNGA) platform."Producing TNGA-based vehicles locally is ...
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ArticleLightweighting with laser-welded blanks
The latest generation of steels brings new opportunities for OEMs Laser-welded blanks (LWB) give automotive engineers the chance to design lightweight parts that ensure the right steel is in the right place for safety and performance. Combining LWBs with new hot-stamping grades, such as Usibor 2000 and Ductibor ...
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ArticleSteel going strong
ArcelorMittal provides an insight into how the trend of electrification will impact steel demand in vehicle design Last year marked the first on in which global sales of electrified vehicles exceeded one million units. Although the numbers are still a long way behind sales volumes of conventional internal combustion ...
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ArticleFord boosts SUV production by 25%
Dubai - The OEM has announced that it is increasing the production of two SUVs - the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition - by 25% to meet "surging demand for both all-new models ahead of their arrival in the Middle East." The models are built at its Kentucky Truck Plant, ...
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Article
Premium surface finish
Tata Steel says it has expanded its Serica premium surface finish portfolio for automotive exposed panels. With Serica 29 (0.29µm after forming), Serica 32 (0.32µm after forming) and Serica 35 (0.35µm after forming) the company claims carmakers can tune the required waviness level of their outer panels to minimise the ...
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ArticleOpen architecture industrial computers
The Allen-Bradley VersaView 5000 portfolio includes five products: VersaView 5400 display and non-display computers; VersaView 5200 display and non-display thin clients; and VersaView 5100 monitors, says Rockwell Automation.The company claims that when combined with FactoryTalk View Site Edition software in distributed applications, the VersaView 5400 industrial computers can provide cost-effective ...