Every leak test system has one thing in common: The product being tested must be effectively sealed and fixtured.

China offers big challenges for automotive assemblers, but also huge opportunities.

Most people who purchase a BMW X3 have no idea that it's not built by the company from Munich, Germany, that claims to provide "the ultimate driving machine." The $36,000 sport utility vehicle is actually assembled by Magna Steyr, a contract manufacturer that builds cars for several other automakers, including DaimlerChrysler (Auburn Hills, MI) and General Motors Corp. (Detroit).

Engineers are finding new ways to cost-effectively assemble the next generation of automotive safety devices.

Whether applying a bead of adhesive to automotive glass or gasketing material to an appliance door, six-axis robots can dramatically improve the quality of the operation.

Bushings, bearings, pins and other parts are often assembled with an interference fit.

Motivational leadership encourages lean thinking to develop with only a modest investment in formal programs. Malignant leadership is fatal to lean.

More tools are available to push the leak testing envelope.