DETROIT—Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow (LIFT), and the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence at The Ohio State University, have launched a new competition for high school college students from around the country merging the ancient skills of the blacksmith with the digital age of robotics to create new material forming capabilities called “Robotic Blacksmithing.”
DEARBORN, MI—Ford Motor Co. is teaming up with Jose Cuervo to explore the use of the tequila producer’s agave plant byproduct to develop more sustainable bioplastics to employ in Ford vehicles. Ford and Jose Cuervo are testing the bioplastic for use in vehicle interior and exterior components, such as wiring harnesses, HVAC units and storage bins.
WASHINGTON—The overall market added 255,000 new jobs in July, well ahead of forecasts of about 185,000. The three-month average is now up to 190,000, with the unemployment rate still at 4.9 percent. Manufacturing added 9,000 jobs in the month, and was the beneficiary of an upward revision for June from 14,000 to 15,000.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI—Robotic laser welding will play a greater role in body-in-white assembly lines, as automakers increase their use of lightweight materials, according to Peter Busuttil, director of technology for KUKA Systems North America.
FLINT, MI—C3 Venture is spending $9.68 million to build a new assembly plant here to make plastic interior components for automobiles. The factory is expected to employ 380 workers.
MONTGOMERY, AL—Automotive supplier Gerhardi Kuntstofftechnik will invest $37.9 million to build its first North American assembly plant here. The factory, which will make radiator grilles, handles and trim components, is expected to create 235 jobs.
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI—FCA US will invest $1.48 billion in its assembly plant here to retool it to build the next generation Ram 1500 and support the future growth of the Ram brand.
NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Automotive supplier Faurecia is working with Swisslog Warehouse & Distribution Solutions to prepare its assembly plant here for Industry 4.0.
CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen is planning to build electric vehicles in North America by 2020, in a bid to regain its lost image following the diesel emission scandal.
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