Category: Automotive
Historically, sheet metal stamping has been used extensively to produce automotive body panels. Although sheet metal stamping use has decreased with the advent of fiberglass body panels, sheet metal stamping is still the most popular material for manufacturing automobiles today. The addition of lasers and robotics to the automobile manufacturing process has further expanded the way that sheet metal stamping is processed.
Lasers
Lasers have been used in production facilities since the 1960’s. Today, they are used to cut, form holes, engrave, weld or heat treat sheet metal stamping for use in automotive production.
Lasers are used in applications that rely on precise measurements and exact alignments.
The adjustment of lasers is measured in micrometers, or millionths of a meter.
There are many different types of lasers used to alter sheet metal stamping and plastics in the automotive industry.
Carbon dioxide laser- uses a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium to produce a continuous laser output
Continuous-wave laser- this type of laser produces light beams continuously rather than in controlled pulses
Excimer laser-emits light in a UV spectrum that is used for producing high quality edges on parts that are prone to cracking or thermal damage; it falls into the category of pulsed-gas lasers
Gas laser-any laser that uses a gas mixture as the lasing medium; common gases are argon and carbon dioxide
Pulsed laser-emits light in controlled pulses and is preferred for thin materials ; it can be used to create intricate details and work in tight corners without burning
Ruby laser-a solid state laser that uses a synthetic ruby crystal with a chromium impurity as the lasing medium
Solid-state laser-a type of laser that uses a crystal or glass as the host for an impurity to produce the lasing action; especially useful for precise measuring and spot welding
Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser-ranges in power from a few milliwatts to more than 400 watts; used for cutting, drilling, heat treating and welding operations
Robotics
Robotics are often used for repetitive tasks, monotonous jobs or those parts of the manufacturing process that are physically difficult or take place in environmentally unpleasant conditions. They are directed by computer programs and perform precise operations without human intervention.
Lasers and robotics have significantly increased the speed at which sheet metal stamping can be processed in the automotive manufacturing process. Continued technological advancements in these two areas will further increase the cost effectiveness and productivity of automotive manufacturing facilities.
The Indian automobile industries as well as the industry related businesses are experiencing unprecedented growth. Associated sectors of the automotive industry are also developing and growing in a manner where they are forming independent competitive markets and recognized industries by themselves. The battery industry is one of the leading sectors in this respect. While, in the past, the battery industry was essentially an ancillary of the automotive industry, today, the battery industry has become a full-fledged industry sector on its own.
Exide technologies continue to be the world-leader in the battery industries. It is one of the biggest producers, distributors, and recyclers in the field of lead-acid cells, and sells them in over 80 countries. The Prestolite brand of batteries is a part of Exide technology launched by Tudor India in 1997.
In Gujarat, Tudor India arranged a meeting of its dealers and distributors at La Meridien Hotel for this purpose. The meeting, held on 17th November was attended by Mr. Ken Honge, the Vice President of Exide, the company’s Sales Director, Mr. Jasbir Mata, and Marketing Manager, Mr. Rahul Sagre among others. The meet discussed the present situation of the battery industry and shared the future planning of the company with its dealers and distributors.
The meeting was opened with the speech of Mr. Harish Gandhi, the Regional Sales Manager for Gujarat, who introduced Mr. Ken Honge, and welcomed the participants. After the introductory speech, the thread was picked up by Mr. Rahul Sagre, who gave an in-depth briefing of Exide company’s present status and future vision to the distributors.
Mr. Jasbir Mata told the distributors that more aggressive marketing was needed on their part so that Prestolite could maintain its market lead and expand to new territories. He stressed upon the need of after-sales service and customer service.
The general industry perception is that while the automotive industry, as a whole, has well-recovered from the effects of the global economic depression and has returned to the fast-track, the lead-acid battery sector has fallen behind and is yet to catch up to the pace of recovery. It is principally to address this anomaly that the Vice President of Exide Technology, Mr. Ken Honge visited India on a business research tour.
Mr. Mata was of the opinion that with the strong brand leads the distributors enjoyed with Prestolite, and with the global leading position of Exide technologies to back them, the distributors were in a sound position to accelerate growth and forge ahead of competition. Mr. Ken Honge shared the history of Exide Technologies and provided information on new technologies in lead-acid batteries. He stressed on the importance of India as a growing economy and one of the fastest developing markets of the world. He stressed that without proactive steps taken by the distributors it would be difficult to experience the desired brand growth in a dynamic economy like India.
Everyone is doing now doing almost anything online, as long as the necessary action does not require a physical presence. It is ideal for situations that require an exchange in information, and in the digital age, all information can simply be transferred to the digital format.
Online appointment scheduling can be a benefit to almost any business, including an automotive service and repair business. Automobile owners have become accustomed to having their autos checked periodically. We know that it necessary for proper maintenance and to extend the life of the automobile. The customary way of doing this, is usually to call the automotive service and repair shop, or the location where your vehicle is serviced and book and appointment. You may be fortunate enough to get an appropriate time in which to bring in the vehicle, but many times you may be forced to re-arrange your schedule, without knowing that your vehicle may be unavailable for a certain period.
There is now a way to avoid these inconveniences. Your automotive service and repair shop should have on online appointment and scheduling system. We are now in an age where anyone can be easily connected to the internet. Experts predict that in the coming years, being always online will become a natural part of being alive. Just as we need to continue breathing in air in order to live, we will need to be connected to the internet. The web can now be accessed from anywhere, from boats, planes, trains, autos, and the number of mobile devices that can access the web far exceeds desktop computers. Cheaper prices for bandwidth, and lower prices for electronic products including smartphones and tablets, bring accessibility to everyone. More appliances, and even clothing, will be enabled with access to the web in the very near future.
This means that customers will need fast and easy access to do things like booking appointments for automotive service and repair. The process is simple. You go online and reserve a required time, and get immediate confirmation. You can then re-arrange your other activities with some degree of confidence.
There are multiple benefits in the process, not only for the customer, but also for the business owner, who can then build a very valuable asset of a database of customers. Business owners can fully realize that it can cost up to 8 times as much to obtain new clients than it is to obtain new ones, and with a much valued client database, it can easily be more cost effective to maintain a business with existing customers. These clients can be contacted and notified of special deals or promotions.
It can also be done, by reading Quick Response codes that will re-direct the user to the Online Scheduling application, where the data can be entered. Manual transfer of information which is often accompanied by the opportunity for mistakes is eliminated. The process is secure, as it is now a legal requirement for all sensitive data to be encrypted. The software can even be integrated with your social networking accounts, such as Twitter and Facebook. More businesses of varying sizes are quickly appreciating the benefits that are realized with online scheduling and appointment software.
You may be surprised to learn just how much financial power rests in the hands of the person who answers the phone at your auto repair shop. As a shop owner, you put a lot of time into getting that phone to ring. The first phone call from a potential customer is your best chance to make a good impression. How is your business first represented to your potential patrons?
Customers needing auto repair have a sense of urgency when they make the call to your auto shop. Transportation is both a necessity and an investment; when they call your business for service, they want to know that their vehicles will be in capable hands. How is that first communicated to your potential clients? If your answering system involves an answering machine or an uninformed receptionist, you may be losing calls and clients by the day.
You may be the best shop with the most skilled mechanics in your local area, but if that is not communicated to your clients on the initial phone call, your business will suffer. The average auto repair ticket is approximately $300. If your phone answering system causes you to lose one call per day, and you are open 5 days per week, your business loses $1500 per week! This adds up to $78,000 annually!
Having a pre-determined script for any type of call that may come into your shop is an ideal way to assure that your receptionist handles inquires in a manner that will convert the call to sales, says Gerry Frank and Keith McCrone, co-owners of Automotive Profit Pro. When this is executed properly, 75% of calls can be converted into appointments.
Customers typically call auto shops for three main reasons:
1.They have a question or problem. This customer usually calls asking if you can fix their air conditioner or if you work on specific types of cars, such as, Do you work on Hondas? They want to know that you can confidently take care of whatever problem or vehicle that they may have.
2.Calling to schedule an appointment. This may be a current customer or a new prospect and they may be calling for either routine service or an emergency. It is important to determine all of the variables of the caller and help them accordingly.
3.To get an estimate. This person is usually labeled as the price shopper. Dont underestimate this caller; more often than not this customer is looking to establish a relationship with you and your auto repair shop.
Each of these phone calls is an opportunity to set an appointment and clinch the sale. Building a relationship with your potential clients as their auto care professional is established through their ability to trust you with their auto maintenance needs.
Most people assume they know what antifreeze does in a car’s engine. After all, it is pretty obvious if you just look at the name. It is a chemical agent that keeps the parts of the car engine from freezing. Antifreeze does more than just that for your engine. How does it do everything all at the same time? The answer is in its make-up.
The Chemical Make-up
Antifreeze does keep an engine from locking up because of its chemical make-up. The ingredients in antifreeze combine to make a reaction where the fluids in a car cannot freeze. The reaction of the chemicals will always stay warm enough for all of the parts to keep functioning, no matter how cold it gets. The exception to this rule is oil. An oil pan might need a heat engine block installed if you live in areas that are consistently below zero for extended periods. Antifreeze does not mix with the oil to keep it warm while the car sits out in the garage at night.
Just as the antifreeze keeps the engine from freezing, it also works in reverse. The chemical reaction with the fluids also keeps the engine cool during the summer months so that it does not overheat. How is this possible? Well, it’s possible because of the science behind the ingredients used to make up antifreeze. The properties in the antifreeze also work to cool the engine so the parts do not get too hot and they can still run together without friction causing too much heat.
An engine needs to be kept at a certain temperature to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Keeping the antifreeze levels up all year will allow the engine to run at temperatures where it can do just that. Antifreeze levels can be checked at a service center when the oil is changed. The antifreeze can also be inspected during a maintenance check to see if it is the correct color or if it needs flushing. Sometimes, dirt can get in the fluids and they need to be changed, especially after there are several thousands of miles put on an engine, and if your car travels over roads with dirt.
Antifreeze Can Be Dangerous
Even though the compound is called antifreeze, it anti-boils, too. Since the compound is chemical in nature, it is dangerous to the touch. Keep antifreeze away from children and pets. There is an ingredient in antifreeze that is sweet and will attract pets. However, this ingredient is fatal and could kill a cat or a dog who was caught licking it off the garage floor or from the container in the garage.
If there is antifreeze in containers in your garage, then keep them on a shelf where they cannot be easily reached. If there is a puddle on the floor in the garage, clean it up, and then head to the repair shop to see where the problem is in your engine. Going without antifreeze is hazardous to your car, even in the summer. The name might be deceiving, since the car engine needs antifreeze during both hot and cold days in order to run properly.