XIAOLAN, China—Comau has designed and deployed a flexible body-in-white (BIW) manufacturing line for JMC Ford’s assembly plant here, which produces high-end pickup trucks. 

Ironically, the tool used to reduce inflation—higher interest rates—has made investing in automation more expensive.

Digital twins facilitate design of robotic assembly systems, from prototype to high-volume production.

SOUTHFIELD, MI—Automotive supplier Lear Corp. is set to acquire WIP Industrial Automation, a Spain-based systems integrator with a focus on advanced automation for industrial applications. The deal is expected to close by the third quarter of 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals.

Traditionally, airplane manufacturing has been difficult to automate, due to factors such as tight tolerances and stringent quality demands. However, a new breed of robots enhanced with artificial intelligence technology promises to change that scenario.

A linear motor transfer system is key to increasing flexibility and efficiency in a high-mix, high-volume production environment.

Nominees include AI software, a fast and precise robot, and a smart workbench for error-proof assembly.

Lion expects to produce approximately 14,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles per year at its.
new assembly plant in Mirabel, Quebec. Meeting that sort of production volume requires automation.

The process of disassembling EV batteries is mostly a manual process. Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory are trying to change that.

Systems integrator develops unique automation process to disarm mortar rounds filled with deadly mustard agent.