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Automotive

Comau presents its vision of the future at automotive summit

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Comau presented its vision of the future at the 4th Automotive Advanced Manufacturing Technology Summit in Guangzhou, China this month. The summit brought together more than 1,000 professionals from the automotive industry.

“It’s an honour to present our vision of digital transformation and smart manufacturing,” said Mauro Anselmetto, CEO of Comau China and ASEAN.

“Digitalization is transforming the industry in amazing ways. Comau approaches Industry 4.0 with easy to use solutions, value-added manufacturing solutions, and human-robot collaboration. HUMANufacturing, as we call it, is our way to Industry 4.0.

[Read more…] about Comau presents its vision of the future at automotive summit

Kuka wins ‘major’ contracts worth $75 million from US automotive manufacturer

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Kuka Systems has received three major new systems contracts from “a leading manufacturer of premium vehicles in the US”, according to the company.

The projects comprise the engineering and construction of systems to build vehicles body structures in the USA and Mexico, says Kuka.

Kuka estimates the order value to be approximately $75 million, and says it was booked in the third quarter of 2017. Start of production is planned for mid-2019.  [Read more…] about Kuka wins ‘major’ contracts worth $75 million from US automotive manufacturer

Automotive and industrial companies ‘could unlock billions in revenue’ through new growth strategies

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Accenture using a “new way” of measuring corporate competitiveness

Industrial companies, such as automotive manufacturers, could unlock billions of dollars in revenue by adopting a more “holistic strategy”, according to a new report by Accenture.

The business management consultant conducted a survey into competitiveness in industry and found that the best approach is one that places equal emphasis on growth, profitability, sustainability and trust.

This “inter-dependent” strategy “yields massive growth potential”, says Accenture, which bases its conclusions on analysis of 47 automotive and industrial companies’ performances.

[Read more…] about Automotive and industrial companies ‘could unlock billions in revenue’ through new growth strategies

Fuji Kiko selects Aras product lifecycle management platform

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Automotive components manufacturer Fuji Kiko has chosen the Aras product lifecycle management platform to streamline its design and development process as well as manage its global operation.

Aras, a PLM specialist, adds that Fuji Kiko will use the system to manage prototype development, production management, sales, and procurement processes.

The automotive supplier went through a comprehensive process to evaluate and select a PLM system with the flexibility and upgradeability necessary to support the pace of innovation by their global product teams.  [Read more…] about Fuji Kiko selects Aras product lifecycle management platform

Danlaw partners with Siemens on product lifecycle management

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Danlaw, a company which develops connected car and automotive electrics technologies, is now an official Siemens product lifecycle management – or automated lifecycle management – solution partner.

The company says the partnership highlights Danlaw’s commitment to providing a seamless solution between its Mx-Suite verification and validation test software and Siemens Polarion QA software with the Mx-Suite Polarion Connector.

Our customers benefit from increased quality and reduced development cycles, when developing electronic modules by centrally managing test case generation and execution with test results tied directly to requirements.  [Read more…] about Danlaw partners with Siemens on product lifecycle management

China’s electric car market given a jump-start by government and looks set to boost lithium industry

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The market for electric cars in China is huge already and it’s growing at almost an exponential rate annually. 

Commentators in the country include electric cars in the category called “new energy vehicles”, which also refers to hybrid energy vehicles, and are saying the market will be further accelerated as a result of government backing.

Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng management consultancy, says: “With the issuance in April 2017 of the Automotive Industry Mid to Long Term Development Plan, the Ministry for Industry and Information Technology provides guiding principles for the development of China’s auto industry for the next decade.  [Read more…] about China’s electric car market given a jump-start by government and looks set to boost lithium industry

Hirotec on long journey towards lights-out manufacturing with robots from Otto and Yaskawa

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“Lights-out manufacturing” is a term to mean the method of making things in a way that’s entirely automated and does not need humans to be involved in the process. 

Of course, humans initially set up the process, build the factory and so on, but the factory which outputs the final product only requires robotics and automation technology.

It’s an idea that has probably been explored in science fiction many times, but in reality, a fully automated factory that needs no human intervention at all is still a distant dream.  [Read more…] about Hirotec on long journey towards lights-out manufacturing with robots from Otto and Yaskawa

Electric cars will change the way industrial robots are used in manufacturing, says Fanuc boss

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With Volvo’s decision to go all electric in its future vehicles, combined with the French government’s decision to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 and similar moves in Germany, the automotive industry is preparing for a tectonic shift in the manufacturing landscape. 

The way electric cars are made already differ considerably now, and new techniques will take the production of the new vehicles further away from traditional methods.

An interesting insight into the future was offered by a senior executive at the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, who suggested that electric cars are highly likely to fundamentally change the way industrial robots are used.  [Read more…] about Electric cars will change the way industrial robots are used in manufacturing, says Fanuc boss

Energised by smartphones, sensors are driving the automotive industry

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dsp concepts auto-measure

One of the main reasons why highly-sophisticated sensors have come down in price to affordable levels in the past few years is smartphones. 

The economies of scale achieved through having to produce literally billions of sensors for smartphones has established a strong manufacturing base for sensing technology.

And from that base, sensors are now driving many different markets, perhaps most interesting of which is the automotive market.  [Read more…] about Energised by smartphones, sensors are driving the automotive industry

Thailand prioritises robotics, aerospace, and auto industries as it looks to increase competitiveness

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thailand bmw factory 1
Pictures from BMW’s factory in Thailand

Managing an economy today is not easy. But managing it for tomorrow? Now that’s a real challenge. It’s one that the government in Thailand is tackling head on, with a raft of new policies aimed at future-proofing its workforce and industry, particularly in the automotive, robotics, and aerospace sectors.

The measures, known collectively as Thailand 4.0, are centered on incentivizing foreign direct investment and nurturing innovation for 10 key future-focused industries.

The goal is to foster an ecosystem that promotes emerging technology, innovation, and creativity within each of these sectors.  [Read more…] about Thailand prioritises robotics, aerospace, and auto industries as it looks to increase competitiveness