VW-Manufactory Dresden, Germany – AFT Bautzen retrofits push cup assembly line

Planning and assembly of the works presented a special challenge at “Gläserne Manufaktur” in Dresden, Germany.

For the production of the new e-Golf several conversions in the VW plant “Gläserne Manufaktur” in Dresden, Germany were necessary.

At the beginning of January first pre-production models will be produced, in April the first customer vehicles will be finished. After the conversion, which costs according VW about 20 millions €, it will be possible to produce different models because of the flexible assembly lines.

AFT is significantly involved in these conversions. The oval circulating production lines covered with wooden parquet, where the luxury limousine Phaeton was assembled, are retrofitted by AFT Bautzen. For this purpose, underneath the assembly line a new rail system is installed, a corresponding new roller concept is used and the entire system is modernized in many other areas and thus fits the new requirements.

New order from Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfelde, Germany

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz has planned to automate the transportation of components of carcass at the commercial vehicle plant in Ludwigsfelde, Germany.

An EMS-System will buffer the prefabricated body parts and transport them precisely to the welding lines. AFT Schopfheim will be responsible for delivery and installation of this EMS-System as general contractor.

VW Sachsen placed an order for several structural alternation works

In order to integrate a new car type at the plant in Zwickau, Germany, VW ordered the needed modifications of the skid conveyors used in the paint shop from AFT Bautzen.

After approx. three weeks the structural alternation works were completed successfully. AFT Bautzen delivered conveying systems for body shop, paint shop and assembling at the plant in Zwickau several times.

Large scale order from VW

VW contracts AFT in order to deliver numerous new production lines and upgrading several, already exisiting, installations in their Bratislava plant, Slovakia.

Three more line installations will be delivered and an already exisiting light EMS-system will be upgraded in order to transport chassis side parts. One light EMS system type 200-2 and two more inverted EMS (running on floor) are implemented for the transportation of body parts and logitudinal supports.

Another order from VW Saxony

VW is planning to modernize their, Zwickau based, JIT production of wheels, seats and cockpits.

They accepted AFT´s submission comprising dismantling of the exisiting machinery, delivering new replacements for the JIT production lines and the extension of an EMS system. The delivery scope includes several vertical lift conveyors as well as roller-, chain- and belt-conveyors connecting to the EMS-system.

AWT system extension

AFT provides the mechanical components for the AWT system extension at the New Surgery of the University Hospital Heidelberg.

With Siemens as general contractor, AFT Schopfheim is responsible for delivering and installing the AWT system extension (approx. 800 m rails). The delivery scope comprises various single and double (rail) switches, an empty vehicle storage area, a container storage area (12 places) directly preceded by a transversal shuttle, plus a large number of floor conveyors. This expansion completes the so called “Ring Closure”, creating a shortcut between the Women’s Clinic and the Medical Clinic.

Order from BMW Leipzig, Germany

AFT recently received the order for the extension of the vehicle final assembly at the BMW Leipzig plant.

The order includes the expansion of the EMS-driving course in connection with the redelivery of EMS heavy duty vehicles. Additionally, maintenance and extension of two plastic modular belt conveyors were ordered, which are directly related to the capacity expansion. The delivery of these conveyors is handled by AFT Bautzen within an intercompany project.

New order from BMW Regensburg, Germany

BMW is expanding capacities at their production plant in Regensburg, Germany.

Therefore AFT will extend the floor conveying system for seats in the final assembly line. Additionally, a two-story truck loading deck with chain conveyors will be delivered. Furthermore, the roller conveyor storage, where seat-sets are going to be sorted and transported to the line in the right assembly sequence, will be expanded. In scope of delivery of this order is also the retrofit of the drive and control technology of the existing production facility.

Maintenance contract from M-Back GmbH & Panem Backstube GmbH

After successful completion of an automated deep-freeze storage at Panem Backstube GmbH in Bleicherode (Germany), AFT negotiated a maintenance contract (including 24/7 on-call service).

Additionally M-Back GmbH made a service arrangement with AFT. Both companies are producers of bread and bakery products. AFT delivered the conveying technique for both companies in order to automate their deep-freeze storages.

AGVi-vehicles for BMW Berlin

AGVi-vehicle

BMW plant Berlin (motorcycle division) reordered three more AGVi-vehicles for their packaging line.

In 1997 the packaging line was installed the conventional way with energy transfer via copper bus bar. Later, in 2002, the whole line has been altered into an AGVi line with inductive energy transfer. The vehicles are needed for the transport of motorcycles during the process of packaging. At an unloading station the packaged motorcycles are picked up by forklift trucks and put into storage.