Electric overhead monorail for cockpit assembly at VW in Hannover

In 2018, AFT Schopfheim was commissioned to extend the electric overhead monorail system in cockpit assembly,

to equip it with two scissors lifts and two lift tables and to supply 65 new drives for accommodation of the load carriers. A challenge in the conversion was the complete replacement of the electrical control, without disturbing the production – which was successfully accomplished. The entire conversion was completed on time and to the great satisfaction of the customer.
In the VW commercial vehicles plant in Hanover, the so called “Bulli” transporter is produced. The converted cockpit system transports the cockpits from production through an adhesive system to the installation site. Here, the cockpit of the VW transporter is installed with the help of a handling device by the worker. AFT is currently preparing the system for the fully automatic installation of the cockpit by the handling device.
In September, AFT Schopfheim received the order to extend the electric monorail in the cockpit assembly and connect it to another cockpit assembly line.

Conversion of Electric overhead monorails (EMS) and floor conveyors in the final assembly of the Volkswagen Zwickau plant

Following the contract for the body shop last year, AFT received the order for the conversion and adaptation of the conveyor technology in the final assembly.

As part of the transformation of the Zwickau plant into the competence center for electromobility of Volkswagen, existing conveyor technology must be adapted and expanded. Thus, various conveyors, including heavy load conveyors, need to be adapted and converted. Even existing AFT systems must be prepared for the changing requirements of electromobility. As it was already the case with the body shop contract, AFT Schopfheim was commissioned with the adaptation and new delivery of various electric overhead monorail systems. AFT Bautzen, the specialist for floor conveyor technology in the AFT-Group, will be responsible for the modification of converters and push-skid technology. Two new skid conveyor systems are also needed for the delivery of the battery and for wheel installation. In addition, belt conveyor technology in the finish must be adapted to the new vehicle types. In the autumn 2020, these plants will go into operation. According to VW’s plan, only electric cars will be manufactured in Zwickau at the end of 2020.
“We are pleased to continue to take our part in Volkswagen’s electromobility offensive,” said Heiko Hofmann, CEO of the AFT Group.

Construction completion and first ID. Offline ceremony of SAIC VOLKSWAGEN MEB Plant

BDC (body distribution center) ASRS system

The SAIC Volkswagen MEB plant is the first in the world to be newly built for the MEB platform model.

It is the most efficient and purest electric vehicle factory in China. AFT implemented the BDC (body distribution center) ASRS system, which achieves an excellent and efficient sorting painted body storage function from paint shop to the final assembly shop.