Manufacturing
Corvette past, present, future
Best of 2014: The car that lead's GM's engineering efforts.
Author: Robert Schoenberger
Manufacturing
Hydraulic hybrids gain attention in 2014
Auto sales finally got back above pre-recession levels in 2014 with August sales reaching a seven-year high. After six long years, sales levels have matched 2007’s pace. More importantly, several research groups expect 2015 continue to grow. Today’s Motor Vehicles allows marketers direct access to this healthy industry with continued growth.
Manufacturing
Fuel systems for CNG vehicles
Best of 2014: Getting natural gas from tanks to engines can be a challenge.
Manufacturing
Best of 2015 — Makino machining center for cast aluminum components
Lighter machining center designed for growing number of aluminum auto parts.
Manufacturing
Tearing down manufacturing monuments
Fori Automation is ramping up production of automated guided vehicles to replace assembly lines in manufacturing plants, offering more flexibility by allowing one piece of equipment to support multiple vehicles.
Engineering
Designing for the aftermarket
Ford engineers added special touches to new pickups and vans to make it easier to add shelves, ramps, and other custom commercial systems.
Engineering
Higher combustion pressure in big diesel engines
Combining multi-layer steel parts with high-tech elastomers has improved Federal-Mogul head gaskets, allowing truck producers to up engine pressure by 25% without adding mass to blocks and heads.
Engineering
With the right surface treatment, titanium might work for truck engines
Solar Atmospheres’ heat-treatment of lightweight metal with nitrogen lowers its coefficient of friction without sacrificing hardness.
Manufacturing
Computer controls for truck safety
Bendix safety systems keep truckers informed of road conditions and improve emergency maneuvering, but they don’t automate driving.
Industry
Aluminum Ford F-150 hits 26mpg highway, best in class for gasoline-powered pickup
Auto sales finally got back above pre-recession levels in 2014 with August sales reaching a seven-year high. After six long years, sales levels have matched 2007’s pace. More importantly, several research groups expect 2015 continue to grow. Today’s Motor Vehicles allows marketers direct access to this healthy industry with continued growth.
Manufacturing
Lowering costs, speeding cycle times
Working with Daimler, Heller has developed a machining system to spray thin liners on aluminum engine blocks, eliminating large, heavy cast-iron sleeves.
Manufacturing
Bringing steel-born technology to aluminum parts
Shiloh Industries creates laser-welded blanks out of aluminum, adapting a technology used for decades to cut weight and material in steel automotive parts.