Custom-fit conveyor technology for the production of combustion engines and electric vehicles
Production of the ID.3 at Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg – adaptation of the conveyor system by AFT
Until now, vehicles with combustion engines have been built at Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg. Due to the steadily growing demand for purely electric vehicles and the very slow production of combustion engines caused by a shortage of parts, the ID.3 will also be produced in Wolfsburg in the future. This will ensure sustainable capacity utilisation at the plant and extend Volkswagen’s electromobility offensive to the main plant.
The production of internal combustion and electric vehicles differs significantly from each other. Vehicles with combustion engines and vehicles with electric drives have different mounting points on the underbody and different work scopes in production. It is therefore necessary to adapt assembly line 1 in hall 12 accordingly. AFT Schopfheim will adapt the route of the heavy-duty electric overhead conveyor, insert new storage sections and supply additional electric overhead conveyor vehicles with swivel hangers. The number of manual work cycles will also be increased in the course of these measures. In addition, the controls on the existing electric overhead conveyor vehicles will be brought up to date and the communication between the vehicles and the higher-level control system will be modernised.
“We are delighted that Volkswagen has placed its trust in the skills and expertise of AFT and, following the major order for electromobility at the Zwickau plant, has now also commissioned us to adapt production at the main plant in Wolfsburg,” says Heiko Hofmann, CEO of the AFT Group.