Robotics
Global suppliers need modularity and flexibility in the EV age
Electric vehicles bring with them high development costs and large expenses for retooling plants. To get around that, OEMs and tier suppliers must work together to develop flexible, modular production systems, according to panellists from ZF and ABB at last week’s AMS Livestream on electrification.
Watch: Automotive suppliers charging ahead – Electrifying Production Series (Pt.1)
In the first part of our Electrifying Production Livestream series, AMS explores how vehicle electrification is changing major tier-1 suppliers’ manufacturing engineering and design, plant equipment and manufacturing strategies. Featuring experts from automotive suppliers and production specialists including Gestamp and ZF, Henkel and ABB.
The challenges of a transition from ICE to EV production for automotive manufacturers and the implications for assembly plants
As automotive manufacturers make the transition to electric propulsion, the challenges they face from compressed development timescales, ever tightening regulatory limits and technology churn, mean they must adapt very quickly to change. Automotive Manufacturing Solutions spoke to Patrick Matthews, ABB Robotics head of powertrain for their OEM automotive division, on how ABB’s approach can help support OEMs through the transition process while retaining the ability to accommodate changes in production requirements
The time is now to start integrating robotics into plant and warehouse logistics
Robotics have enabled major productivity gains in manufacturing, but as the technology becomes more affordable and labour gets harder to find and more expensive, it could start to play a bigger role in the plant logistics and warehousing, too, helping workers do their jobs more safely and quickly.
Watch: Robotic Sanding Made Easy with ATI’s AOV-10 and 3M Abrasives
The Compliant Orbital Sander is the ideal solution for robotic surface treatment.
In perfect condition
ABB explores how condition-based maintenance can keep car plant robots in good working order to increase productivity and minimise downtime
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.
AMS Winter 2020 – Supporting production through automation and AI
The latest AMS edition is out with a special focus on automation opportunities, including for artificial intelligence and cobots. The issue features in-depth insight on robotics and new processes, with interviews featuring BMW, Fraunhofer, Drishti and many more.
Transforming automation
A flexible software-first approach is the answer to improve the real-time control of industrial robots and future-proof manufacturing lines, say experts at Symbio Robotics
Advancing machine learning
Assembly operations still offer a lot of potential for automation. A new project aims to take machine learning to the next level
A collaborative approach to automation
Now in the guise of ‘cobots’, robots often work not just alongside, but with their operations integrated with those of co-located people
Integrating robotics and electric powertrains in BMW production
BMW is on an EV offensive and is taking the opportunity to revamp its plants with automation and digital twins. Mark Smyth spoke to the global boss of production, Milan Nedeljković, about the challenges and opportunities
2,200 new robots to improve automation at VW Chattanooga, Emden and Hannover plants
Volkswagen is investing in automation with robots from Fanuc and ABB at its Chattanooga, Emden and Hannover plants, in preparation for those factories to start producing electric vehicles based on the MEB platform. The robots are to be mainly used for body production and battery assembly.
Watch: How Ford digitalised and insourced global supply chain processes | Your Questions Answered Part II with Amlan Bose
Ford is transforming its supply chain and logistics processes in a number of key regions, including creating an in-house 4PL and rolling out a dynamic transport management system. Following discussion on our popular Livestream Hour edition focused on digitalisation in supply chain and logistics, Ford’s Amlan Bose rejoins Christopher Ludwig to address audience questions on topics including challenges to rollout, whether the system and insourcing will spread to other regions, and how digital control towers are helping Ford in the Covid-19 crisis.
Watch: ‘Covid is accelerating digital supply chain and production’ | Your questions answered with EY’s Bart Huthwaite
Following our popular Livestream Hour edition focused on digitalisation in supply chain and logistics, Bart Huthwaite, principal for automotive and transportation at EY, rejoins Christopher Ludwig to address audience questions on topics including digital twins, industrial IOT, trade wars and changing production models.
Watch: ATI’s AOV-10 Robotic Sander and 3M Abrasives can reshape material removal processes
The AOV-10 Axially-Compliant Random Orbital Sander from ATI Industrial Automation is the ideal robotic solution for surface preparation and finishing. The compact and lightweight design suits a variety of robot sizes and types, including collaborative robots. The AOV-10 also features built-in compliance which overcomes process variation due to part misalignment, part geometry inconsistency, or robot path deviations. This streamlines the programming process and improves overall process quality of sanding and finishing operations.
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
eBook – Robot guidance systems
Manufacturers across multiple industries face a number of current challenges, including shorter production series, lower costs, and a need for increased flexibility. But perhaps the greatest challenge is effectively implementing automated material handling solutions.
ABB: Safe and sound with servo
A collaboration between ABB and truck cab manufacturer Crenlo has resulted in a faster, robotic, servo spot-welding system, one that ably meets the plant’s comprehensive safety requirements