Optimal manufacturing process with modular assembly cell concept
Flexibility and a wide range of expansion options for production
When it comes to building an assembly line, questions and challenges arise right at the beginning: What level of automation is required? What is the expected annual volume? Moving ahead with an automated assembly line is a risky decision.
The advantages of a modular design
Thanks to a modular design, the investment risk remains low - the degree of automation can be gradually adapted in tandem with the increase in production volume.
HARTING Applied Technologies orients its planning of new projects for the best case scenario: New products are classified as "high runners" and the fully automated assembly line is defined as the final goal. This assumes the use of a loosely linked workpiece carrier system.
Example: An assembly line with 10 necessary processes, where one assembly cell is required per process, requires 10 assembly cells. The customer has the choice of which constellation to use - single, double or quintuple cells - in order to complete the 10 processes. When making your choice, it is important to consider whether other processes might be added in the future. If so, then they can be easily inserted between the cells.
If, for example, the end customer requires an additional test unit later on, another cell can be added in the middle of the process at the required point. Similarly, restrictions on internal transport routes, e.g. lifts, can also influence the choice of cell size.
Automating processes step-by-step
Sensible process automations at the start of a project include screwdriving, welding or testing processes. This means that initially 3 out of 10 processes can be automated with the remaining 7 processes being carried out manually. As the volume increases, the customer can decide on how many and which processes are be converted next from a manual to an automated process.
Thanks to the modular design, HARTING AT can easily address the space conditions in the customer's hall. The design can be linear, L-shaped, Z-shaped or U-shaped.
With all variants, customers can decide whether the operating and feed sides are on one side. If, for example, a shortening of the line is necessary for space reasons, the feed units can be placed on both sides.
Use of rotary indexing tables
In addition to linear assembly lines in various designs, HARTING AT also implements projects in which the use of rotary indexing tables provides the more economical solution.
The cell concept using the different modules described above can also be used to achieve this. The added special feature: square and octagonal cells can also be used. This ensures the operator has good accessibility to the individual stations, while at the same time optimising the space required in the production hall. The octagonal cells can be scaled to the product and consequently also to the table size, thereby insuring that the above-mentioned advantages are applied throughout.
Would you like to learn more?
HARTING Applied Technologies offers the optimal manufacturing process
Optimal manufacturing process - Customers are demanding the production of individualised products in small quantities. In addition, rising costs are pushing them towards automation. The manufacturing components must be so adaptable that is is possible to produce even the smallest quantities. Our modular assembly cell concept provides many options for creating the optimum production process. Let Friedrich Gärtner, sales engineer for special purpose machine manufacture at HARTING Applied Technologies, explain how modular cells help us to meet individual requirements.
