Automotive TNT

The supply chain for the automotive industry integrates four groups of players: original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), first-tier suppliers, sub-tier suppliers, and infrastructure suppliers.

As the automotive industry shifts from a traditional local business model to a global one, OEMs and their suppliers are experiencing much disruption and many challenges.

Key challenges faced by automotive companies

Transforming from local to global

Increasing globalization drives increased operational complexity. This requires a focus on integrating technology and processes which is costly and time consuming. While growth is clearly a goal of many automotive executives, cost reduction continues to be an important driver. The challenge is to balance these needs as well as managing supplier partners, product quality and local regulations.

Automotive companies are often restricted by local content and compliance regulations, requiring the establishment of multiple support centers across the globe. Local supply chain networks are required for accessing local markets and ensuring that products meet market-specific requirements.

Low cost country sourcing

More and more supply chains originate in low-cost countries, primarily in Asia and Eastern Europe and as a result, traditional organizational structures and business practices are being challenged. The aim is to achieve greater scale and cost efficiencies while capitalizing on rapidly expanding markets such as China and India.

Outsourcing is clearly a long term strategy. The attraction is lower employee costs and an educated labor pool. However, there are additional factors to consider such as extended lead times, quality assurance and protection of supply that need to be managed.

Transport

In local supply chains transportation is a low percentage of overall costs compared to parts and labor. Most companies do not consider transportation a core competency and outsource it to third- or fourth-party-logistics companies. Globalization increases both inbound and outbound (move) activity so transportation costs increase as a percentage of overall costs. Some automotive companies are considering taking control of their logistics network.

Risk in the automotive supply chain

Supply chain risks have increased due to globalization initiatives. Automakers (OEMs) are passing more responsibility down the chain to lower-tier suppliers, who often have neither the experience nor the capability to perform the tasks they are being assigned. Failures in lower tier supply can be critical so support such as engineering assistance, process and financial support are often provided by the automakers.

Supplier collaboration and visibility

Customer queries such as where is my order? require automakers to have scalable, repeatable, and globally consistent processes. These are necessary to track orders, goods in-transit and inventory. A combination of a systematized approach and human intervention is necessary to be effective given the diverse time zones, languages, and cultural business environments of the global automotive industry.

Companies must maintain and preferably enhance supply chain flexibility and customer responsiveness whilst managing product complexity and cost control. Designing supply chains for automotive manufacturers requires a high level of technical skill and global experience.

The best connection is a properly done solder joint. If you aren’t sure how to solder, crimp the connection then solder it. Cold solder joints not only introduce resistance, but they can come apart.

2) Keep your grounds as short as possible. It is far better to have a few more connections than a long ground that can build heat and introduce ground loops. It is common practice to run a ground wire from a high demand devise such as a fuel pump back to the battery. This not only adds additional loads to the pump or devise but also can lead to device failure. Have you ever seen a production auto with a ground cable longer than the positive cable?

3) If at all possible, use stainless hardware to fasten all primary cables. Some galvanic or plated hardware can cause dissimilar corrosion and can sometimes carry more impedance that its stainless counter parts. On smaller secondary circuits, this is not as important.

4) Battery storage. Keep batteries away from humidity. Keeping it charged will prolong its life. If a battery is dead, cool it before you charge it. Put in the refrigerator or outside if its cold. Cool batteries charge better.

5) Batteries specifications and charge rates are for 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature variations will change charge rates.

6) Use relays. Anytime you want to switch a device that draws more current than is provided by an output of a switch or component you’ll need to use a relay. The coil of an SPDT relay that we most commonly use draws very little current (less than 200 milliamps) and the amount of current that you can pass through a relay’s common, normally closed, and normally open contacts will handle up to 30 or 40 amps. This allows you to switch devices such as headlights, parking lights, horns, etc., with low amperage outputs such as those found on keyless entry and alarm systems, and other components. In some cases you may need to switch multiple things at the same time using one output. A single output connected to multiple relays will allow you to open continuity and/or close continuity simultaneously on multiple wires.

7) Most electromechanical devises are rated according to the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures). You improve your odds of a long MTBF by keeping your electrical devices in a low humidity, low heat environment.

8) Do not ever use THHN/THWN wire. This wire (insulation) classification is not rated for automotive use. Cars move and vibrate which chafes the insulating material.

9) A wire that is rated for A/C voltage may have a different rating when used in low voltage D/C applications. Your house uses A/C, your car uses D/C.

10) The best primary power cable is a type TEW or MTW (Machine Tool Wire) as its rated for continuous use with higher amperage loads.

11) OFC (oxygen free copper) is by far the best cable for automotive use. However, it is expensive and requires a quality crimper and should be soldered for security. The most common application for this wire is high-end car stereo applications.

12) If you are like me, you may choose to skip OFC and go with TXL wire. TXL (thermal cross-linked) wire is next best. TXL wire has twice the voltage rating of standard GPT (general purpose) wire. Most high-end harnesses are made with this wire. If you want to keep your ride for the long haul, you may want to pony up for a harness made with this wire.

Four basic principles of automotive electronics knowledge of car repair computer board

Four basic principles of car electronics knowledge of car repair computer boardhttp://www.ibuonline.com/category/Car-Electronics

No schematics status to carry out maintenance on an unfamiliar board, the so-called “experience” it is cast, despite with the circuit maintenance tester increase the probability of repair circuit boards, but if improper work is still less effective. So, how to do in order to improve the efficiency of maintenance? Based on years of maintenance experience in automotive electronics company, summed up the four basic principles, as long as you are methodical step-by-step operation, there must be helpful.

http://www.ibuonline.com/category/PersonalOffice-ElectronicsPersonal / Office Electronics tools: digital (or analog) multimeter, magnifying glass

Mainly to see when holding a circuit board to be repaired, good habits first should carry visual, if necessary, with a magnifying glass to see what?

1 broken? Whether there are traces of burnt?

Discrete components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors and other disconnected phenomenon exists?

Circuit board PCB connector cable is broken adhesions?

If anyone repair? Move which components? Exists Weld, weld, plug anti operator mistakes?

Determine the repair plate above situation, first with a multimeter to measure the resistance between the power and ground of the circuit board, usually board of resistance in the 70-80, if the resistance is too small, only a few or more than a dozen ohms components breakdown or part of the breakdown, it is necessary to take measures to find out the breakdown of the components on the circuit board. The specific measures to repair plate powered hand to touch the circuit board temperature of the device, will focus on hot suspect.

If the resistance is normal, fault detection with a multimeter. Caused by circuit board failure factors in a lot measuring board resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, FETs, rotary cam switches and other discrete components, its purpose is first of all to ensure that the components measured normal maintenance The principle is to can multimeter solve the problem, not make it complicated.

This article from: This article from: Batteries & Power Supplies http://www.ibuonline.com/category/Batteries -Power-Supplies

In today’s competitive job market, employers are seeking to hire graduates that are highly specialized and well trained. You can’t afford to waste your time with an education that wont help you get the job you want. At Centennial College, all our programs are geared for success.

As part of your program, you will not only learn how to use the latest cutting edge tools, but you will also learn how to apply the latest principles from business professionals. To compliment your classroom learning, you will also get hands-on experience in the labs.

Centennial’s staff not only believe in providing students with the best teaching experience possible, but also to offer the best guidance and career advice.

Overview:

Every eight weeks, students in this Acura/ Honda Apprenticeship Program (AHAP) alternate between the College and their employer for a total of 64 weeks (32 weeks with each).

The Honda Technician Training provided is on Hondas latest technology, with an emphasis on electronics and the diagnosing of mechanical systems. All aspects of vehicle technology are embodied in the program. This program is designed to make you as immediately productive in the shop as possible.

Upon successful completion, you will complete your on-the-job experience with your Acura/ Honda employer.

Admission Requirements:

Centennial College requires students applying to Modified Apprenticeship Programs to present at minimum:

*OSSD or GED or equivalent
*Non-academic requirements as specified

Non-academic Requirements

*Applicant must be employed by a Honda Canada Inc.dealership or selected through an interview process

Notes:

*Candidates may apply directly to Centennial College. Please visit centennialcollege.ca for an application form and details. Successful applicants must obtain an employer and then register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
*Acceptance is based on successful completion of all entry requirements. Limited space is available in each program.

Get more information about Technician Honda at centennialcollege.ca

Now that “old man winter’ is gone, and summer is at our door, many of us are making exciting plans for summer road trips. It’s important that you don’t neglect taking care of any necessary maintenance or auto repairs before you hit the road! To make sure that going to an auto repair shop is not a fearful experience, make sure that you and your mechanic are speaking the same language in terms of labor, warranty, parts, and repairs.

To reduce surprises with regard to the cost and time required for an auto repair, here are four tips to help you communicate effectively with your mechanic. By knowing the correct terminology about auto repairs, you will better understand the details of your expected auto repair.

1. Don’t be afraid! Ask your mechanic to explain the auto repair simply, or in layman’s terms. Your mechanic should also ask you questions about what you expect.
2. Don’t be in a hurry! Take your time at the auto repair shop so that you are sure to get a correct diagnosis. This will help prevent many misunderstandings as to knowing exactly what needs to be done. Often, an on-the-spot, off the cuff, diagnosis may be incorrect and waste both yours and the mechanic’s valuable time.
3. Don’t forget to leave a contact number and be available! Make sure that your mechanic knows you want to be called and informed of the problem, course of action, and cost, before any actual work begins. Ask the mechanic to call you if there are any new discoveries or change in plans during the repair process.
4. Ask questions! Make sure you have an understanding of the auto repair shop policies in terms of labor rates, guarantees, warranties, and acceptable methods of payment. The more questions you ask, the more satisfied you will be with the service performed on your vehicle.

Getting ready for that long awaited for summer road trip can be exciting, especially knowing that your vehicle is ready to get your destination quickly and safely!

Need quality auto repairs? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive by calling (608) 221-8321 or go on-line at http://clausenautomotive.com for more information about auto repair services. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.