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.

Launch celebration of 58 days GA shop modification at FAW-VW Changchun CP2 plant

Project Team of AFT Shanghai

The modification of final assembly shop of Changchun No. 2 plant will improve the production capacity, improve efficiency, reduce logistics costs, reduce the number of stations and integrate production lines.

Under the 58-days serious timing, AFT project team completed an efficient and reliable chassis line modification project.

Electric overhead monorail (EMS) for transport of doors for the Smart Hambach plant

The Smart plant in Hambach (France) is being rebuilt. Due to restructuring, the SUVs of the GLA and GLB class will be produced there in the future.

AFT Schopfheim contributes to the conversion of the plant in Hambach with the delivery of the EMS for doors. A special feature of the EMS are several lifting units that enable ergonomic working conditions at the assembly stations. AFT hereby offered a tailor-made solution suitable for the needs of Daimler. The entire system has 6 lifters, which lower the EMS vehicles from the production level below the ceiling to the assembly level and then transport them back again.
Initial assembly works on the EMS plant will begin in October 2019. The final acceptance is planned for next year.

AFT Polska

Foundation of a new subsidiary of AFT Industries AG in Poland

At the end of 2018, a new subsidiary of AFT Industries AG was founded in Poland. AFT Polska sp. z o. o. primarily supports the other subsidiaries of the AFT-Group with design engineering. Currently there are six designers and one technical director working at AFT Poland. All employees have years of extensive experience in the design of materials handling equipment. “It’s good that we were able to find such experienced designers,” says Heiko Hofmann, CEO of AFT Industries AG. “AFT Polska expands our group well and creates great added value for us, but above all for our customers!”

AFT is growing – quite literally

Extended and modernized 2nd floor provides more space for AFT employees.

Due to constant economic and personnel growth, it became necessary to counteract the increased space requirement with an extension of the office building at the AFT headquarters in Schopfheim. To make this possible, it was decided to add another floor to the existing office building. The timber-framed storey was designed by Lais Holzbau from Schoenau, Germany as a general contractor. It is wider than the existing building and ensures that even more space has been created. In mid-November 2018, the new 2nd floor was ready, and it was time for the employees to move into their new workspace. All 22 workstations are equipped with height-adjustable desks to enable ergonomic working, even while standing. Furthermore, special attention was paid to air conditioning and ventilation, as well as sophisticated lighting. The new floor also has a large glass windowed meeting room, kitchen and WC facilities.
During the construction period of one year, the office operations in the floors below were maintained. The neighbouring companies durlum GmbH and Würth Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG supported AFT by sharing their staircase and providing alternative parking spaces for the AFT personnel. “We are very happy to have resolved our space problem with the new second floor and the result is something to behold,” says Heiko Hofmann, CEO of the AFT Group. “Without the support and understanding of the neighboring companies durlum and Würth during the construction phase, many things would have been difficult or simply impossible. That’s why our thanks go to the two companies.”

Opening Ceremony of the Automotive Electric Vehicle Automobile Plant of SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Company) in Ningde (China)

On January 8, 2019, the opening ceremony of the new car electric vehicle factory of SAIC took place in Ningde (China).

SAIC is the largest car manufacturer in China with 7.05 million new registrations in 2018 in China. Among other things, SAIC has joint venture partnerships with VW, GM, IVECO and Ssang Yong.
The factory in Ningde was built to produce their own brands Roewe (Rover) and MG (Morris Garages). The Ningde plant is the fourth plant of the SAIC Group in which these are produced.
AFT supplied the BDC (Body Distribution Center) and the heavy-duty EMS with lifting hanger for final assembly.
The SAIC headquarters in Shanghai took the opportunity to introduce the management of the new plant and gave key suppliers the opportunity to introduce themselves and their company.
Mr. Vincent Zhang, Sales Director of AFT Shanghai, thanked SAIC for the more than 20 years of good cooperation, support and trust AFT has received from SAIC. He also promised to realize high-quality, on-schedule conveyor technology projects for SAIC in the future.

Conveyor technology for new C-Class in South Africa

Daimler plant East London – South Africa

In August 2018, AFT Bautzen received an order from Daimler to supply skid conveyor technology for the new shell at the East London – South Africa plant.

Almost 29 years after the production of the famous “Red S-Class” for Nelson Mandela after his release from prison, this plant will be used to produce the upcoming C-Class (W206).
For the required new bodyshop, an existing hall will be expanded and gradually filled with life. At the present time this hall is still under construction. The realisation of the conveyor technology should begin in summer 2019.

Excellent Corporate Recognition Conference 2018

On January 9, 2019, the government of Waigang Town in Jiading District, Shanghai held an awards ceremony, to honour outstanding companies in the region.

The AFT-Group has won the Best Enterprise Development Quality Award – an award for high quality and great market awareness. Mr. Zhang Shishun, General Manager of AFT Shanghai, was invited to the award and gave a speech.
AFT has been strongly supported by the local government for many years. This is a useful aid to the success of the company. At the same time, AFT has contributed a lot to the economic growth and employment of people in the region.