text:
Volvo investing $1.1 billion in Gothenburg site to support huge electrification push
By Jason Dunn2022-02-08T14:06:00+00:00
In the coming years, Volvo Cars will be investing SEK 10 billion ($1.1 billion) into its manufacturing plant in the Torslanda province of Gothenburg, Sweden, as preparation for the production of the next generation of fully electric cars.
Volvo megacasting
Casting parts of the car's floor structure as one single aluminium part reduces weight and improves the energy efficiency of the manufacturing process.
As part of the planned investments, the company will introduce several new and more sustainable technologies and manufacturing processes in the plant. These include the introduction of megacasting of aluminium body parts, a new battery assembly plant and fully refurbished paint and final assembly shops.
This follows a recent announcement by Volvo Cars and Northvolt, the leading battery cell company, to invest SEK 30 billion in the development and manufacturing of batteries for the next generation of pure electric Volvo models.
Both investment plans represent new steps towards Volvo Cars' ambition to be a fully electric car company by 2030 as well as localised production in the company's hometown.
"Torslanda is our largest plant and will play a crucial role in our ongoing transformation as we move towards becoming a pure electric car maker by 2030," said Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo chief executive.
The introduction of megacasting of aluminium body parts for the next generation of electric Volvo models is the most significant change introduced in the investment package, the company noted.
Megacasting is the process of producing a single large aluminium body instead of welding together many smaller parts. It's a process that is still relatively uncommon in automotive manufacturing but allows for a number of benefits in terms of sustainability, cost and car performance during the vehicle lifetime.
Casting major parts of the car's floor structure as one single aluminium part reduces weight, improving the energy efficiency and thereby the car's electric range. Volvo designers can then optimally use the available space inside the cabin and luggage area, boosting the overall versatility of the model.
Megacasting also reduces the complexity of the manufacturing process. In turn, this creates cost savings in terms of material use and logistics, reducing the overall environmental footprint across the manufacturing and supply chain networks.
Ambitious restructuring
These investment plans all constitute essential aspects of a broader electrification strategy for Volvo.
"We will introduce a new electric vehicle platform around 2025, and for this, we will use an aluminium casting for the rear floor section of the vehicle," explains Mikael Fermér, solution architect for vehicle platforms at Volvo Cars, in an interview with AMS.
Northvolt and Volvo
The new JV between Northvolt and Volvo is seen as an essential part of the electrification agenda.
Fermér, who has spent around 25 years at Volvo and Geely, mostly in body structure engineering, said it makes sense to "focus the development and use of the megacast parts in this part of the body since it is a 'busy' area of the vehicle in terms of seating, suspension, powertrain configurations."
In addition, as the company moves away from steel to cast aluminium, there are reductions in CO2 emissions in sourcing the material. For example, Volvo expects the megacast parts to be 15-20% lighter than a steel floor.
The investments in Torslanda and the new megacasting process are huge endeavours. But Volvo sees this as a necessary step to securing future EV development and production. While the cost is high, Fermér described it as a "long lifetime" investment – and one that will further support many new lifecycles of electric vehicles.
The installation of new machinery and implementing new processes will also be required with an updated paintshop, which will support the ongoing reduction of paint shop energy consumption and emissions.
A new battery assembly plant will integrate battery cells and modules in the car's floor structure, as the assembly shop is being refurbished to accommodate next-generation fully electric cars.
The Torslanda plant, which has an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars and is one of Volvo Cars' longest-operating manufacturing facilities, will also refurbish its logistics operations. The company will also invest in facilities surrounding the plant, such as break areas, locker rooms and offices, to improve the working environment.
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The company adopts a cloud-based robotic manufacturing approach for its planned network of Integration Centres


Back history button with swipe feature.
Interests:Bible study, nature, music, etc.
I'd like to request a back button to take you back to the place you were just before you clicked on a margin note, etc.
Each click of the back button would take you one step further back in your history.
And, if it could be done with a swipe motion, like in Safari, all the better.
Swiping left and right to go forward and backward through your history would be great.
two finger swipe works for me (left to the right). Is it not working for you?
No, I can't swipe back and forth to go back in my history.
If that feature is available I would be glad for some education on how to use it.
I'm using version 10.3.2 on a MacBook Pro.
Philip: what device are you using and version of Accordance? Mac, PC, iOS?
The Mac version is the one I was writing about.
Yes, swiping gestures are implemented on the iOS but not on the Mac. There you have both a History menu and a Prior button. I think we would need to let you customize the gestures on Mac or PC, and we have so many other priority items on the list!
Some of our users use "bettertouchtool" to customise gestures. Julie Falling and a few others have descriptions of what they can doing with BTT and the Mac OS version. I apologise, I thought you were speaking about the iOS version.


Tyler Baltierra and his wife, Catelynn Lowell, have shared some emotional moments on Teen Mom OG, including Catelynn's struggle with postpartum depression. She has revealed that she's scared of going through that again, especially since they are thinking about having another baby. Behind the scenes, Lowell revealed that she was struggling with some childhood issues and had even had suicidal thoughts. One can imagine this was heartbreaking to Tyler, who has been with his wife since they were teenagers. Now, Tyler is celebrating the fact that Catelynn has gotten treatment for her issues.
According to a new tweet, Tyler Baltierra has revealed that he's very thankful for the fact that his wife did not take her own life before heading to treatment. He also celebrated the fact that she's due home in just a few days, something he has looked forward to for a while. Catelynn checked into treatment last year and returned home after a short while. But after Christmas, she revealed that she wasn't ready to be home and left for treatment once again. Tyler also got treatment, as he completed a family-related program to be ready for his wife's return home. One can imagine she's excited to be going home, as she's been away from her husband and daughter for almost two months.
"As hard as it is to watch this…I'm just so proud of my wife for being strong enough to not give up on her life. She comes home in 5 days & I can't wait to hold her in my arms again & just show her without words, what safety, security, & unconditional love feels like," Tyler Baltierra revealed on Twitter, sharing his excitement about his wife coming home to him.
Before she went to treatment, Catelynn revealed that she was pregnant with the couple's third child. Her first-born daughter was given up for adoption, while they chose to keep their second daughter. However, as fans will see on Teen Mom OG, Catelynn learned she had miscarried the baby shortly after learning about the pregnancy. They had decided to get pregnant, as Catelynn felt she had full control of her issues. It's possible that they will pursue another baby shortly, but one can imagine that Tyler wants to take his time and make sure that his wife is able to handle another pregnancy and possibly even another round of postpartum depression.
Tyler Baltierra is currently on hiatus from Teen Mom OG, but it sounds like the camera crew could return to Michigan once Catelynn returns from her tweeted in just five days.


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Photograph of the left half of the west façade and roof of the mandapa of the Surya Temple or Black Pagoda in Konark from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by William Henry Cornish in c. 1890. The Surya Temple at Konarak was constructed by king Narasimha of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in 1240 circa. This colossal temple complex was too heavy for the friable soil on which it was built and the 70 metres shikhara covering the sanctum collapsed in 1837 as well as the roof of the dance pavilion. Only the jagamohana survived with its large pyramidal roof rising in three tiers decorated with sculptures of musicians, dancers and maidens. This view shows its façade and part of the roof. The temple is conceived as a colossal processional chariot of the Sun with 12 pairs of carved wheels, drawn by 7 rearing horses.


AKA and Cassper: Besties before the beef?
Johannesburg - DJ Sbu has added his voice to the chorus of celebs offering support to Cassper's ambitious #FillUpTheDome show at the end of the month - and it's got nothing to do with his hip hop allegiances.
Sbu is a hip hop fan (just watch this video of him rapping along to some hip hop beats in the car here) but more than that he is an entrepreneur with an appreciation for big ideas! So, naturally he's excited about Cassper's #FillUpTheDome idea.
He took to Instagram recently to tell his fans that Cassper's project is not about taking sides in the beef between Cassper and AKA, but rather supporting local music.
"It is not whether you like AKA or dislike Cassper Nyovest," Sbu wrote. "Both have elevated the game to the next level & deserve to be supported 100% fully. I'm a fan of both & I salute them for thinking big. They have made HIP HOP exciting again with their competitive lyrical prowess & winners attitude."
Talking about Cassper's historic concert at the end of the month, Sbu wrote: "This is bigger than one genre of music. It's for every SA Entertainer to know that the time has come and we are capable of filling up these venues without the help of international acts.
31st October we'll be doing it for SA Entertainment when we #fillupthedome #HistoryInTheMaking.
Keep us a spot near the front, Sbu!


Forecast not good for today but in the end only some wind to contest with. Some sunshine now and again to shine on the 57 East Alliance members who headed to the par 71 (35-36) Craigielaw course in East Lothian.
Top Scratch and Handicap was the same number on the day, both being 65, with the scratch 65 coming from Lloyd Saltman (Renaissance Club) and the net 65 via Mark Davies (Newbattle) with a very credible gross 70 less 5.
Well done both on a testing, windy day.
Next week we stay in East Lothian for a visit to Winterfield where the T C Jordan Trophy will be contested.


Music for the cockpit is very important to us. We may want to dance there.
We filled in the old speaker hole on this, the port side as well as the starboard.
The Starboard side recieves the same treatment.
The speaker housing is now ready for Poly-Planer. The angle should insure everyone in the cockpit can hear the music clearly.
The pair of Poly-Planar 200 watt waterproof speakers have been mounted. This certainly helps the cockpit scene. They will have separate amp and volume controls which will be located at the cockpit control station.
Starboard side speaker. Both speakers are directed toward the cockpit. The sound is great and is complimented by the sub-woofer on the bridge and in the salon.
The waterproof PolyPlaner volume control blends in so well that it is hard to see in this photo, but it is here and working fine.


The importance of mission statements struck me when I was still a coach and teacher, because I worked at five different high schools in my career.
The principals had different personalities.
The students came from different backgrounds.
But there was ONE thing that was oddly similar at every school – and I'm guessing that it is the same wherever you currently work.
Every school I worked at had a mission statement posted in the main office and also around the building on hallway walls.
In fact, I would argue that in a school of 140 faculty members, there were probably 140 very different mission statements – none of them that truly matched the ones that were posted in the hallways.
And each one meant well.
But they were not connected to a compelling COMMON GOAL.
And communicating that shared goal is the job of a leader.
At every meeting, are you repeating your organization's compelling common goal?
Let me ask you this: if you were to ask ten people at YOUR company what their mission is, how many different responses would you get?
The answer might convict you.
To ensure that your people begin to understand and adopt a compelling common goal, YOU must take responsibility for sharing it and repeating it and making it personal to them.
– Add it to your email signature.
– Take a phone video of people talking about what it means to them, and share the video.
– Tell stories in conversations that illustrate WHY it is important.
– Describe to people how THEIR efforts contribute to making the mission a reality.
Ultimately, your success as a leader comes down to creating unity on your team – you want to get everyone rowing enthusiastically in the same direction.
That kind of UNITY is Created by Connections.
And you have to connect people to a compelling common goal.
But more likely than not, you may have some of your staff splintered off and working on a mission that isn't quite the same as the rest of the team's.
Successful leaders know that all failure is the result of vagueness.
Clarify your team's mission. Repeat it and make sure it is at the core of why people show up each day to be part of something larger and more significant than themselves.
Praise people when they do things that contribute to that cause.
If they don't know WHY they are there, they won't do much WHILE they are there!
When you begin to emphasize the goal that all should be serving, some people may leave… and that is okay.
Because when YOU are clear about why you are there together, your people will accomplish an great deal more, and will take more pride in the results!
Even more importantly, they communicate it often to ensure the clarity and focus of everyone involved in making it happen!


Nocrescon II was a convention held May 27-30, 1977. It was originally announced to be at the Holiday Inn on Barrow's Island in LaCrosse, WI, but was moved to the Leamington Hotel in Minneapolis at some point. The GoHs were Tom Reamy and Martha Beck. A roast of Mike Glicksohn was scheduled.


* Wikipedia's list of common misconceptions.
* It's good to live in a country without nobility or hereditary office.
* Are you a film addict? I am 55.2% yes.
* John Updike considers Mars.
* Matt, Josh, and Ezra consider the fillibuster and the extent to which we should just dump the damn thing.
* Coleman has gone to the Minnesota Supreme Court (a majority of whom have apparently been appointed by Tim Pawlenty) to ask that improperly rejected absentee ballots not be counted in the recount. I've looked, but I haven't actually found any sort of legitimate reason why he thinks ballots that were improperly rejected should stay improperly rejected, other than "I might win that way." Some commentary at TPM.
* Scientists have found the first unequivocal evidence that the Arctic region is warming at a faster rate than the rest of the world at least a decade before it was predicted to happen. We're so very screwed.
What's Your Virtual Life Expectancy?
What's your virtual life expectancy? I took the test twice, and depending on the brutal honesty of my answers I can apparently expect to live between 95 and 99 years, just like Great-Grandpa Canavan. Sweet.
UPDATE: I got a second opinion: 98. Peak Oil and global warming just got a lot more pressing.
It's really no surprise who I get nearly every time I take an online Muppet personality test.
Some people were just born to criticize.


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Maria Veazey, left with her sister, Marisela Gomez and long time employee Patty Ortiz, who has worked at Maria's Fashions for the last 20 years, holding clothing samples of the store remaining inventory Thursday, July 13, 2017. Maria's Fashions, a clothing boutique in Alhambra known for its jeans, is closing this Saturday July 15, 2017 after 45 years.
ALHAMBRA >> Even nine years after her death, people still ask for Maria Luisa Gomez of the eponymous Maria's Fashion on Valley Boulevard.
Gomez became well known locally after she opened her boutique in 1972 and remained a fixture there until her death in 2008.
For the past 15 years, two of Gomez's daughters, Marisela Gomez and Maria Veazey, have carried on their mother's legacy. But with waning customer interest and changes in the designer jeans industry, the two are closing the boutique after 45 years in Alhambra.
Maria's Fashion technically began in the early 1970s when Maria Gomez sold clothing she purchased in downtown Los Angeles' Fashion District out of the garage of the family home in Alhambra, two blocks away from the current store location at 134 East Valley Boulevard. A neighbor reported the commercial activity, which forced the mother of eight children to find a storefront.
She found one not far on Monterey Street just off of Valley, and two years later when the current location became available on Valley, she moved the business there for good, said Veazey, 51.
Despite working in the boutique seven days a week, Maria Gomez always made sure the children left for school with breakfast in their stomachs, a packed lunch and dinner on the table the Fashion District to acquire new stock, Veazey said.
Once the two sisters were teenagers, they began working in the store for a few hours in the evenings. They didn't mind, Veazey said, especially because they were generally the best dressed girls at school.
While the business had always been successful, having predated larger clothiers in the city like Marshalls and Mervyn's, it hit its peak in the early 2000s when demand for designer jeans skyrocketed, Veazy said.
By then Marisela Gomez and Veazey had taken over primary operation of the boutique, though their mother remained a fixture there.
In total, six of Maria Gomez's eight children went into the clothing industry in some way or another.
When Maria Gomez died in 2008, the Alhambra City Council called for a moment of silence at one of its meetings in her honor and later presented the two daughters with a certificate from the council commending them for the business' decades of success.
Closing the store will be sad for the entire family, Veazey said, because it is a physical representation of their mother, but they remain confident that even she would say it's time to close up shop given the decline in business over the past six years.
The original letter the sisters sent to their customers via email said the store would close in late July, but Maria's Fashion's last day is actually Saturday. The store will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Once that letter went out, customers flocked to the store and bought up most of their remaining stock. By the end of July, they might not even have anything left to sell, Veazey said.
The letter focused more on family than fashion.


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Iran 'true power in Persian Gulf, in best position to protect region'
Thursday, 22 August 2019 7:03 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 22 August 2019 10:23 AM ]
The file photo shows members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) driving speedboats at the port of Bandar Abbas, Iran. (By AFP)
A former American intelligence linguist says Iran has proved to be the "true power" in the Persian Gulf and is thus in the "best position" to ensure security in the strategic region.
In an interview with Press TV on Wednesday, Scott Rickard said the US fueled tensions in the region by sending striking forces into the Persian Gulf, while Iran "has shown incredible restraint" in the face of Washington's provocations.
He said "Iran has really shown itself to be the true power in the Persian Gulf and showed the best diplomacy" despite enduring "tremendous amounts of threat by the United States' armada."
"Obviously, and it is in the best position to provide security in the Persian Gulf as well as through the Strait of Hormuz," Rickard said.
He also touched on Washington's failure to encourage the European countries to join a naval mission it is planning to build with the purported aim of protecting shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.
PressTV-Allies snub US on Persian Gulf military 'mission': Reports
The US request to build a "coalition" against Iran in the Persian Gulf has been met with either silence or rejection, including a blunt "no" from Germany, the New York Times reports.
Washington has accused Iran of having a role in a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman, a claim Tehran has strongly rejected. Tehran has warned that such sabotage operations may be part of a general ploy to target Iran amid increasing regional tensions.
"Most of the European nations have basically refused to participate with the Americans in their aggressive nature in the [Persian] Gulf," Rickard said. The United Kingdom, Bahrain and now Australia are the only three that have agreed."
The American analyst also warned of the dangers of the Israeli regime's potential participation in the US-led mission.
"Unfortunately, I should say, the Israelis have a submarine force that they purchased from the Germans. This can be widely dangerous given the fact that the Israelis, in their history, have been extremely behind false flags and actually creating scenarios to foment war," he said.
Tel Aviv, he said, could carry out such false flag operation either covertly or in cooperation with the United States.
Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz has reportedly supported the US's plan and said the regime was determined to stop "Iranian entrenchment" in the Middle East region and strengthen Tel Aviv's relationship with the Persian Gulf countries.
Rickard further criticized the US policy of selling arms to the Middle Eastern countries, which Iran blames for turning the Persian Gulf region into a "tinderbox."
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'Iran paying UN membership dues despite US sanctions'
Spokesman: Iran's judiciary to decide fate of S. Korean ship
Iran warns US against 'miscalculation' in Persian Gulf
'Foreign military presence makes Persian Gulf insecure'
China role in US anti-Iran mission 'wishful thinking': Paper
Iran to enemies: Leave Persian Gulf or face humiliating exit
Rouhani scoffs at prospect of Israel role in Persian Gulf

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl