AMS Podcasts

Automation specialists ABB discuss new paint application technology in automotive applications that supports customer demands for greater personalisation of vehicles, while also improving the sustainability of processes

The constant advance of digital, communication and robotic technologies means that engineers are now looking at the ‘automation of automation’. It sounds exciting, but what does it mean in the real world of manufacturing and production?

In this AMS podcast, Lucas Majewski, director, Global Key Accounts Automotive for automation leaders Mitsubishi Electric looks at the bigger picture of medium- and long-term developments in automation and explains how they can help build a better future – starting with today’s issues.

Sustainability is a high priority throughout the automotive supply chain and suppliers are working more closely than ever with their clients to deliver sustainable solutions at every stage of the vehicle build. Delving deep into this we look at how developments in material science are enabling low carbon mobility in electric and internal combustion vehicles.

For this podcast AMS spoke to experts from Dow, Tim Boven, MobilityScience Commercial Director and Paul Vosejpka, MobilityScience R&D Director, to get some insights into the trends and challenges in material science developments for the automotive sector.

The sustainability of the supply chain is a high priority for car makers and tier suppliers. To find out how this is impacting materials suppliers AMS spoke with two experts from SSAB, Thomas Hörnfeldt, vice president for sustainable business and Robert Ström, senior design expert at the company’s Knowledge Service Centre.

Our discussion cover’s how SSAB is developing its business and production operations to produce fossil free steel, the changes in the automotive industry as it shifts to a more stainable future and the influence of changing consumer priorities as they consider the new electric vehicles.

www.ssab.com

Last year ArcelorMittal set out its strategy for decarbonising steel production. The steel producer has now launched a number of new initiatives to support this under the XCarb brand.

To get some insights into these new initiatives and their implementation, AMS spoke with Jean-Martin Van der Hoeven, responsible for the coordination and strategy of the company's global automotive business and alternative mobility solutions made with steel, and Hugo Campos who leads on sustainable development for flat products at ArcelorMittal Europe.

GeicoTaikisha, has consolidated its technological know-how and commercial position at a global level by acquiring three engineering companies.

The new members of the GeicoTaikisha Group are: J-PM, a technology services engineering and project management company; PSP, which specialises in electrical controls and SAC a specialist in the development of software and IT solutions to make plants “smart” from a 4.0 perspective.

AMS spoke with Daryush Arabnia, Chairman, President & CEO of GeicoTaikisha Group, to find out more about the acquisition, industry trends and technical challenges.

A key challenge for automotive materials producers is to lower the carbon footprint in the production process to ensure this contributes to meeting Paris Agreement targets.

AMS spoke ArcelorMittal’s Alan Knight, head of corporate responsibility and sustainable development and Jean-Martin Van der Hoeven, head of sustainable development– Flat Carbon Europe, to get some insight into the strategies and technologies the steel maker is implementing to dramatically reduce its carbon emissions in steel production.

The paintshop is an area of the vehicle production process that is under constant pressure to improve throughput and efficiency, while reducing materials and energy consumption. The new generation of electric vehicles and the need to improve the environmental sustainability of the painting process, have added to these challenges.

To get some insight into how vehicle makers are having to adapt, Nick Holt spoke to Dennis Taljan, general manager for PPG’s Automotive OEM services division.

www.automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com

Investing in the future

In this episode AMS editor Nick Holt talks to Ian Foley, managing director at electric vehicle powertrain developer and manufacturer, Equipmake.

Ian discusses managing his teams through the Covid-19 crisis, investing in more in-house manufacturing and shares his thoughts on the future of EV powertrain production.

Episode 6 is produced and presented by Nick Holt.

Episode sponsored by SSAB www.docol.com

The AMS Podcast returns with a three-part bumper episode. This first instalment comes from the compact confines of a new, Burnaston-built Toyota Corolla hybrid and the team discuss the OEM's position in a UK market freewheeling into Brexit.

Sticking with Toyota, deputy editor Gareth Price talks about his visit to OEM's joint venture facility with PSA in the Czech Republic. The TPCA factory produces a trio of platform-sharing city cars – a popular segment in recent years but one that faces an uncertain future.

AMS Podcast Episode 05 Pt 1 is produced and presented by the AMS editorial team, Nick Holt and Michael Nash.

www.automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com