The new production techniques have made many brands that have decided to innovate and have incorporated the latest generation of technology to offer a unique experience during their assembly and logistics. This is the case of Audi, which have focused on incorporating a modular system, which does not need conveyor belt or fixed aras, simplifying management and multiple points.
At present, the limits of this system are being reached. The large number of versions and the numerous customization possibilities mean that there are more and more configurations possible, which requires increasingly variable mounting systems. All this saves time and better manages the available resources.
With an increase in product complexity and demand, in audi remain faithful to its essence and philosophy of environmental protection. Therefore, they have incorporated a system that is based on thematic areas, being specific to launch each piece and thus not depend on other areas that may have a slower time period.
Instead of a rigid conveyor belt, dynamic procedures are shifted to a variable sequence of stations and processing times that depend on the different variants to be produced (virtual conveyor belt). This system has an important social value and that is that anyone, whether they have physical limitations or not, can work on it.
In the testing phase, tasks no longer follow a uniform sequence; instead, are structured to meet specific needs. Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) move the door panels directly to the station where the components are to be mounted. For example, lighting assemblies are installed with wiring and other elements in a station; jobs that don’t need these sets skip that season.
At another station, a worker installs the curtains available for the rear doors as an option. Due to its predefined pace, on the conveyor belt this task would have to be divided between two or three workers, which is inefficient and can jeopardize product quality. If jobs pile up, AGVs drive the product to the next necessary station with the shortest possible waiting time. In addition, workspace settings are checked and adjusted regularly.
