All Manufacturing engineering articles – Page 8
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ArticleRobot reckoning
ABB Robotics first established itself in China over 30 years ago and has since manufactured over 30,000 robots in applications serving the entire vehicle production process.The range of ABB’s business activities in China stretches from R&D and manufacturing to sales and services. In the fold are 19,000 employees, 36 local ...
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ArticleStamp of approval
Chang Tiejun, body area manager at Changan Mazda's Nanjing facility, discusses the challenges of keeping pace with demand, handling changing materials and vehicle architectures, and planning for the futureAMS: Do you have both blanking and stamping operations here at Nanjing?Chang Tiejun (CT): We only have stamping operations at this location; ...
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ArticleOlive takes new role at Renault-Nissan
France – The OEM has appointed Jérôme Olive as executive vice-president, Alliance Manufacturing Engineering and Supply Chain Management, effective August 1.Olive, who is currently senior vice-president, Manufacturing and Logistics Europe at Renault, replaces Shohei Kimura, who moves to a new leadership position in manufacturing within the Nissan group. Kimura has ...
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ArticleGM: Chasing Chinese capacity
Phil Kienle, vice-president of Manufacturing for GM International Operations (GMIO and GM China) discusses the production challenges of meeting rising demand in ChinaAMS: How has GM standardised its manufacturing operations globally and is China now operating at a level comparable with GM’s other high-volume production regions?Phil Kienle (PK): When you ...
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ArticleWelding for lightweights
With the automotive industry’s shift toward lighter materials, demands on welding technology are changingThe reasons behind the increasing demand for aluminium within the automotive industry are well documented: the material is around one-third the weight of steel, which in turn leads to fuel consumption advantages and, hopefully, higher sales at ...
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ArticleRemote control: Laser welding
A €3.9m, pan-European project is developing solutions to widen the application of lasers in weldingAn alternative to the proven and reliable technique of resistance spot welding (RSW) is remote laser welding (RLW). It offers a number of advantages such as creating joints in different locations on the product through simple ...
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ArticleMulti-model management
The senior GM – Manufacturing at Chakan Plant discusses the challenges of producing a diverse range of vehicles at a single location, plus plans for expansionAMS: Can you provide some background on Chakan Plant?Sairan Vedapudi (SV): We acquired this site in 2007, and although at that time the economic conditions ...
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ArticleTom Chackalackal, Ford India
The vice-president for Manufacturing discusses operations at Chennai, which was the pioneer plant for the OEM's three-wet, high-solids paint processAMS: With the start of production of the EcoSport last year, it was reported that capacity here would be increased to 200,000 units per annum. Has this happened?Tom Chackalackal (TC): The ...
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ArticleInterview: Dileep Naik, Tata Motors
The head of auto projects and production engineering discusses the manufacture of CVs, passenger cars and powertrains at the company's plant in Maharastra, plus its in-house production engineering capabilityAMS: Which vehicles are you currently producing at Pimpri?Dileep Naik (DN): Here we manufacture both commercial vehicles [CVs] and passenger vehicles. The ...
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ArticleMaking more with less
As the drive for energy efficiency increases, auto manufacturers are scrutinising every shopfloor processThe automotive manufacturing industry is a massive user of energy. The US industry alone consumes 800 trillion Btus per year, according to estimates by the US Department of Energy (DOE). In its ‘Energy Use Benchmarking in the ...
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WebinarHexagon Metrology: Fast, rich and actionable 3D process control
Global automotive manufacturers are aiming to improve mechanical and visual assembly quality and reduce rework while accelerating new vehicle launches. 3D Metrology and In-line process control technologies are important contributors for achieving higher quality products, more stable process and faster ramp up for new vehicle programs. The introduction of fast ...
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_Hexagon Metrology: Fast, rich and actionable 3D process control
Global automotive manufacturers are aiming to improve mechanical and visual assembly quality and reduce rework while accelerating new vehicle launches. 3D Metrology and In-line process control technologies are important contributors for achieving higher quality products, more stable process and faster ramp up for new vehicle programs. The introduction of fast ...
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WebinarWEBINAR: Hexagon Metrology
Global automotive manufacturers are aiming to improve mechanical and visual assembly quality and reduce rework while accelerating new vehicle launches. 3D Metrology and in-line process control technologies are important contributors for achieving higher-quality products, more stable process and faster ramp-up for new vehicle programmes.The introduction of fast area measurement and ...
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ArticleGM Brazil's firm foundation
Established in 1930, São Caetano do Sul is the OEM’s oldest plant in South America and has required substantial modernisation, most recently receiving upgrades to its bodyshop and press shopIn August this year, General Motors (GM) announced a $2.9 billion investment in Brazil for the development of new products, technologies ...
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ArticleHarlow to lead Chrysler NAFTA Manufacturing
USA – Chrysler Group has appointed Brian Harlow vice-president – head of NAFTA Manufacturing as the successor to Mauro Pino, who will lead Manufacturing for LATAM. Harlow is now responsible for all assembly, stamping and powertrain manufacturing operations in the US, Canada and Mexico, as well as the implementation of ...
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ArticleGM Joinville: LEEDing sustainability
The OEM's new Brazilian site is the first automotive plant in South America to achieve LEED certificationWhen General Motors (GM) began the construction of its Joinville engine manufacturing facility in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, in September 2010 it already had sustainability in mind – specifically the Leadership in Energy ...
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ArticleInterview with Sonia Campos, GM Brazil
The director of GM's São Caetano do Sul Plant, in São Paulo, talks about updating the 84-year-old facility to keep pace with the demands of modern productionJoanne Perry (JP): How important is the São Caetano do Sul Plant as a production location for GM in Brazil?Sonia Campos (SC): São Caetano ...
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ArticleNext-generation working environment
Ergonomic developments in the manufacturing workplace are boosting efficiency and productivity An ageing workforce coupled with the ever-present need to increase efficiency and achieve the perennial goal of doing more with less; growing product ranges and the increased complexity of parts and machines; the arrival of the next-generation workforce of ...
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ArticleNyman becomes SVP commercial, IAC
Luxembourg – In his new role, Marcus Nyman will oversee the activities of the global Customer Business Units (CBUs) for International Automotive Components’ European OEM customers, Business Development and Management, plus the Program Management group.Nyman will work closely with the company’s other regional commercial leaders and will report directly to ...
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ArticleChanging demands drive flexibility in car assembly
Ford and its partner Changan are meeting the demands of a new consumer with automation from ABB Robotics “The economic downturn has been tough on automakers and has highlighted the need to be more adaptive to the demands of the market,” says Yuan HengXin, Manufacturing Engineering manager for Changan ...