SAE offers new credential program for engineers
SAE International is introducing a personnel credentialing program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a Certificate of Competency or Certification in the Design Review Based on Failure Modes (DRBFM) methodology. Created by industry professionals for industry professionals, the program was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The DRBFM Process and Application Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in DRBFM process methodology. Job roles include product engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, supplier quality engineers, validation and test engineers, and facilitators, trainers, and consultants in all industries. This credential requires completing an open-enrollment training course and passing an online exam. Registration is now open for the December 2012 offering of this program. For more information, contact SAE International at certification@sae.org or visit https://www.saecredentialingalliance.org/go/drbfm.
Allison and Dana license Fallbrook's NuVinci transmission technology
Dana Holding Corp. and Allison Transmission will use Fallbrook Technologies' Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) technology in new products under a "strategic relationship" announced by the three companies Sept. 13. Fallbrooks' NuVinci CVP is a traction-based class of continuously-variable transmission that is scalable and adaptable. In the basic design, a set of rotating balls is located between the input and output components. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio. Compared to other current technologies, Fallbrook claims its is less complex, scales and packages more easily, and costs less to manufacture. Under the deal, Allison has exclusive rights to use the Fallbrook CVP technology to develop and commercialize primary drivetrain transmissions for Allison's end markets, which could include commercial vehicles, military applications, and certain off-highway and large stationary equipment. Under a separate agreement, Dana will hold an exclusive license to engineer and produce transmission components and other advanced powertrain solutions for passenger and certain off-highway vehicles in the end markets that Dana serves. For end markets Allison Transmission serves, Dana and Allison have signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic alliance through which Dana would exclusively manufacture transmission components with NuVinci CVP technology for Allison. Full-scale production of transmissions with NuVinci-equipped components in Dana's off-highway markets is expected within the next three to five years, while implementation in passenger and commercial vehicles is anticipated before the end of this decade.
Parker acquires Indian hydraulics business
Parker Hannifin Corp. announced in mid-July that it had acquired the hydraulics manufacturing division of PIX Transmissions Ltd. based in Nagpur, India. PIX manufactures a range of hydraulic and industrial hose, hose assemblies, and fittings primarily used in general engineering, marine, agriculture, mining, construction, and HVAC markets. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquired business has annual sales of approximately $13 million, employs 470 people, and includes a recently upgraded $25 million manufacturing plant in Nagpur. The division will be integrated into Parker's Fluid Connectors Group, and sales will be reported as part of the International Industrial Segment. “The acquisition of the PIX hose and fittings business will allow us to solidify our position in India, which is a strategically important growth market, while establishing an important base to support growth in the region,” said Bob Bond, President of Parker's Fluid Connectors Group.
Dow expands composite processing capabilities
Dow Automotive Systems has expanded its capabilities in composite processing technology with two new development facilities—one in Freienbach, Switzerland, and the other in Midland, MI. The labs support global automotive and commercial transportation customers with an emphasis on carbon-fiber composites. The 200-m2 (2150-ft2) Composite Technology Center in Freienbach opened in April and is equipped with a large high-pressure resin transfer molding (RTM) machine for prototype production. It also offers development and testing facilities for resins and related adhesives, as well as an Adhesives Training Center. The Midland tech center, which opened in June, accommodates technologies associated with direct long-fiber processing, prepreg, preforming, compression molding, and laminating. This 465-m2 (5000-ft2) site is co-located with key corporate R&D capabilities including analytical sciences, the Materials Engineering Center, and polymer chemistry and processing related expertise. The two new composite technology facilities are part of Dow Automotive Systems’ strategy to support the industry’s push for more lightweight solutions.
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Dow Automotive Systems' new Composite Tech Center in Freienbach is equipped with a large high-pressure resin transfer molding (RTM) machine for prototype production.
Trelleborg begins production of agricultural tires in China
Trelleborg Group inaugurated a new facility in Xingtai, Hebei, China, on June 27 to manufacture high-performance specialty tires, primarily for the agricultural industry. The manufacturing site produces both radial and bias technology tires for farming, forestry, and agro-industrial applications, and Trelleborg expects the facility to strengthen its competitiveness in markets other than the Chinese, by broadening its range and through more efficient production. “There is enormous potential within the agricultural sector in China. Today, more than half of farming operations in the country are conducted manually and industry mechanization is taking place rapidly. The demand for high-performance agricultural tires is favorable,” said Business Area President, Trelleborg Wheel Systems, Maurizio Vischi. “Through this establishment, Trelleborg becomes the first global manufacturer of agricultural tires to have its own production in China. The facility provides proximity to Chinese customers, but also support to European and U.S. customers in the local Chinese market.” The Trelleborg Group has several other manufacturing facilities in China—in Huizhou, Shanghai, Wuxi, and Qingdao. The facilities manufacture a range of engineered products and solutions based on polymer technology, such as marine systems, specialty components, industrial anti-vibration, and precision seals.
ContiTech expands plastic tubes production in U.S.
ContiTech Fluid Technology is building a competence center for plastic lines in the U.S., its second plastics competence center worldwide after one in Waltershausen, Thuringia, Germany. The company is investing about $11 million in the existing ContiTech Thermopol hose factory in Somersworth, NH, to help meet demand in North America, with the first construction stage recently going into operation. ContiTech says that orders from Ford and Chrysler are already exhausting the capacities of the first plant, which has been in production since January. A second system has been ordered and is expected to be installed in October. The company expects the number of plastic tubes it produces to increase fourfold by the end of 2013 compared to 2012. The Somersworth plant was more than doubled in size two years ago for the extrusion of turbocharger hoses and the assembly of SCR (selective catalytic reduction) hose line systems for diesel engines. Volume assembly of SCR lines for Cummins started in June, and lines for Caterpillar will follow shortly, according to ContiTech. Previously, only silicone hoses were produced in Somersworth. The expansion of the plastics technology operations will see a third, 6700-m2 (72,120-ft2) production hall built on the grounds, and an expected increase in the number of employees from 220 presently to 335 by the end of 2013.
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The blow-molding line at ContiTech’s Somersworth plant in New Hampshire currently produces about 150,000 plastic tubes annually.
GE accelerates growth in mining equipment with two planned acquisitions
GE announced in mid-May that it is pursuing acquisitions of two underground mining equipment manufacturers in support of the global expansion of its mining business. GE has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Australia-based Industrea Ltd., a provider of safety and productivity-enhancing mining equipment and services. The transaction, valued at approximately A$700 million, is subject to Industrea shareholder approval. Its shareholders will vote on the offer in the second half of 2012, and GE expects the transaction to close later in 2012. The company also signed a binding Letter of Intent to acquire Fairchild International, an independently owned and operated underground mining equipment manufacturer located in Glen Lyn, VA. The transaction with Fairchild is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012; terms of the agreement were not disclosed. GE says that the two manufacturers are well positioned in dynamic growth regions for mining, including Australia, China (Industrea), and the U.S. (Fairchild). Both companies will become part of GE Transportation’s global mining business and will benefit from GE’s clean propulsion systems, energy-storage offerings, and system integration capabilities.
Michelin expands earthmover tire production in South Carolina
Michelin North America broke ground in April on a new earthmover tire manufacturing plant in Anderson County, SC, and is also expanding its existing earthmover tire facility in Lexington, SC. The two projects represent a $750 million investment. The new earthmover tire plant will be adjacent to the company’s existing rubber processing plant in Starr, SC, and is expected to be operational by late 2013. “The market for earthmover tires grew by more than 20% between 2009 and 2011. This new facility will help us meet sustained demand while also attaining our growth objectives for 2015,” said Jean-Dominique Senard, Managing General Partner of Michelin. The expanded operation at Lexington will begin production in October. In addition to the Lexington plant, Michelin currently produces earthmover tires in Waterville, Canada; Campo Grande, Brazil; Le Puy and Montceau-les-Mines, France; Vitoria, Spain; and Zalau, Romania. A spokesperson noted that the company does not disclose the production numbers of any Michelin tire, but Michelin North America’s Chairman and President Pete Selleck claims that “nearly every earthmover tire is sold before it is produced.”
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Michelin is building a new earthmover tire plant in South Carolina and is expanding another to satisfy growing demand worldwide.
Terex, Russian Machines form equipment-manufacturing JV
Terex Corp. and Russian Machines have completed the formation of a joint venture company for the manufacture of construction and road-building equipment in Russia. Under the agreement, the JV will manufacture, market, and sell certain Terex products and all Russian Machines construction and road-building products in Russia, as well as distribute certain products manufactured by Terex and exported into Russia. The companies first announced their intention to form a JV in the second quarter of 2011. “The Russian and CIS remain long-term attractive markets and the demand for fundamental infrastructure upgrade across the region is clear. This joint venture allows us to be closer to the customer and provide localized products to an increasingly important customer base,” said Ronald M. DeFeo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Terex Corp., a Westport, CT-based global manufacturer in the segments Aerial Work Platforms, Construction, Cranes, Material Handling & Port Solutions, and Materials Processing. Russian Machines is a major Russian diversified corporation, a part of Basic Element Co., comprising industrial and engineering assets in automotive, rail, aircraft, military vehicles, and road-construction machinery.
Deere to expand production of large tractors
Deere & Co. is investing $70 million to expand manufacturing capacity in its Waterloo, IA, operations, where large farm tractors are built for use around the world. The investment will increase capacity by more than 10% by the middle of 2013, helping Deere to better meet the continuing strong demand it sees for large tractors worldwide. Once the improvements are completed, enhancements to Waterloo facilities since 2002 will have increased manufacturing capacity for large tractors by more than 50%. Tractors built in Waterloo are shipped to more than 130 countries each year. Deere does not expect the investment to add manufacturing jobs there.
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