All Systems articles – Page 5
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ArticleSticking together
The use of a wide variety of materials throws-up significant production challenges and chief among those is joining. How can this plethora of materials be fixed together without affecting their structural integrity or their individual characteristics? The automotive industry is mostly set-up for resistance spot welding (RSW). This method has ...
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ArticleA holistic approach to quality
Raffaello Lepratti, VP of business development and marketing at Siemens looks at how suppliers can optimise the cost of quality while assuring OEM requirements The automotive industry is undergoing massive structural change, as the advent of new technologies coincides with rapidly changing customer preferences. Recent developments suggest this disruption ...
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ArticleDriving the future of e-mobility
Henkel is responding to changes in the automotive industry with a range of technologies for the emerging trend towards e-drive modules Building on years of experience and expertise in engine and powertrain applications, Henkel is investing in new technologies and products for the efficient, large-scale manufacturing of safe and ...
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ArticleBMW takes a virtual reality check
Germany – In preparation for ramp up of the new BMW 3 Series, virtual reality technology has enabled the OEM to set up cockpit preassembly workstations. By using VR, BMW says it was able to assess the whole of the new production area in virtual reality and test new procedures ...
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ArticleQuality 4.0 in car body inspection
Nikon’s Laser Radar – a next-generation CMM that provides accurate, point cloud-based feature measurements in absolute coordinates – generates more data, leading to higher-quality products, and also saves time and money for OEMs High-end manufacturing has always required the feedback of reliable measurements to adjust parameters precisely and ...
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ArticleA positive response
Daimler is embarking on a major corporate restructuring in the hope of improving its ability to face upcoming challenges in the automotive sector The restructuring currently underway at Daimler is due to be complete by 2020 and the plan centres on creating legally independent AG companies, Mercedes-Benz AG, Daimler Truck ...
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ArticleThe full measure
In-process measurement can guarantee fewer rejects, easier assembly, and ultimately, happier customers before a single part reaches the OEM The ‘where’ in automotive manufacturing has changed and expanded over time as OEMs rely further on increased content from Tier suppliers. From frames, closures, headlamps and tail lamps all the ...
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ArticleRaising the roof
When it comes to roof gluing, vision systems such as the one in operation at FCA Cassino will lead to a return on investment in a short time Vision systems have become a very powerful tool for automotive manufacturers, allowing them to increase productivity and overall quality while simultaneously ...
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ArticleCool calculations - rapid welding
Advanced rapid welding technology is helping to surpass challenges in series production at Voestalpine Fronius has recently added the successful CMT welding process to the company’s most modern power source, the TPS/i. The second generation of the “cold arc” allows robotic welding in many applications with unprecedented levels of quality, ...
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ArticleInterview: Daniël Bottema, AWL-Techniek
Daniël Bottema, research and development manager at AWL-Techniek BV, talked to Dermot Healy about the role AWL hope to play developing the fully automated factory of the future You have been speaking recently about the fully automated factory in presentations to customers. How far along the automation road ...
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ArticleHot stamp harmony
With the demand for quality specifications from OEMs on the rise Gestamp turned to Zeiss for a new approach to quality assurance Deer graze undisturbed in the fields that stretch off into the distance as far as the eye can see. Yet there is a lot more to this ...
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ArticlePick up the pace
To thrive and grow as a tier one global manufacturer of auto seating systems and components requires precision production and very quick turnaround times To support the need for time and material precision, one of the most critical parts of the process is ensuring the right parts are picked, ...
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ArticleOut now: ATS 2019
For this, our third issue of the ATS supplement, we have spoken once again to key players in this crucial sector of the market, revealing their insight on the current state of automotive manufacturing.Piecing it all together Ian Henry identifies six themes from the moves, mergers and makeovers underway in ...
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ArticleGetting beneath the skin
Specialists in automotive interiors have long been at the sharp end of sustainability issue. Gareth Price looks at the controls and techniques that are helping IAC Group improve process control and lower energy consumption Ever since environmental impact became a hot topic for discussion and action within the automotive manufacturing ...
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ArticleNissan makes X-Trail in St. Petersburg
Russia - The new Nissan X-Trail is now being produced at the company's St. Petersburg plant, joining the Qashqai and Murano. This follows on from a small rise in the brand's sales in the country from 9,049 to 10,134 units between August and September 2018. "We are very pleased to ...
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ArticleOpportunity 4.0
Nick Gibbs travels to Barcelona to discover how Gestamp’s own digital revolution is driving efficiency improvements in its energy-hungry hot-stamping operations When your company has expanded to more than 100 production plants, you want to keep a close watch on the production lines in those plants. Especially when you require ...
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ArticleBMW Dingolfing to make Mini batteries
Germany - BMW is investing an undisclosed amount in its Dingolfing plant in order to house the production of batteries for the all-electric Mini. The 'mid-double-digit-million-euro' amount will be used to construct a new assembly line and to implement 'extensive remodelling' measures."With the launch of new models and growing demand ...
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ArticleSet the controls
Expertise in plastic component manufacturing will be in ever greater demand during the emobility age. In preparation, global supplier Novares has taken on a new form Following a period of reorganisation and rebranding, the Mecaplast-Key Plastics group spent 2018 settling in to its new identity – Novares The chosen name ...
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ArticlePiecing it all together
Ian Henry identifies six themes from the moves, mergers and makeovers underway in the global automotive tier supply sector Six themes characterise the automotive supply sector at present, namely: ongoing M&A, the financial challenges faced by the supply base, restructuring and realignment of product portfolios, investment in new facilities, the ...
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ArticleCompetitive advantage
Automotive supplier BENTELER has introduced ABB inspection automation technology to its production plant in Vigo to improve efficiency and stand tall next to its competitors BENTELER is investing in ABB’s digital 3D vision and metrology solutions at its Vigo production plant in Spain, helping it reduce cycle times while ...