Having a zero landfill plant is great for automakers, but it isn’t something they can achieve on their own. Tier 1 suppliers, waste-retrieval companies and vendors all play an important supporting role. One such vendor is Orbis Corp. which, for the past several decades, has helped various automakers become zero landfill by supplying their Tier 1 suppliers with reusable containers.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. became the first zero landfill auto plant in the United States in 2004, but it wasn’t long before many other automakers followed SIA’s example, including General Motors. Other automakers, like BMW MC in Greer, SC, are on the path to becoming zero landfill.
Fuel systems, engines, landing gear, ventilation systems and other aerospace devices that rely on numerous tanks, pumps, actuators, lines and fittings must be tested for tightness during both assembly and maintenance applications.
In the near future, energy harvesting and inductive power transfer technology may replace electrical wires, power cords and batteries in a wide variety of applications.
Evolving technology, such as carbon nanotubes, fiber optics and printed electrical systems, may provide the backbone of future electrical distribution systems in cars, trucks, locomotives, aircraft and other vehicles.
In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama challenged Americans to be more innovative. That means developing new materials, new products and new production processes. To tackle that challenge, manufacturing engineers must harness the power of “smart assembly” tools and systems.
RSS
