The automotive industry has a decisive role in the economy of developed countries. Sheet metal forming – as one of the main processes in car manufacturing – has similarly important role. Concerning ...the recent trends in car production, the application of lightweight constructions principles is the main priority to meet customers' demands and the increased legal requirements. To meet these expectations, the application of high strength materials is regarded as one of the most promising possibilities. Applying high strength materials – beside high strength steels like DP1000, TRIP780 recently aluminium alloys, e.g. AA7021 or AA7075 – have a positive response for many of the requirements: increasing strength results in the application of thinner sheets together with significant mass reduction, leading to lower consumption with increased environment protection; however it can often lead to the decrease of formability, too. In this paper, an introduction on recent material developments in the automotive industry concerning both the use of new generation high strength steels and light metals with particular emphasis on aluminium alloys will be given. A comparison between steel and aluminium application in the automotive industry is given from various points of view. Since our main topic is the sheet metal forming, in this paper the body-in-white manufacturing in the automotive industry is the primary focus field.
The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for analyzing the relationships among Additive Manufacturing adoption, flexibility, and performance in the supply chain context. No ...empirical study was found in the supply chain literature that specifically examines the relationships among Additive Manufacturing adoption, flexibility and performance; the paper therefore fills an important gap in the supply chain literature. The research is based on a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey from a total of 124 medium-and large-sized European Union automotive manufacturing companies. The hypothesized relationships are tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The research provides insights into how supply chain flexibility mediates the effect of Additive Manufacturing adoption on supply chain performance in the context of European automotive industry. Research findings indicate that Additive Manufacturing adoption positively impacts supply chain flexibility and that, in turn, supply chain flexibility positively impacts supply chain performance. This suggests that companies should focus on flexibilities in the supply chain to improve its performance. Overall, these findings provide important insights into the value of Additive Manufacturing adoption for supply chain flexibility and performance.
•Vehicle manufacturing process is described focusing on the energy sources and use.•The paint shop is reviewed focusing on components, paints and energy utilisation.•Energy efficiency and thermal ...management practice are highlighted.•Future steps towards the realisation of a low-carbon automotive sector are discussed.
The automotive industry is facing on-going challenges to improve the sustainability of its manufacturing processes and vehicle emissions due to economic, environmental, marketability and policy concerns. This review aims to evaluate steps that could be taken by automotive manufacturers to further reduce energy consumed during manufacturing processes, particularly focusing on thermal management of low-temperature heat sources that are extensively present in the whole plant and in the paint shop. Through an extensive literature review on the subject, this article presents vehicle production processes, the past and future drivers, and strategies towards sustainability. Firstly, the whole vehicle manufacturing process is explained focusing on the energy sources and their use in the plant. Then, the paint shop is described as being responsible for the highest energy consumption in the production process, focusing on components, paints and energy utilisation. After presenting the practice performed by automotive manufacturers to reduce the energy consumption of their production process in terms of energy efficiency and thermal management, the article is closed by future steps that could be undertaken by the automotive industry towards the realisation of a low-carbon sector. It is concluded that unexploited potential for heat recovery in the paint shop is present in the low-temperature range and this waste heat could be effectively exploited by liquid desiccant technology for energy consumption reduction and could increase paint quality of the painting process due to more efficient moisture control.
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the complexity of collaborations in supply chain networks, particularly the influence of horizontal collaborations (e.g. international joint ventures) on ...vertical collaborations (e.g. supplier–manufacturer partnering relationships).
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple case study including four horizontal collaborations and five vertical collaborations within a supply chain network is presented in the context of the Chinese automotive industry. Data interpretation from interviews is structured by key collaborative activities and collaborative behaviors.
Findings
The analysis highlights a variety of collaborative behaviors under different types of collaboration and their interaction. The complexity of collaboration is revealed in a range of dimensions including culture diversity, drivers/facilitators, competitive/collaborative advantages and the engagement of all. Collaboration evolves as the structure of the supply chain changes; the key is to appreciate the existence of cooperation, competition and culture conflicts and to manage the trade-offs.
Research limitations/implications
A window of opportunity is presented for future research to investigate the complexity of supply chain collaboration in a wider industrial or geographical context, including statistical validation and comparative analysis.
Practical implications
A contingent view on supply chain collaboration is promoted to practitioners (e.g. international supply chain managers), where collaborative activities should be aligned with the motive and type of business relationships which may change as collaboration develops.
Originality/value
A rare empirical study captures the complexity of supply chain collaboration including the interaction between different forms. A dynamic collaboration approach recognizes the changing process, varying cooperation behaviors as well as characteristics of partners which have not been sufficiently reflected in the literature.
This study introduces deadlock avoidance algorithms for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) within warehouse fulfillment systems. Numerous AGVs are tasked with transporting requests to deliver shelves ...to workers stationed at various locations. The pathfinding challenge within such systems is identified as the Multi-Agent Pickup and Delivery (problem) and has been extensively explored in computer science and AI. Nevertheless, most prior research was conducted in environments that are discretized and allow circular movements of AGVs, potentially leading to deadlocks in real-world applications. Our proposed algorithm leverages a dynamic path block method and path reservation. Specifically, it limits movement to certain edges when AGVs navigate along reserved paths, while the remaining AGVs plan their routes using unrestricted edges. We show that our algorithm not only effectively prevents deadlocks but also scales well in environments with a high number of AGVs.
•The study introduces a deadlock avoidance algorithm for AGVs.•Deadlock-free path planning framework for bidirectional AGV systems is proposed.•The algorithms’ superior performance is demonstrated with simulation results.
This review critically evaluates the latest trends in fuel cell development for portable and stationary fuel cell applications and their integration into the automotive industry. Fast start-up, high ...efficiency, no toxic emissions into the atmosphere and good modularity are the key advantages of fuel cell applications. Despite the merits associated with fuel cells, the high cost of the technology remains a key factor impeding its widespread commercialization. Therefore, this review presents detailed information into the best operating conditions that yield maximum fuel cell performance. The paper recommends future research geared towards robust fuel cell geometry designs, as this determines the cell losses, and material characterization of the various cell components. When this is done properly, it will support a total reduction in the cost of the cell which in effect will reduce the total cost of the system. Despite the strides made by the fuel cell research community, there is a need for public sensitization as some people have reservations regarding the safety of the technology. This hurdle can be overcome if there is a well-documented risk assessment, which also needs to be considered in future research activities.
Objective - Rapid innovation and globalization have generated large opportunities, and also choices in the marketplace for firms and customers. Naturally, competitive pressures have led to production ...and internationalization, leading to a significant increase in products. The post tries to identify the need for legitimate time business intelligence that contained supply chain analytics. Design/methodology/approach - The paper offers argument and analysis of the advantages, and also hurdles in BI. Outcomes - The newspaper concentrates on the importance of revisiting the conventional BI concept, which fuses and consolidates information of a business, to assist service oriented businesses and also search for retention and customer loyalty. Enhancing effectiveness and productivity of supply chain analytics dealing with a BI tactic is essential to a company's opportunity to reach the competitive advantage. Originality/value - This newspaper furthers understanding of the issues that involve the use of BI products in supply chains.
The automotive industry remains one of the most significant contributors to total global emissions worldwide. This growing challenge is primarily attributed to the high dependency on fossil fuel as ...its primary source of energy. This review highlights the current state of the application of fuel cells in the automotive industry, as well as the technological advances made in comparison to the early years of the automotive sector. Future prospects of these technologies are also thoroughly reviewed. Factors impeding the advancement of these technologies while also impeding their commercialization are presented, with possible solutions to this problem also suggested. In summary, this investigation seeks to explore pragamatic approach that can be adopted to reduce the overall cost of fuel cells and their possible integration in the automotive industry.
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