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Articles tagged with "automotive"

Results: 40

	Advancements in waterjet technology By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal® Editor When Jack Budd, president of Precision Waterjet, Orange, Calif., purchased his first waterjet system seven years ago, he expected most of the company's work to come from the aerospace industry, which was robust at the time. When business from that industry tapered off, he searched for new customers in the architectural, signage, and automotive aftermarket industries. Publish date: July 24, 2003 Tech cell: Waterjet Cutting
	Using hydroforming aluminum components versus steel stampings: The contender gains points, but the champion is still in the fight By: Daniel Hunter, Contributing Writer This article examines two transitions that are occurring in the automotive industry—the change from stamping to hydroforming, and the substitution of aluminum where steel was used previously. Publish date: November 15, 2001 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Examining the effects of push assist on the formability of aluminum tubes By: Ghafoor Khodayari Ph.D., and Michael Worswick, Ph.D., Contributing Writers It is well-known that tube has become an important material for hydroforming hollow components. The increasing complexity of product structures, particularly in the automotive industry, often requires one or more forming operations before a tube actually is hydroformed. Prebending is one of these forming processes used to prepare tubes for the so-called prebent tube hydroforming. Publish date: July 10, 2003 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Tier 1 supplier builds four-stage competitive strategy By: Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal� F & P Manufacturing Inc., a tier-one automotive components supplier, focused on four areas when it developed a hydroforming line for manufacturing Honda Accord engine cradles. These areas were eliminating end scrap, decoupling the bending machines from the manufacturing line, reducing cycle time, and palletizing parts. Publish date: July 24, 2003 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Making the most of hydroforming: Pursuing product potential and possibilities By: Klaus Heimerl and Ulrich Lücke, Contributing Writers Hydroforming has become a competitive metal forming method and has succeeded in many applications because of its weight- and cost-saving attributes, elimination of joining operations, and ability to offer part design for confined spaces. Publish date: September 25, 2003 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Hydroforming heats up: New techniques and equipment push industry forward By: Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal� Hydroforming was one of the fastest-growing metal forming technologies during the 1990s. Most of U.S. industry cooled down during and after the recession of 2001, but things have been heating up lately, and the world of hydroforming is no exception. The North American Hydroforming Conference and Exhibition (Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 in Dayton, Ohio), which was sponsored by the Tube & Pipe Association, International® (TPA), and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), showcased new techniques, equipment, and applications that are moving the industry forward. Publish date: January 13, 2004 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Part feature developments in hydroforming products: Hydroforming continues to make automotive inroads By: Gary Morphy, Contributing Writer Tube hydroforming technology continues to develop in ways that improve part utility, economy, or process robustness. Auto parts that have recently been produced by hydroforming include roof rails, radiator enclosures, a front-end structural module, and roof rails. Publish date: March 25, 2004 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Steering toward aluminum Trends in the automotive industry By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Advances in the use of aluminum for cars and trucks could pave the way for greater use of the metal in the future. Publish date: February 28, 2002 Tech cell: Metals/Materials
	Stretching metal's forming limits with HSP lubricants: Forming aluminum, high-strength steel without tooling upgrade By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer Publish date: June 12, 2003 Tech cell: Metals/Materials
	To e, or not to e?: Hamlet.com? Not quite, but automakers trying to save princely sums via Internet By: Bernard Swiecki, Contributing Writer The idea was to have e-commerce solve everything. Then the thud of a million dot-coms hitting bottom gave people a new perspective. Are automakers still hip on e-commerce? You'd better believe it. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Building a better business model: Strategic planning basics for automotive stampers to improve profit By: Jason C. Brewer, Contributing Writer Just what is a strategic business model, and how can it be developed and used by an automotive stamping supplier wanting to boost its bottom line? Publish date: October 11, 2001 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Car Corner: OEMs sock it to suppliers: Drive for profits runs parts manufacturers off the road, study shows By: Bernard Swiecki, Contributing Writer The businesses that supply the auto industry with its parts are doing more and more work for less and less of the pie. Publish date: August 29, 2002 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Fabricating precision parts for automobiles: Examples of Malaysian manufacturers stepping up to strong demand By: Hafiz Mohd, Contributing Writer The Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) trade ministers have agree to move ahead with a closer economic partnership with Australia and New Zealand as an initiative amid the global economic slowdown. This article describes how some Malaysian companies are addressing productivity and cost issues. Publish date: November 29, 2001 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Pinpointing future laser welding markets By: Lincoln Brunner, Contributing Writer Aficionados of laser welding technology at times must feel a little like telephone vendors beamed back to 1603. They know almost everyone is going to use them in the future, but getting buy-in today can be like hawking loans at 25 percent-lots of interest and few takers. Publish date: October 23, 2003 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Four Canadian automotive fabricators and what drives their success: The fast, the lean, the fair, and the curious By: John Cooper, Contributing Writer Publish date: August 10, 2004 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Don't underestimate India: TPA tours the country that could overtake U.S. by 2050 By: Nancy Olson, Contributing Writer TPA recently hosted a tour of eight tube and pipe producers and fabricators throughout India. Although the country is not advanced, this tour and a recent report by Goldman Sachs reveal where it stands and where it is likely to go in the near future. Its capabilities are modernizing and Goldman Sachs expects its economy to overtake the U.S. economy by 2050. Publish date: June 12, 2007 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Lean on it: Despite roots in high-volume production, lean manufacturing can still help job shops By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief Publish date: August 10, 2004 Tech cell: Shop Strategies
	Drawing on the strength of people: How one stamper is breaking the rules, retaining quality employees By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer During the recent economic downturn, sheet metal stampers, die shops, and some job shops experienced layoffs and some closed their doors. However, a few stampers have remained profitable despite uncertain economic times. Publish date: April 10, 2003 Tech cell: Training and Retention
	Contract stamper increases die life and draw die productivity: Link-drive presses, value-added services, and employee initiative keep the company competitive By: Heinz Becker, Contributing Writer Publish date: November 15, 2001 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Metal stamping and electromagnetic forming: New process improves material formability, reduces wrinkling By: Helen Gallagher, Contributing Writer This article describes the development of electromagnetic forming (EMF) and how EMF works. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Auto industry demands shape the future of stamping By: Ohio State University As the stamping industry heads into a new century, it continues to be driven primarily by the automotive industry. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Predicting springback in air bending, straight flanging By: Taylan Altan, Contributing Writer All businesses tied to the metal forming industry are scrambling to find areas in which they can lower costs without sacrificing quality. Adding to this burden are a tight cash flow and a lack of financial resources to invest in process improvement equipment. Therefore, the savings must come from doing more with less. Publish date: October 9, 2003 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Dangerous curves: Jaguar successfully mass-produces the industry�s first aluminum body structure By: Kathleen McLaughlin, Contributing Writer Publish date: June 8, 2004 Tech cell: Press Technology
	The problem with quality: A closer look at quality ratings By: Bernard Swiecki, Contributing Writer In May, automotive quality gurus J.D. Power & Associates released the results of its 2003 Initial Quality Study (IQS). As is the case every year, the winners will trumpet their scores while the losers will promise improvement. A closer look at the numbers, however, reveals some interesting observations. Publish date: July 10, 2003 Tech cell: Testing and Measuring
	Part nesting and die design tips for reducing and utilizing scrap in stamping operations By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer You might be able to gain a competitive edge by learning how to reduce the amount of engineered scrap, or that material that was inteded to be scrap rather than scrap created because of defective piece parts. Publish date: November 15, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Taking an integrated build approach to stamping tool tryout By: Jay Baron, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Market pressures to reduce tooling costs are pressing the tool and die industry to seek lower-cost tooling solutions. This column discusses different build approaches and the merits of an integrated build for trying out stamping dies (and molds) as part of the manufacturing validation process. Publish date: June 26, 2003 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Investing in lubricants: Increasing your profits 7 percent by changing metals By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer All businesses tied to the metal forming industry are scrambling to find areas in which they can lower costs without sacrificing quality. Adding to this burden are a tight cash flow and a lack of financial resources to invest in process improvement equipment. Therefore, the savings must come from doing more with less. Publish date: October 9, 2003 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Venturing Into the World of 3-D Die Design: 10 questions to ask to make an informed decision By: Robert W. Harper, Contributing Writer 2-D, or not 2-D; that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler to venture out into a brisk, bold, new world of 3-D or to stick with old, reliable methods in 2-D. Publish date: March 11, 2004 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Automotive motives - Tips for cutting per-piece prices for automotive customers By: Brad Vigar, Contributing Writer Today's automotive industry is more competitive than ever. To compete with the European, Mexican, and Asian markets, the U.S. market must become more aggressive in finding ways to cut costs. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Using a gel-type tube lube: Manufacturer decreases waste, improves lubrication By: Keith M. Karbum, Contributing Writer Publish date: October 23, 2003 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Comparing single-cut and dimple-free tube mill cutoffs: When to employ each system By: John J. Pavelec, Contributing Writer This article covers the application of single-cut and dimple-free cutoff shear technologies as they are applied to contemporary high-speed tube mills. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	How to recognize, minimize weld smut By: Frank Armao, Contributing Writer Publish date: April 10, 2003 Tech cell: Aluminum Welding
	Advantages of plasma welding: Often-overlooked PAW offers speed and affordability By: Randy Dull, Contributing Writer Plasma arc welding sometimes offers greater welding speed than gas tungsten arc welding at lower cost than laser beam welding. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Ironworkers and contractors adapt to FCAW trends By: Neal Borchart, Contributing Writer Welders who want to become proficient in a technology whose time has come should look into getting certified for flux-cored arc welding. Publish date: May 15, 2001 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Welding exhaust system components: Laser technology may aid this traditionally high-volume application By: Frank Brennan, Contributing Writer In the field of automobile exhaust systems, such components as manifolds, pipes, catalytic converters, and mufflers are joined either by the car manufacturer or by a subcontractor to form a subassembly ready for attachment. Publish date: September 17, 2001 Tech cell: Automation and Robotics
	Racing against the clock: Contract manufacturer measures success one second at a time Prince Industries Inc., a contract manufacturer of CNC machined components, branched out into CNC fabricated components several years ago when it purchased two turret punch presses, a plasma machine, and a laser with manual loading and unloading. These machines were quickly overburdened with the growing workload, so the company sought a more modern laser with automated material handling. Publish date: December 7, 2004 Tech cell: Automation and Robotics
	Selecting a shielding gas for joining stainless steel: The right choice is critical for success By: Kevin Lyttle and Garth Stapon, Contributing Writers Publish date: June 8, 2004 Tech cell: Consumables
	Producing side-impact profiles: Automotive body part combines roll forming, punching, laser welding By: Werner Wasmer, Contributing Writer The ramming machine bores into the side of the new automobile at a speed of 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour. Within a fraction of a second, sensors situated all over the test dummy signal details of the stress load. Shortly afterward the overall results of the Euro-NCAP crash test will appear in all the specialized automobile magazines. Publish date: January 13, 2004 Tech cell: Laser Welding
	Projection welding for nut and bolt attachment: Competing or complementary joining methods? By: John Larsson Projection welding, also known as resistance fastener welding, is the most common method for nut and M- or T-thread bolt welding. This article examines recent experiments with projection welding of those components to various high-strength steel components. Publish date: February 12, 2008 Tech cell: Resistance Welding
	Testing new waters Down Under: Australian auto industry looks to benefit from lasers, information sharing By: Hafiz Mohd, Contributing Writer Capitalizing on the latest laser and information sharing technology, theAustralian auto industry is working to achieve critical mass within itsdomestic market and to take advantage of the opportunities offered bye-commerce. Publish date: December 12, 2002 Tech cell: Laser Cutting