• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Your Membership
    • Edit Your Profile
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsored posts
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Cart
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Events

Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

  • News
  • Features
  • Video
  • Webinars
  • White papers
  • Press releases
  • Featured companies
    • AMD Xilinx
    • BlueBotics
    • Elite Robot
    • RGo Robotics
    • SICK Sensor Intelligence
    • Vicor Power

Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

March 12, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

The world’s leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics, automatica, will take place in Munich from June 16 to 19.

One main focus of the event will be on making automobile production more flexible.

Numerous exhibitors will present alternatives to conventional assembly line production with stationary conveyor technology, for example driverless transport systems and, of course, cobots for human-robot collaboration applications.

The automobile industry is undergoing substantial changes. The discussion about drive technology of the future is in full swing. Some manufacturers are betting on electromobility, while others are more likely to use it as a transition technology.

At the same time, combustion vehicles seem more durable at least at the moment than previously assumed.

Audi manufactures the R8 super sports car in Neckarsulm on driverless transport systems. Picture: Audi

In addition, new generations of diesel engines with highly effective filter technology have significantly lower emissions than their predecessors. Other future drive alternatives are synthetic fuels, hydrogen and fuel cells.

How does this scenario affect highly automated automotive production? What does this mean for robotics and automation technology providers? In other words, what does automobile production of the future look like?

The diversity of drive technologies and the resulting uncertainty make it difficult for car manufacturers to answer these questions.

But one thing is certain: without highly flexible, digitally networked automation solutions, the challenges of the future cannot be mastered.

Sustainable, Industry 4.0-compatible solutions are in demand that support vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and system suppliers around the world in the implementation of state-of-the-art manufacturing structures.

Elimination of stationary conveyor technology

automatica, the leading trade fair for automation technology, shows technologies suitable for this purpose. Many of these solutions have the elimination of stationary conveyor technology in common.

This means a real paradigm shift, because the assembly line has dominated automotive manufacturing for more than a hundred years.

Today, car manufacturers and factory planners are looking for alternatives to this highly efficient but also inflexible technology.

The first steps were already taken years ago in bodyshell construction. The robots used there not only weld, rivet and bond, but they also hold and transport the bodyshells while their machine “colleagues” process them.

One of the positive side effects: When changing models, you do not have to scrap the entire production lines, but only reprogram the robots.

Collaborative robots assist workers at Opel in Eisenach. Picture: Universal Robotics

New era not only in automotive production

This principle can now also be applied to final assembly. Porsche is demonstrating this with its new Taycan production facility in Zuffenhausen.

According to Albrecht Reimold, head of production at the company, the assembly line has been virtually abolished there. Instead, the vehicles move through production on driverless transport systems, also called autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), and consequently are completed step by step.

This increases flexibility considerably. The speed of the AGVs is just as variable as the time they spend at the assembly stations; in theory, the vehicles do not all have to take the same route through production. In addition, several models or derivatives can be produced without problems on one and the same line.

The complete spectrum of flexible automation

This shows that flexibility is the trump card – and this is not only true for automotive production.

Markus Uellendahl, senior partner of management consulting at Porsche Consulting, says: “We will also see a departure from traditional automated production lines in other industrial sectors.

“In the Smart Factory of the near future, flexible transport systems such as AGVs will make it easier to adapt production and logistics processes.

“In the most consistent form of implementation, the products that are manufactured automatically control the assembly stations that are currently available on autonomous transport systems. Algorithms and artificial intelligence support planning and make decision-making more efficient.”

According to Uellendahl, the increased convertibility of the smart factory further reduces subsequent investments.

Companies that strategically pursue this goal can actively leverage changes in products and processes to gain a competitive advantage as well as adapt faster to changing market requirements and general conditions.

At automatica, numerous providers will show how smart, digitally networked production can be implemented.

In addition to robots, industrial machine vision systems, grippers and positioning units, sensors and electronic controls also play a central role in this context.

The trade fair provides a unique opportunity to examine all these product groups in a targeted manner.

Cobots place workers on the center stage

In addition, a further development can be seen at automatica: Modern automation concepts do not do without workers, but instead place them on center stage.

Exoskeletons and cobots will physically relieve burdens of employees. The biggest development leap is to be expected in the area of cobots. Established robot manufacturers already presented groundbreaking solutions at automatica 2018 and lots more further developments will be shown in 2020.

For example, the Japanese robot manufacturer Fanuc will present a completely newly developed cobot in Munich.

Future-oriented HRC solutions can also be expected from Universal Robots, Kuka, Yaskawa, ABB, Stäubli and many other exhibitors.

Visitors can also be particularly look forward to the various new exhibitors such as Han’s Robot, Hanwha Precision Machinery, Techman Robot, Convertible Robots and Yuanda Robotics.

Collaborative robots have long since become customary in actual practice, such as at Opel in Eisenach: A cobot from the Danish manufacturer Universal Robots screws air-conditioning compressors to engine blocks there.

Immediately next to the employees, without a separating safety fence, the robot tightens three screws every two minutes to exactly 22 Newton meters while its human colleagues continue to carry out the less stressful upstream and downstream work.

Another example: Together with BMW in Dingolfing, Kuka has created robot solution facilitating work for employees who lift bevel gears weighing up to 5.5 kg and fit them into front axle transmissions with millimeter accuracy.

They used to do this manually, but today the sensitive robot colleague LBR iiwa assists them. It is suspended on a slender steel construction and manages without external sensors, because a joint torque sensor system is active in its seven axes.

Christoph Hock, head of human-robot collaboration at Kuka Systems, says: “We will see significantly more such applications in the automotive industry in the future.

“In times of increasing number of variants, it is a clear competitive advantage to be able to adapt production optimally to required capacity utilization, for example with the help of flexible HRC units.”

automatica will provide a thorough overview in June of how the new flexibility can be implemented in a practical way – not only in automotive production.

Main picture: The principle of flexible automobile production without an assembly line can also be applied to other industrial sectors. Picture: Porsche Consulting

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • Pocket

You might also like…

Filed Under: Features, Manufacturing Tagged With: assembly, automatica, automation, automobile, automotive, flexible, future, manufacturers, production, robot, robots, solutions, systems, technology, transport

Join the Robotics & Automation News community

Reader Interactions

You must log in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest articles

  • Scythe Robotics secures $42 million new financing to accelerate production of zero-emissions autonomous mower
  • Mining robotics company Nabors acquires digital twin developer MindMesh
  • Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in on-demand manufacturing startup Machina Labs
  • Unlocking the Benefits of Static Residential Proxies for the AI revolution
  • 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Five challenges for warehouse management, according to AutoStore
  • Mercedes-Benz becomes ‘world’s first’ automotive company to certify SAE Level 3 system for US market
  • Universal Robots reports record annual revenue of $326 million
  • Berkshire Grey and Locus Robotics combine to offer ‘industry-first’ cross-platform robotic automation
  • Fox Guest Posting: The Best Service Providers for Your Blogging Needs
  • 16+ Best Business Card Templates for Google Docs (Word) & Slides

Most Read

  • Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
    Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
  • Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
    Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
  • Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
    Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
  • Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
    Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
  • The Best Mechanical Engineering Design Software in 2022
    The Best Mechanical Engineering Design Software in 2022
  • Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
    Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
  • How to Know if Your iPhone is Being Tracked? Check This!
    How to Know if Your iPhone is Being Tracked? Check This!
  • What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
    What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
  • 5 Top Jobs Where Robots Could Replace Humans?
    5 Top Jobs Where Robots Could Replace Humans?
  • Track your lost Android
    Track your lost Android

Overused words

ai applications automated automation automotive autonomous business china companies company control customers data design development digital electric global industrial industry logistics machine manufacturing market mobile operations platform process production robot robotic robotics robots safety software solution solutions system systems technologies technology time vehicle vehicles warehouse

Secondary Sidebar

Latest news

  • Scythe Robotics secures $42 million new financing to accelerate production of zero-emissions autonomous mower
  • Mining robotics company Nabors acquires digital twin developer MindMesh
  • Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in on-demand manufacturing startup Machina Labs
  • Unlocking the Benefits of Static Residential Proxies for the AI revolution
  • 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Five challenges for warehouse management, according to AutoStore
  • Mercedes-Benz becomes ‘world’s first’ automotive company to certify SAE Level 3 system for US market
  • Universal Robots reports record annual revenue of $326 million
  • Berkshire Grey and Locus Robotics combine to offer ‘industry-first’ cross-platform robotic automation
  • Fox Guest Posting: The Best Service Providers for Your Blogging Needs
  • 16+ Best Business Card Templates for Google Docs (Word) & Slides

Footer

We are…

Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.

Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.

Thank you.

Independent

Archivists

March 2020
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Feb   Apr »

Complex

Old-skool

This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.

We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.

Future-facing

Free, fair and legal

We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.

Member of The Internet Defense League

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT