All Process & automation articles
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Article
High-speed screw-fastening system
Engmatec offers a high-speed screw-fastening station for inline operation as part of an assembly line system. It uses a fastening method based on the pick-and-place principle incorporating vacuum suction units. It also includes a Mitsubishi Electric RP-5ADH robot with corresponding CR1D robot controller. The company claims this screw-fastening system has ...
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ArticleSolutions on the spot
Recent innovations are ensuring that spot welding is a viable joining method for aluminium automotive parts and structures While spot welding has been the joining method of choice for automotive BIW applications, one area where it has shortcomings is welding aluminium. The use of this material in BIW structures has ...
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ArticleEditor's Note: Balancing act
Just when you think you have a good idea of the direction the industry is taking, something comes along which throws all of your cleverly-conceived ideas out of the window.In this case it was a number of manufacturing plant visits conducted for this issue. Firstly, taking a look at motorcycle ...
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ArticleSustainability on show
ArcelorMittal Automotive EuropePepperl+FuchsDassault SystèmesEuchnerPilz AutomationThe 2010 Hanover Fair, themed with the headline ‘Efficiency - Innovation - Sustainability’, runs from 19-23 April, 2010, and, as in previous years, will be showcasing innovations, new developments, technologies and materials from many manufacturing areas. The three main display categories are Factory Automation, Process Automation ...
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ArticleABB robots keep Magna in trim
ABB IRB 6600 detailsABB’s IRB 6600 robots are available with a choice of fi ve handling/ reach capacities: 175kg/2.55m, 225kg/2.55 m, 175kg/2.8m, 125kg/3.2m, and 200kg/2.75m. The IRB 6600 is suitable for various process applications, including spotwelding, material handling and machine tending. In addition, a range of software products - all ...
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ArticleHands-off high tech
Euchner, Hall 7, Stand 440HMS Industrial Networks, Hall 6, Stand 222Moeller, Hall 9, Stand 371Pilz, Hall 9, Stand 370Schneider Electric, Hall 4, Stand 310Over the last 20 years, SPS/IPC/DRIVES has become firmly established as the exhibition and conference for electric automation technology. This year's event, held at Messe Frankfurt ...
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ArticleAMS 10th Anniversary: Automation systems
Market saturationTouch sensitiveFull automationProtecting the peopleIn 2000, AMS reported BMW as having a total of 1,275 bodyin- white robots in total at its Dingolfing, Regensburg and Munich plants. The Regensburg equipment alone, totalling 475 units, represented an investment of $320 million. Meanwhile, GM had installed 500 Fanuc robots at its ...
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ArticleControl Fair 2009 preview
The Control exhibition gives carmakers the chance to get upclose and personal with quality management tools. Hexagon MetrologyGE Sensing & Inspection TechnologiesMitutoyoMinitabDakota UltrasonicsUndeniably one of the premier events in the quality assurance calendar, the 23rd Control International Trade Fair is scheduled to take place at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre from ...
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ArticleHannover Fair 2009 - an automatic choice
A look at what is sure to interest carmakers at the upcoming Hannover FairSiemensABBFronius InternationalArcelorMittalDespite the recession, the Hannover Fair 2009 international trade exposition, taking place 20-24 April, looks set for a bumper year. This year’s show sees the regular portfolio of annually-held trade fairs —INTERKAMA+, Factory Automation, Industrial Building ...
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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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ArticleFit for automated purpose
Greater product varietyDevelopments in weldingReprogrammable robotic devicesClose co-operation between user and supplierThere was a time when ‘hard’ automation – tailor-made, dedicated installations – was the trend, but things are moving to a more flexible approachIt appears that the use of robots in the automotive manufacturing sector is entering an unpredictable ...
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ArticleWired into automation
This year’s METAV show will take place from March 31-April 4. The trade fair is the largest international technology showcase in Germany and features the latest in manufacturing technology and automationThe 2008 edition of the METAV show should be very attractive for both visitors and exhibitors, as it coincides with ...
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ArticleDoing more with less with Siemens
More models in less timeGreen car challengeStandards and responsibilityCompetence centreSimple safety systemAdvantages at AudiSuppliers of automation technology have to work closely with carmakers to establish the best platform strategy. AMS talks to Thomas Schott at Siemens Automation and Drives about the latest concepts bringing productivity benefits to the businessThe automotive ...
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ArticleEfficiency redefined at Hannover
This year’s Hannover Fair from April 21-25, 2008 includes 10 flagship international trade fairs and more than 1,000 themed special presentations and forums. The scope ranges from the latest trends in automation, technologies for maximising energy efficiency and security, state-of-the-art automotive solutions to customised PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) or MES ...
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ArticleQuality assurance products shine
Control 2008 – the international exhibition for quality management will be held at Stuttgart, Germany, on April 22-25, 2008. AMS previews some of the products that will be shown at this popular annual eventAs the world’s only trade fair that focuses strictly on quality assurance, Control presents the entire spectrum ...
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ArticleInnovative applications in automation
The annual SPS/IPC/DRIVES fair in Germany showcases the latest developments in the world of automation, and besides displaying the latest products, offers visitors informative sessions on the new technologiesSPS/IPC/DRIVES is the leading exhibition for electric automation technology in Europe, taking place in Nuremberg from 27-29 November, 2007. The show focuses ...
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ArticleQuick off the mark
Robotics experts are helping OEMs to realise prototype models in record time to speed up the new vehicle development process. AMS looks at two systems from Kuka and ABBAutomating the conceptFlexible integrationReusable and leanFlexLeanFlexibility in set-upRobots redefine manufacturingOnly a small circle of developers and design experts know what the cars ...
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ArticleThe replacement fillers
Automation is key to sealing the deal in a global industry that relies on getting results before the competition. AMS reports on ABB’s complete turnkey package for Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich plant, and looks at how Motoman helped one US metals company stay ahead of the gameManual to automaticFirm with a ...
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ArticleDPE reduces time-to-market for Volkswagen
Volkswagen Group is to implement Delmia’s DPE solution at all its production sites as the program offers high-level planning reliability and optimised implementation, reducing time-to-marketAllowing for redundancy-free managementVolkswagen AG recently announced that it intends to implement DELMIA Process Engineer (DPE) software throughout its organisation. A Group agreement indicates that the ...
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ArticleSpreading the Ethernet
The demands of commercial vehicle making are being met with increasingly sophisticated automation software, including integrated Ethernet communication and client/server architecturesCommunication protocolsUnity automation platformAutomation faces particular challenges when it comes to the production of commercial vehicles because of the wide variety demanded. Theoretically, the number of variants that might need ...