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INDUSTRY NEWS
NEW AUTOMATION SOFTWARE SET TO REVOLUTIONISE LARGE-SCALE BATTERY MANUFACTURING
Honeywell has launched a new Battery Manufacturing Excellence Platform (Battery MXP). This is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software solution designed to optimise the operation of gigafactories from day one by improving battery cell yields and expediting facility startups for manufacturers. With traditional standalone solutions,
battery manufacturers’ material scrap rates can be as high as 30% at steady state and even higher during the facility startup process. This practice can lead to millions of pounds of wasted energy and material. Battery MXP incorporates AI techniques in the manufacturing process, which enables the detection and remediation of quality issues before they result in scrapped material. The
solution then utilises machine learning to identify conditions that lead to quality issues and turns this data into action-oriented insights that manufacturers can use to improve efficiency and productivity. By delivering powerful data that can improve quality control and decision making on the plant floor, Battery MXP is designed to help manufacturers cut production ramp-up time, reduce startup material scrap rates by 60% and increase delivery rates to meet the growing demand for lithium-based batteries. “With Honeywell’s Battery MXP and its
automation capabilities, we will be able to quickly and effectively establish a foundation for our network of gigafactories,” said John Kem, president of American Battery Factory.
AP RACING EXPANDS PAINT CUSTOMISATION CAPABILITY
In response to customer demand, brake and clutch supplier, AP Racing, is to expand its on-site paint customisation capabilities. Equipped with proprietary technology developed in partnership by AP Racing and its exclusive paint partner, the facility provides the ability for major OEM customers to specify individual paint combinations for calipers. Offering an extensive array of customisation options, with more than 800 colours and either flat,
metallic or pearlescent finishes, the facility stands as a testament to AP Racing’s dedication to meeting exacting customer needs. The investment will help to reduce overall lead-time by up to 80% for special colour options, providing customers with unparalleled efficiency and quality. As part of the expansion, a second shift is set to be added in Q2 2024, enabling the team to
increase both the scale and technicality of its services, with the objective of doubling its output. Lee Cowley, head of operations at AP Racing, commented: “AP Racing’s in-house paint facility
provides a flexible and scalable solution to meet the specific needs of our global customer base. Since opening the department last year, we have achieved a superior quality, while reducing scrap and cutting overall lead-times… This year, we aim to be painting in excess of 60,000 calipers. Thanks to our expanded offer, we will also be looking to offer the service to more customers, while simultaneously exploring new markets and wider applications.”
www.apracing.com
ANGLIA COMPONENTS PROVIDES ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION ON ITS SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERS
A new environmental resource hub on Anglia Components’ UK and European eCommerce platform,
www.anglia-live.com, aims to provide environmental information on each of its supply partners. This, the company explains,
will reduce the time buyers and compliance engineers are required to spend on compliance documentation when analysing supply chains to determine their own corporate environmental impact and ethical status. For each of Anglia’s authorised supply partners, the hub provides links to various environmental and ethical statements, such as the manufacturer’s environmental policy,
6 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JUNE 2024
its position on conflict materials, REACH, Modern Slavery and EU sanctions against Russia. John Bowman, marketing director at Anglia,
commented: “The manufacturers listed have confirmed they are committed to compliance with environmental regulations with the ultimate aim of protecting the environment and making prudent use of natural resources. By presenting their statements or certifications in one place, our customers can easily see the commitment their supply chain partners are making, speeding their
own regulatory processes.”
www.anglia-live.com
“This solution is vital in our manufacturing operation because it allows us to reduce scrap and scale up quickly, while also ensuring we meet international demand for high quality lithium iron phosphate batteries as we prepare for the unprecedented surge expected over the next decade.” Pramesh Maheshwari, president of
Honeywell Process Solutions, added: “With the construction of more than 400 gigafactories planned worldwide by 2030, Honeywell’s Battery MXP is a crucial technology that enables manufacturers to maximise cell yields and reach peak production much quicker than traditional methods.”
www.honeywell.com NEWS IN BRIEF
Moog has announced that the production of radial piston pumps will continue at the Bo
̈blingen site after the closure of the
Nuremberg plant at the end of 2026. This step is part of Moog’s strategy to simplify the business by consolidating global locations. The resulting synergy from bringing together the sales and service, engineering expertise and manufacturing operations at Bo
̈blingen will enable Moog
to build up an even stronger competitive advantage in hydraulic products and more effectively meet the needs of its customers.
www.moog.com
NORD has received the silver EcoVadis certificate.“In the combined assessment, we rank among the top 4% of the manufacturer group assessed by EcoVadis,” explains Jo
̈rg
Niermann, head of marketing at NORD. In the Environment category, Getriebebau NORD reached the top 1%; in the Sustainable procurement division it ranked among the best 11% of the assessed companies.
www.nord.com
Socionext Inc., a leading provider of advanced SoCs, has become a member of the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA), the voice of the global semiconductor industry. As a new member, Socionext stands
alongside over 300 corporate members across six continents, representing 75% of the $575b+ semiconductor industry. “Socionext’s membership in the GSA marks a significant milestone in our journey towards creating more connected and intelligent systems,” said Masahiro Koezuka, president and CEO of Socionext Inc. “We are excited to collaborate with our peers and contribute to the GSA’s mission of accelerating industry growth through a shared vision and collective action.”
www.socionext.com/en/
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