T he automotive industry faces unprecedented challenges in its supply chain management. This is due to factors such as raw material shortages, transportation disruptions, energy price hikes, currency fluctuations and pandemic lockdowns. These challenges have exposed the vulnerabilities of the current supply chain model. The existing supply chain relies heavily on just-in-time inventory practices and global sourcing of critical components such as semiconductors.
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Pressmark utilise sensors to collect data and improve business processes
T he Manufacturing Information Platform (MIP) created by WMG, part of the University of Warwick, has been helping Pressmark collect data to improve its manufacturing processes. So far, the technology has helped the business analyse machine downtime, discover the bottleneck and change the process to become more time-efficient.
Atherstone based high-quality metal pressings firm Pressmark has been continuously improving business throughout their longevity, regardless of challenges brought on by the pandemic. With the knowledge and capability of supporting a wide variety of clients, the firm strives to improve its customers’ experience through collecting data and reducing downtime where possible.
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How Industry 4.0 will reinvigorate UK manufacturing
I n manufacturing technology, there is a current trend in data exchange and automation called Industry 4.0 (pronounced four point zero). It mainly comprises the internet of things, cognitive computing, cyber-physical systems, and cloud computing. Industry 4.0 is also called the fourth industrial revolution. Industry 4.0 is about digitisation that brings the physical and virtual worlds closer together. This ensures that each learns from one another. Although Industry 4.0 has set out to transform how companies approach business, the UK is lagging in this. As a result, it has a hurdle to climb to keep up with other European countries and other international countries.
Diesel engine – is it dying or not? Have your say!
N ow the question is, is there any way back for the diesel engine in the UK market? To get the right answer to this question we need to consider a lot of things, according to a European commissioner that said, ‘Diesel cars are finished’. Not everybody will accept his claim, but let’s review a few things and then consider if there is any future hope for the diesel engine in the UK market.
FMEA & FEA – impact on Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing
Aerospace & defence manufacturing usually commands a lot of expertise, as both industries deal with production of systems with both complex designs and functionality. Therefore, their entire manufacturing processes are carried out with an extra level of precision, since any small defect will inevitably lead to the loss of multiple lives.
For instance, whenever aircraft are in the air, the lives of those in it are solely dependent on how well the systems of the aircraft were designed, developed and manufactured. Any minor errors that are made during the design, development or manufacture of any one of the thousands of components in the aircraft, will potentially lead to a significant number of fatalities. The same applies to any of the defence vehicles which are used by our military personnel, where the lives of the men and women in uniform using them, are dependent on how well these machines were designed, assembled and tested.
Performance, weight & costs of aluminum vs high strength steel in automotive
Building cars can be an expensive industry and while we know that buying a new car can be quite expensive on its own, the automaker is also responsible for a fair amount of the upfront costs as well. Whilst steel prices fluctuate, in general they go up and OEM’s continue to squeeze their supply chain.
Biomimetics – a tool for development of new materials
Biomimetics is on everyone’s lips and it is now difficult to imagine a future where it does not play a key role in the development of our society. The development of new materials is not unconcerned with this new discipline, though we must be aware of what we can obtain (and what we cannot) from imitating nature.
Are Hybrid and Electric Vehicles the Future?
Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are offering a fair argument that they could be the future of travel. As well as the ability to reduce carbon emissions by running on zero emissions, imagine how convenient it would be to fill up just once a month or plug in your vehicle at night to recharge and go.