All Manufacturing engineering articles – Page 9
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Interview 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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Next-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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Nyman 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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Changing 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 ...
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PSA: Fábrica de motores de Douvrin
A Peugeot começa a produção de seu novo motor 1.2 litros de três cilindros com injeção diretaA fábrica de motores Française de Mécanique, no noroeste da França, já construiu mais de 48 milhões de unidades de energia para a PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault e Volvo desde a sua criação em ...
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Turbo-powering PSA Douvrin
Peugeot starts making its new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder direct-injection engine at Française de MécaniqueThe Française de Mécanique engine factory in Douvrin, north-west France, has built more than 48m power units for PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault and Volvo since its inception in 1969, but arguably none has been more significant than the ...
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Hyundai Motor India
AMS visited the company’s impressively modern facilities in Chennai, where petrol and diesel engines can be manufactured on the same lineHyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is the second largest automotive manufacturer in India, established in 1996 by the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) of South Korea when the Hyundai brand was ...
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Editor's note: Getting serious about lightweighting
I’m happy to admit the subject of lightweighting fascinates me, which is a good job since it crops up in almost every item that covers the future of vehicle manufacturing. Being something of a factory ‘geek’ I’m really looking forward to some plant visits to see how this challenge is ...
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Painting by numbers
Dr. Ing. Qiaoyan Ye and Dr. Oliver Tiedje of Fraunhofer IPA discuss the ability of modelling and numerical simulation to improve painting processes The benefits of numerical simulationNo need to watch paint dryGreen Carbody TechnologiesComputer-aided engineering and numerical simulation based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be a very useful ...
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AMS North America returns to Detroit
Conference chairman Simon Duval Smith outlines the expert OEM and tier supplier speakers contributing to the agenda of this must-attend event.Bringing together senior manufacturing and purchasing executives from OEMs and tier one suppliers, the North America AMS conference is returning to the US on September 23-24 at the MGM Grand ...
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Simulation stimulates Ford's improvement
Mike Farish reports on Ford’s use of computer simulation to develop its manufacturing processesBefore any new engine goes into production within the Ford organisation in Europe, essential details about it will come to John Ladbrook’s team, based at the company’s Dunton Research Centre in the UK. Ladbrook is a simulation ...
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Perfecting production to cut costs
The AMS South America conference, in São Paulo on October 29-30, will hear experts discuss tough challenges, says Simon Duval Smith.Vehicles sales continue to grow at a healthy rate in South America and this has spurred the building of new manufacturing and assembly plants by both established players and new ...
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Flexible philosophy at Ford
Mike Farish takes a close-up look at how devolved management helps Ford operate highly flexible production on its powertrain linesOpened ten years ago at a cost of £325m, the Ford Dagenham Diesel Centre (DDC) comprises a climate-controlled production hall with 44,530 square metres of floor space for diesel engines plus ...
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GM appoints Jim Glynn as vice-president
USA – General Motors has appointed Jim Glynn as GM North America Labor Relations vice-president.Most recently Glynn was GM North America Manufacturing manager, leading operations at 10 vehicle assembly, powertrain, metal stamping and battery assembly plants.He succeeds Cathy Clegg, who is now Global Manufacturing Engineering vice-president.www.ford.com
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It all adds up
Steed Webzell reports on the evolution of additive manufacturing techniques as they become more valuable in the product development processAnyone labouring under the misapprehension that additive manufacturing (AM) is still a conceptual technology should think again. For instance, according to the Wohlers Report 2011, AM is already a US$1.8 billion ...
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Fasteners take hold
Saving cost, weight, time and the planetThe nuts and bolts of itSimplifying logisticsTechnical advancesJaguar Land Rover’s ‘all new’ 2013 model Range Rover marks a radical departure from the hefty leviathans that have previously made up the marque’s 40-year history. The fourth generation Range Rover is said to be the first ...
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Vauxhall Luton UK van plant – a car finish on a commercial
Primer and basecoat – premium processEnergy saving and environmental concernsLearning in Luton – Vauxhall’s undergraduate schemeGaining with the groupMick Bewley’s manual spraying masterclassesThe Vauxhall Van Plant in Luton, some 50 kilometres north of London is home to production of the Vauxhall Vivaro, Nissan Primastar and Renault Trafic vans. The present ...
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Engine downsizing at Ford and VW
Ford EcoBoostVolkswagen EA211 enginesComponent optimisationDual-loop coolingLess frictionModular matrixEngine downsizing has gone some way to achieving the ideal combination of performance and efficiency. However, this concept presents challenges in both the design and production of the engines. To achieve greater efficiency the engines have to become physically smaller and lighter whileproducing ...
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Meeting the revival challenge at Chrysler
Facing a bleak future just a few short years ago, Chrysler has rebounded with a strong line of products and a manufacturing philosophy that highlights its focus on globally competitive production. When restructuring with Fiat began in 2009, Chrysler dedicated itself to World Class Manufacturing (WCM). Scott Garberding, senior vice-president, ...
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Right first time
The various strategies being used to support successful integration of new production lines, including how 3D simulation can certify cell and assembly line performanceSiemens offer integrator services3D modelingBefore the business of building a new line can begin, a period of development is required. This part of the line integration process ...