Comau has built an advanced, automated welding solution for Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd (BFDA), a joint venture between Daimler Trucks AG and the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton Motor. In doing so, Comau is helping support BFDA’s first localized heavy-duty truck for the Chinese market, the “Actros”, which is based on the Mercedes-Benz global platform and uses Daimler’s most advanced truck technology. Featuring 100% process automation, the Comau-designed production line is engineered to be completely flexible in order to handle complex model management and variable output management. With a target annual production capacity of 50,000 units, Comau’s welding solution will meet both the customer’s current and future production requirements.
Under the scope of the project, Comau’s engineering team was tasked with mastering the Daimler Integra 6 standard to create an automated, flexible, intelligent and digital welding line for both the door area and the framework of the instrument panel.
Built to ensure cycle efficiency and streamline workflows, the solution features proprietary Comau products, such as RH-Clean, an automatic cleaning roller device that can be used with different types of rollers and pre-hemming tools, and a quality-control vision system that uses QUISS camera detection and is equipped with a kick-in/kick-off process to ensure the quality of the parts after gluing. Finally, the project also leverages virtual commissioning technology to help test and optimize the new production line while shortening the actual commissioning time, reducing labor hours and reducing potential post-site commissioning risks.
Mass production of the high-end Actros truck is expected to start in Q2 2023.
About Comau
Comau, a member of Stellantis, is a worldwide leader in delivering advanced industrial automation products and systems. Its portfolio includes technology and systems for electric, hybrid and traditional vehicle manufacturing, industrial robots, collaborative and wearable robotics, autonomous logistics, dedicated machining centers and interconnected digital services and products able to transmit, elaborate and analyze machine and process data. With over 45 years of experience and a strong presence within every major industrial country, Comau is helping manufacturers of all sizes in almost any industry experience higher quality, increased productivity, faster time-to-market and lower overall costs. The company’s offering also extends to project management and consultancy, as well as maintenance and training for a wide range of industrial segments. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, Comau has an international network of 6 innovation centers, 5 digital hubs, 9 manufacturing plants that span 13 countries and employ 4,000 people. A global network of distributors and partners allows the company to respond quickly to the needs of customers, no matter where they are located throughout the world. Through the training activities organized by its Academy, Comau is also committed to developing the technical and managerial knowledge necessary for companies to face the challenges and opportunities of Industry 4.0.
For more information, visit www.comau.com.