Casting/Forging News
Real clean steel
With vehicle-makers and tier suppliers wanting greater performance from less material weight, Ovako’s engineering steels seem a good fit. Nick Holt visits its production facility at Hofors in Sweden to find out more
Casting a duo
Two innovative metal forming techniques could have a significant impact on the press shop of the future
Smartly pressed
OEMs and suppliers are teaming up to design and construct a state-of-art press shops, duly networked for an industry 4.0 approach
Making metal add up
Additively manufactured metal parts present a challenge for high-volume production but at the other end of the scale, engineers are successfully developing the process for specialist, low volume parts. Mike Farish reports
From prototype to production
The use of additive manufacturing technologies has now moved passed their initial application area of just ‘rapid prototyping’
Magna opens aluminium casting facility
UK - The supplier has opened a new aluminium casting facility in Telford, England, in order to provide structural castings to Jaguar Land Rover. The facility covers 225,000 sq.m and will employ around 300 people.
Tracking and training
Digital technologies are providing new training solutions for the automotive industry. Nick Holt reports
Aluminium allegiance
Industry analysts are predicting a growth phase for aluminium content in the vehicle material mix. AMS reports on the new grades and applications that underpin this claim
Welding simulations for sheet metal structures
Welding 7 is the latest version of Simufact’s software for the simulation of welding processes, which the company claims offers shorter processing times, more accurate results, and a more intuitive operational use. Functions include solid-shell elements, simplified calculation methods for resistance spot welding processes and the more flexible consideration of ...
Spain’s rising star
Renault’s Valladolid plant is piloting some of the latest digital manufacturing technologies
Cleaning and machining
The Bonderite duaLCys process has been used in a precision tool, machining project at German customer Mapal, claims Henkel. The company says the process can be tailored to the customer’s needs across their value chain from casting and machining to assembly. One of the stated benefits is the recycling of ...
The stage to engage
The continually restructuring tier supply environment is witnessing record M&A activity amid rapid technological change
Steel town
ArcelorMittal’s Indiana Harbor steel mill has needed to change with the times. AMS paid a visitArcelorMittal employs over 4,200 people at its Indiana Harbor facility, which has been the site of steel making for over 100 years. According to Wendell Carter, long-serving steel man, vice-president and general manager: “Indiana Harbor ...
Honda Anna reaches 25m engines
US – The milestone unit, built on Line 4, was a 1.5-litre turbo for a 2018 Accord made at Marysville Auto Plant, also in Ohio. Honda’s largest engine factory worldwide has reached this cumulative total after 32 years of operation.
GM goes green in Ohio and Indiana
US – The OEM announced that its manufacturing facilities in the two states will by powered by 100% renewable energy, through the purchase of 200MW from wind farms. When the turbines come online at the end of 2018, renewable energy will account for 20% of GM’s global electricity consumption.
Autonomy drive
Suzuki has stayed independent of big joint ventures despite becoming increasingly dependent on markets outside Japan
Nissan Tochigi's human touch
Automotive manufacturing is known for its robotics, but Nissan’s ‘master craftsmen’ show that there is still a place for human skill. AMS went to see them at work on the GTR and Infiniti models made at Tochigi, JapanMost countries value luxury products, but few cherish the beauty of production quite ...
Open-door opportunity
Much R&D work has been done to reduce the weight of vehicle structures, but closures still represent a significant opportunity for weight savings