Top materials handling stories – Page 7
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Locus Robotics: Material handling robots a boost for service parts
What’s worse than having to locate a small part while staring at a wall of containers holding small parts? Accidentally sending the wrong part to a customer who is depending on you. Spare parts distributors are increasingly investing in automation that eases labor requirements and improves picking efficiency and accuracy in order fulfillment.
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Bridge over troubled waters
Kuehne + Nagel is supporting its automotive customers’ transition to an electrified future with the provision of battery chain services. At an event the company held in December, mobility and materials experts discussed the challenges facing the industry.
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Continental develops autonomous AGV for parts handling
Parts supplier Continental is developing its own automated guided vehicle (AGV) for the movement of heavy parts in its production facilities. Autonomous AGVs are currently being trialled at plants in Zvolen (Slovakia) and Frankfurt am Main (Germany), and moving material for brake production. They can carry loads of more than a ton.
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Watch: Supporting production through automation – from AI to cobots (Ep.4)
This Livestream Hour episode discusses how automation and AI can support automotive manufacturing with technology leaders from BMW and Ford, together with systems and software specialists.
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Marco Prueglmeier leaves BMW to found innovation consultancy
BMW’s project leader for logistics innovations and industry 4.0, Marco Prueglmeier, has left the carmaker to found an innovation consultancy called i2Market. The aim of the company is to provide industry with software development, robotics, automated warehousing, artificial intelligence and simulation.
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Watch: Sustainable packaging – unwrapping a greener automotive supply chain (EP.2)
This Automotive Logistics Livestream Hour episode focuses on efficiency and sustainability in automotive packaging, featuring packaging experts John Ferry from EV startup Lucid Motors and packaging consultant Rodney Salmon
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VW outsources more large sub-assemblies for EVs
In switching its Zwickau and Dresden plants in Germany to the production of exclusively electric vehicles based on the MEB platform, Volkswagen is outsourcing a higher share of the assembly of large parts of the vehicle to nearby suppliers than it previously had with ICE-based platforms.
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Watch: Scaling up battery and electric vehicle supply chains
Sales and production for electric vehicles are growing fast, as new vehicle and battery plants come on line. In this panel discussion at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live, global experts from Volvo Cars, Gefco and Maersk share insights on the logistics challenges and advantages in building efficient and nimble EV supply chains.
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Watch: How Volkswagen is charging an electric revolution in its supply chain
As Volkswagen Group gears up to manufacture 1.5m EVs per year by 2025, it is transforming its supply chain. Danny Auerswald, who leads the carmaker’s all-electric factory in Dresden, explains how Volkswagen is transforming plants and logistics to meet its electric and sustainability targets during Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live.
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Watch: Increasing automotive logistics automation
Manufacturers are looking for opportunities to automate more logistics processes and operations, with significant opportunities to be found in packaging equipment. In this panel from Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live, hear how Ford India and Macro Plastics are exploring new systems and equipment.
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Watch: Localisation and technology transform supply chains across industries
Advanced technology, changing consumer patterns, trade regulations and the coronavirus crisis have led firms like GE Appliances to revaluate their supply chains and logistics. Watch GE Appliance’s Harry Chase and Tata Consultancy’s Deepak Mavatoor share their expert views.
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Watch: The arsenal of health – how GM and Ceva Logistics shifted the supply chain to support the relief effort
In this special session at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live, General Motors’ Miguel Tavara and CEVA’s Dave Dudek detail how GM pivoted its manufacturing and logistics to produce ventilators and supply equipment, and what lessons were learned.
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Watch: Moving ahead of the pack in container management
Manufacturers are turning to new technology, data and sustainable materials to revolutionise returnable packaging and container management. Learn the strategies being used at Rivian, Ford Europe, Toyota North America and by returnable specialist CHEP.
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Watch: The rise of Industry 4.0 in automotive packaging
Location and tracking technology can help firms manage returnable automotive packaging more effectively than ever. At this special session of Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live, IT experts from Alps Alpine and Sigfox detail exciting new systems.
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Managing a dynamic global service parts network from Germersheim
Mercedes-Benz is using new ergonomic working principles and the latest digital technology to automate processes at its global parts logistics centre in Germersheim. Machine learning and cloud computing are also being used to help with demand planning for the high volume of parts the facility receives and distributes daily
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Rivian outlines sustainable packaging initiative
Electric vehicle start-up Rivian has revealed details of a plastic recycling initiative that aims by 2024 to collect 500,000kg (1.1m lbs) of single-use plastic annually and stop it from floating out to sea. Rivian will instead turn it into the containers it uses to move parts inbound to its production line.
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Yazaki’s proactive, risk-averse approach to the crisis a success, says Bo Andersson
Yazaki is taking a more strategic and coordinated approach to the automotive supply chain as it continues to stabilise production in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Bo Andersson, Yazaki’s president of Europe and CEO and president of North America, says the company is looking for opportunities to consolidate and improve logistics planning and control, including through the use of third party logistics (3PL) providers, greater localisation, communication and inventory planning
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Fully automated microfactories mean more resilient manufacturing says Arrival
Electric commercial vehicle maker Arrival could have as many as 1,000 automated microfactories operating by 2026, with the first now under construction. Localised supply is a priority and the manufacturing and logistics will be supported by industry 4.0 technology
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Toyota uses Fujitsu quantum computing to solve complex parts distribution
Toyota Systems has been working with Fujitsu on a quantum computing tool to organise the complex distribution of automotive parts in Japan. The companies have carried out a joint trial using Fujitsu’s Digital Annealer, a digital technology capable of performing parallel, real-time optimisation calculations at a speed and scale not covered by traditional computing, to solve a delivery problem with 3m potential routes for parts deliveries
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Skoda using biodegradable packaging for parts exports to India
Skoda Auto is testing biodegradable film for the packaging of vehicle components shipped from its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, to its Indian plant in Pune. The carmaker said the packaging will save around 500kg of conventional plastic film each month.