Assembly Planbook - June 2008 - (Page 12)

Assembly Lines Inventions New facilities Mergers gas emissions by 30 percent in our new vehicles by 2020,” Samardzich says. “They also deliver improved acceleration and smoother shifting.” Ford Shifting to Fuel-Efﬁcient Transmissions DEARBORN, MI—Ford Motor Co. says it plans to more than double the number of fuel-efﬁcient, six-speed automatic transmissions it installs in its North American cars and trucks by the end of 2009—to about 1.4 million transmissions annually. According to Ford vice president of powertrain operations Barb Samardzich, the transmissions provide a 4 percent to 6 percent increase in fuel economy compared with typical four- and ﬁve-speed gearboxes. With their increased gear span, the new transmissions allow a vehicle’s powertrain to operate more efficiently in a wide range of driving situations. “Advanced six-speed automatic transmissions are an important element in our sustainability strategy to improve fuel economy for our customers and reduce greenhouse Lincoln Electric Helping AWS Promote Welding MIAMI—Welding equipment manufacturer Lincoln Electric Co. (Cleveland) has donated $300,000 to the American Welding Society (AWS) to help relieve what AWS is describing as a “nationwide shortage” of welders. In addition to the donation, Lincoln Electric and AWS plan to collaborate on a number of marketing initiatives to promote welding careers and help bolster the ranks of welders. According to AWS, the average welder today is in his mid50s, and the lack of new welders entering the profession, coupled Despite a sluggish U.S. economy, regional-jet manufacturer Bombardier is forecasting strong demand for smaller jets in the coming decade. Report: Regional-Jet Market Still Strong BELFAST, Northern Ireland—Despite the ongoing downturn in the U.S. economy, regional-jet manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace predicts worldwide demand for small and mid-sized jets will remain strong in the coming years. Between 2008 and 2017, Bombardier predicts business aircraft manufacturers will deliver approximately 1,320 light jets and corporate airliners annually, compared to an industry average of 620 business jets per year in the previous decade. The company also predicts commercial airlines will buy approximately 12,900 new 20- to 149-seat jets worth $528 billion between 2008 and 2027. “As we transition to a more international customer base that features less emphasis on the United States, business jets and regional aircraft are expected to continue to generate strong interest across all markets,” says Bombardier vice president of business development Mairead Lavery. Despite concerns regarding the current downturn in the U.S economy, the “sustained vigor” of the European jet market has propelled Bombardier to revise its forecast upward from 2007 levels. In making its forecast, Bombardier analysts cite a number of positive indicators. These include an industry average order backlog equivalent to an estimated 29 months of production; a healthy market for used aircraft; a number of new aircraft programs scheduled to enter service over the next 2 years; and stable fractional ownership demand. 12 ASSEMBLY / June 2008 www.assemblymag.com Ford plans to rapidly increase the number of fuel-efficient six-speed transmission it installs in its new cars and light trucks. http://www.assemblymag.com

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Assembly Planbook - June 2008 Contents Editorial Bonding Lines Quality in Assembly Assembly Lines Assembly in Action Fastening or Bonding? Loose Lips Sink Assembly Systems DFMA Cuts Downstream Costs Robots Lend a Hand Products Advertisers Index Classified Leading Lean

Assembly Planbook - June 2008

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