Equipment News
Watch: Factory of the future Livestream – The software-defined assembly line
As automotive OEMs digitalise and connect factories, hear how the Audi Production Lab, ABB and Cosmotech are using real-time data, smart software and advanced automation to reshape vehicle production processes.
VW and Ford invest in flexible production for an uncertain future
The speed of change in the technology of cars and rapid electrification requires new manufacturing equipment and is making expensive old machines redundant, but exactly where the industry is going next is hard to predict. More flexible manufacturing is the answer.
Watch: Electrifying Production – How to build an electric future (Pt.2)
In the second part of our Electrifying Production Livestream series, AMS explores how OEMs are ramping up EV production through modular strategies, data analytics and advanced joining and metrology tools. Featuring Volkswagen Group, Ford, Renishaw and Atlas Copco.
Heavy-duty industrial conveyor belting
Ammeraal Beltech says its uni AMB belt has a permissible tensile strength of 180.000N/m
AI and automation in automotive production need people and quality data to succeed
Experts from BMW, Ford, Symbio Robotics and Cosmo Tech discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in automotive production need fast ramp-up times and adoption by employees to succeed. High-quality data and use of simulation are also key.
Sustainability at the core of leadership at Scania and ArcelorMittal
At last week’s inaugural AMS livestream, Scania’s Mathias Wijkström was joined by ArcelorMittal’s Hugo Da Gama Campos to discuss making automotive production greener and how it is vital to put sustainability at the heart of the production system.
I4.0 machining technology developments
Increasing levels of automation, I4.0 practices and advanced materials across markets, drives machining technology development
Welding wire electrode doubles as a sensor
The WireSense system turns the wire electrode into a sensor that checks the component position before each weld says Fronius
Orbital sander for robotic surface preparation
ATI Industrial Automation says its AOV-10 axially-compliant orbital sander features adjustable compliance force to accommodate a wide variety of applications
2D LiDAR sensor
Sick says its 2D LiDAR systems high laser scanning frequency helps to produce more than half a million measurement points per second to calculate the position, shape, volume or surface quality of components or assemblies over a wide depth of field, and at ranges up to 3m
Edge computing solution
An edge computing soltion from Mitsubishi Electric, which claims to optimise predictive maintenance or quality control with real-time data analysis
Manufacturing management technology
ABB claims its new MOM software is designed to simplify production management by enabling performance monitoring, downtime management and maintenance support, as well as providing statistical production analysis tools
3D-printed glove to aid assembly workers
UK - Jaguar Land Rover has been testing a 3D-printed glove to prevent injuries to production line workers
Chipbreaker software
LFV (low frequency vibration) chipbreaking technology has been incorporated into the 12-axis, 25mm capacity Cincom D25-VIII CNC sliding-headstock turn-mill centre, says Citizen Machinery. The company claims this enhances the lathe’s production flexibility and efficiency when turning difficult-to-chip materials such as copper, plastics and steels with high alloy content. LFV can ...
Compliant deburring blade
ATI Industrial Automation says its new Compliant Deburring Blade (CDB), offers pneumatic control and an articulated design that allows the contact force to be adjusted for specific applications. The company claims the tool is suited to light and medium deburring, chamfering, and scraping operations on materials such as plastic, aluminium, ...
Industrial sensors
Pepperl+Fuchs says it has extended its portfolio to include reduction factor 1 sensors with IO-Link. The company says that standard inductive sensors can only detect non-ferrous metal targets at reduced switching distances. This is because reduction factors can vary from one metal to another. It’s claimed the reduction factor 1 ...
Controlled low friction bearing
Combining the low friction properties of a PTFE lined plain bearing and the radial spring characteristics of tolerance rings, Saint-Gobain claims the result is a versatile energised bearing, which is easy to install for automotive manufacturers and avoids problems of unwanted cabin noise or difficult to adjust mechanisms.
Manufacturing software platform
Faro says it has released its BuildIT 2019 software suite. This is offered as three individual products, each designed for quality inspection in manufacturing and assembly or construction applications.
Machining vise
Kurt Manufacturing says its DX6 CrossOver vise features strategically located holes for through-the-body mounting to achieve closer positioning of multiple vises. The company says this vise also uses sine keys, which can be inserted into pre-drilled dowel holes in the unit’s base for positioning onto t-slots, machine tables, grid plates, ...
Parts sorting and storage system
Said to have been developed to meet the needs of the automotive industry, Daifuku’s SPDR temporary storage and sortation systems for spare parts features an automated robotic arm, which automatically lowers and raises to grasp a range of tote sizes, and it’s claimed is suitable for kitting operations. Daifuku says ...
