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Manufacturing

Sinomach unit produces China’s first products for stainless steel cold rolling mills

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Tianjin Electric Research Institute, a subsidiary of Sinomach, has independently developed a high-power three-level AC-DC-AC frequency converter, which passed a test run in the high roller mill modification project of Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group Co (TISCO).

It marks the first application of a domestic medium-voltage frequency conversion system in the Sendzimir mill and fills in the gap in the application of domestic products in high-end stainless cold rolling mills.

The original automation and transmission system of the unit in the TISCO Stainless Steel Cold Rolling Mill was supplied by a foreign producer in 2002. [Read more…] about Sinomach unit produces China’s first products for stainless steel cold rolling mills

Vitesco Technologies celebrates 25 years and its new ‘high degree of automation’

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In the scenic setting of Frenštát pod Radhoštěm at the foot of the Beskid Mountains, the Vitesco Technologies site is celebrating its 25th anniversary as well as its “high degree of automation” which is enabling the company to produce advanced technologies more efficiently than ever before. 

In May 1995, the site started producing electronic components for the automotive industry, initially with 100 employees.

Today, the Czech site with its workforce of approximately 3,000 is one of the largest employers in the region and is also one of the largest electronics plants owned by Vitesco Technologies, the Powertrain Technologies group sector of Continental. [Read more…] about Vitesco Technologies celebrates 25 years and its new ‘high degree of automation’

Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

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Semiconductor fabrication companies are expected to log record spending of nearly $68 billion in 2021 after the 2020 lull caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry association SEMI.

“2021 is poised to mark a banner year for global fab equipment spending with 24 percent growth to a record $67.7 billion, 10 percent higher than the previously forecast US$65.7 billion,” says SEMI in a statement.

The organisation adds that all product segments look like they will provide “solid growth rates”. [Read more…] about Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

BMW applies AI dust particle analysis to ‘increase paint shop quality’

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BMW says it uses an “ongoing algorithm-based analysis” of dust content in vehicle paint booths and compares them to a database to predict the quality of coating it applies to cars

Artificial intelligence can bring even greater precision to controlling highly sensitive systems in automotive production, as a pilot project in the paint shop of the BMW’s Munich plant has demonstrated.

Despite state-of-the-art filtration technology, the content of finest dust particles in paint lines varies depending on the ambient air drawn in. If the dust content exceeded the threshold, the still wet paint could trap particles, thus visually impairing the painted surface.

AI specialists from what BMW calls its “central planning” and the Munich plant have now found a way to avoid this situation altogether: every freshly painted car body must undergo an automatic surface inspection in the paint shop. [Read more…] about BMW applies AI dust particle analysis to ‘increase paint shop quality’

TPM to offer AI-driven on-demand manufacturing platform from ZVerse360

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Digital manufacturing technology company ZVerse has partnered with TPM to license its AI-enabled on-demand manufacturing platform, ZVerse360.

TPM will run production through the ZVerse360 platform and fulfill projects through its in-house production group, as well as leverage into TPM’s extensive manufacturing customer base across the Southeast.

The ZVerse360 platform aims to simplify and accelerate the design-to-production process, through an end-to-end solution for on-demand digital manufacturing, including CAD as a Service (CADaaS), instant quoting, e-commerce, workflow management and access to the ZVerse production partner network. [Read more…] about TPM to offer AI-driven on-demand manufacturing platform from ZVerse360

Robotic MIG vs TIG Welding: Picking the Right Option

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Being able to pinpoint the right type of welding for your specific robotic welding application is a crucial decision.

The truth is, not all robotic welding types are equal even though they produce outcomes that are similar.

Two types that are most common of this type of welding are metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG). [Read more…] about Robotic MIG vs TIG Welding: Picking the Right Option

Severstal expands automation capabilities with second investment in Airborne

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PAO Severstal, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated steel and mining companies, has led a second tranche of investment into Dutch company Airborne, a developer of digital automation platforms for the production of composite parts and products with integrated composites.

The total investment in Airborne has already amounted to “several tens of millions of dollars”, says Severstal.

In spite of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to many venture projects on the global market being placed on hold, Severstal led the new investment in Airborne with support of existing shareholders including HPE Growth. [Read more…] about Severstal expands automation capabilities with second investment in Airborne

GM and LG Chem prepare ground at new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown

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General Motors and LG Chem have started to prepare the ground at their new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown. 

The two companies have established a joint venture called “Ultium Cells” for the battery cell manufacturing business.

Construction has started with ground prep activities for the future site of the Ultium battery cell manufacturing facility in Lordstown. [Read more…] about GM and LG Chem prepare ground at new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown

Groupe PSA restarts manufacturing at facilities in a ‘progressive’ way

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Groupe PSA – which owns automotive brands such as Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall – says it is restarting manufacturing at facilities in a “progressive and secured” way.

The company says it has reinforced health measures, shared with the social partners, and deployed before any restart of activity with voluntary employees.

It says it will start an audit campaign to guarantee their “perfect implementation in 100 percent of the group’s industrial, commercial, tertiary and research and development sites”. [Read more…] about Groupe PSA restarts manufacturing at facilities in a ‘progressive’ way

Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?

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By Darrell Adams, head of Southeast Asia and Oceania, Universal Robots

For many ASEAN nations, manufacturing takes up a sizable chunk of the national GDP. For example, manufacturing in Singapore contributed 20.9 percent of Singapore’s GDP in 2019, according to the department of statistics Singapore.

Successful companies readily acknowledge one key factor contributing to their achievements – hardworking, committed and skilled employees who are the foundation of the companies.

However, manufacturers today face the primary challenge of filling open positions with skilled workers, which in turn affects overall productivity and growth. [Read more…] about Are You Ready to Survive the Future of Manufacturing?