AUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLY PROCESSES John L. Evans, Ph.D. AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN • • • • • • • • • SHEET METAL POWERTRAIN (ENGINE & TRANSMISSION) INTERIOR (SEATS, DASH, CARPET) ELECTRONICS LIGHTING TIRES & BRAKE SYSTEMS COOLANT SYSTEM CHASSIS GLASS REGIONAL AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIERS AUTOMOTIVE FACILITIES • • • • • • • 200,000 to 700,000 + units per year $1 - $3 Billion Investment 10 – 20 Miles of Conveyors 250+ Robots (Welding, Painting, Sealing) $10 Million per day – Incoming Materials 250+ Acres Site Requirements $500,000 - $1,000,000 per month Utilities MATERIALS FLOW • Process Must Match – – – – – Powertrain (Engine, Transmission) Seats Exterior Styling (Grill, Trim, Color) Features (Audio, Computer, RKE) Glass • JIT Delivery System • Material AS/RS • Quality Inspection http://www.workhorsecc.com/tours/virtual.asp ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL • • • • • • • PAINTS VEHICLE WASH COOLANTS SEALANTS GASOLINE & OIL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS EXHAUST ENGINE ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY AUTOMATION INTERIOR ASSEMBLY FEED TIRE ASSEMBLY FEED CAR ASSEMBLY ROUTE AUTOMATIC WELDING ASSEMBLY TRACKING VEHICLE TRACKING • • • • • • JIT System for Parts Delivery Material Flow Must be in Order Part Availability Must be Checked Early in Process Vehicle Process Problems Must Consider Materials Flow System Quality Must be Monitored Throughout Operation Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. - Home of the MClass
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