All Maintenance articles – Page 28
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ArticleEastern Europe’s engine of growth
Why Hungary?Mercedes moves inGM plans no assembly restartAutomation and shifts in productionNew machinery - the ‘Dream Budget’Cold test and hot testNext stop - UzbekistanPlant building – integrator or GM?Suzuki revisitedRenaissance manSumming up the Suzuki way in HungaryKey suppliers in HungaryMany financial commentators have forecast that after the current recession ends, ...
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ArticlePlus and minus for hybrids
How carmakers and their partner companies are advancing towards the goal of bringing electric, hybrid-electric and other alternative powertrains to marketRecharging Michigan’s battered economyThe Renault-Nissan Alliance’s electric car infrastructure projectPowering the Chevrolet VoltLi-Ion fires, short battery life and other challengesToshiba – electric vehicle power on four or two wheelsConnecting tyres ...
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ArticleRobots extend their reach
With production levels under close scrutiny in the current credit squeeze, OEMs that have already invested in automation are well placed to manage the challenges ahead.Flexible vehicle assembly‘Welds’ apartReasons to be cheerfulThe automotive industry is the world’s biggest user of industrial robot technology. The automation of such operations as welding, ...
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ArticleAirpot launches filter/regulators
Airpot Corporation has introduced a range of fi lter/regulator (FFR) products designed specifically for use with its low-friction line of Airpel air cylinders and Airpel –AB air-bearing controlled actuators. Airpot FFR systems offers engineers, designers and manufacturing professionals the precise control, optimal air quality and properly sized components needed to ...
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ArticleKorea’s flexible carmakers
These are hard times for carmakers, no matter where they are located. South Korean producers are facing market downturns, but hope to manufacture their way out of trouble by playing a series of flexible production equipment trump cards.Lighting solutionsPutting it togetherEight is the magic numberSomething new – something newFlexibility is ...
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ArticleTraditional modernists
In 2009, the Morgan Motor Company, based in Malvern, UK, is celebrating its centenary year. With a series of events scheduled to mark the occasion, there is perhaps none more important than the April opening of the company’s new visitor centre. During the summer, the facility is expected to ...
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ArticleQuality-assurance sensors from Kistler
Kistler Instruments has launched a range of fi ve new force sensors. The new equipment is designed specifi cally for use in quality assurance monitoring in assembly applications and offers virtually maintenance-free working operation.The piezoelectric sensors cover measuring ranges from 5kN to 120kN and are supplied as standard with 1%, ...
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ArticleStaying on top at Maruti
Maruti Suzuki has topped India’s JD Power customer satisfaction survey for the ninth year in a row. AMS visits the company’s Gurgaon plant to talk with the company’s manufacturing guru, M.M. Singh, about this, the largest Suzuki manufacturing facility outside Japan.The importance of defining rolesHarmonizing labour and automationFactory layoutIn-house production ...
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ArticleNerves of steel
Despite the development of new materials for use in body-in-white, steel remains steadfast as stronger, lighter incarnations of the metal continue to arise.Commercial and technical innovation through co-operationDiversity of high-strength solutionsNovel metal formsGlobal market potentialCurrent applications span the market spectrumDesign adaptation to high-strength materialsWorking in partnershipThe challenge for Tier Two ...
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ArticleClearly visible benefits
Solutions that cover and facilitate whole product lifecycle processes are growing in importance, and the main driver is visualisation technology.Factory planningVisualisation is entering a new dimension that goes beyond mere photorealistic product imagery. So far, designers have primarily concentrated on visualising product concepts, prototypes and finished products. Now, the trend ...
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ArticleDriven to automation
There’s no shortage of innovative ideas and must-see presentations at this year’s SPS/IPC/Drives Electric Automation show in Nuremberg, from 25-27 November.The chance to see what’s new, compare notes and extend, strengthen and reinforce networks in today’s challenging market conditions isn’t to be lightly passed up. Probably the best opportunity this ...
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ArticleGoing in the white direction
Splitting, thinning and wrinklingPressing mattersMoving things alongLaser-based welding controls the heatExtending the focusing lengthTechnology streaks aheadTests show positive resultsAdjustable system is requiredThe need for speedAdding a dimensionEnhanced inspection measurementsAs a vehicle’s largest structure, the body-in-white is deserving of the attention it receives from a process optimisation perspective. AMS looks at ...
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ArticleMisumi offers new linear motion systems
With the new LX Series range of linear motion units, MISUMI Europa offers compact ‘ready-tofit’ systems for applications with high precision and efficiency requirements. Due to the high number of options available, they are suitable for use in many industrial spheres, including single-or multi-axle applications in feeder units, adhesive dispensers ...
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ArticleBuy, use, sell, re-use
In with the oldWaste not, want notBeware of the red tapeAdapting existing equipmentEnergy performance certificatesWhether it’s best to buy new equipment, refurbish existing, sell or lease depends on economic and accounting considerations and, increasingly, environmental influences and legislationsThere was a time when all production managers considered just one thing when ...
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ArticleThe Indian juggernaut
Mercedes-Benz – the road to full manufacturingBMW looks to local marketsGM launches second plant in TalegaonFord undertakes powertrain expansionMahindra & Mahindra goes globalBajaj Auto’s new-age philosophyAs carmakers and suppliers around the world re-assess their position in the global market and adjust to economic uncertainty, India’s key automotive players have plans ...
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ArticlePIAB’s energy efficient P5010 Vacuum Pump
PIAB’s P5010 vacuum pump features patented COAX technology and is designed for automated vacuum handling applications. The P5010 pump provides the highest possible vacuum performance in relation to energy consumption, helping to reduce carbon footprint and improve conservation efforts. The P5010 modular design guarantees shorter changeover times and provides opportunities ...
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ArticleSafety comes first
Different safety needs for automationSelf-installation systemWithout the right level of protection, assembly can be a hazardous place. Thankfully there is a plethora of barrier-free innovations designed to make even the most automated lines safe for all workersFor all its benefits, it is easy to forget that with automation comes the ...
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ArticleUltimate simplicity and flexibility in handling systems from Geico
Geico’s patented conveyor system for pre-treatment and e-coat plants – J-Flex – has shown simple design, extreme planning fl exibility and effi cient production. It minimises the stress on the body whilst improving the treatment in the most hidden parts. In addition, the company’s DPH-06 new powder paint pump, has ...
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ArticleMaking a clean job of car coating
Efficient coatingOstrich feathersPowder coat expertiseRust never sleepsBMW’s Leipzig plant employs up-to date paint shop technology to ensure each car finishes up to the highest standard and does so with minimal environmental impactNowhere is this more obvious than in the paint shop, which backs modern processes with the latest environmental credentials, ...
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ArticleLaser-sharp products
A full range of products on showGiving a flawless appearanceCutting maintenance costsThis year’s Euroblech exhibition, running from 21-25 October in Hanover, Germany, will again be the world’s leading sheet metalworking show. A preview of some of the products and services that will be shownMore than 140 companies, from Italy, Taiwan ...