Red Flag Series Report - H Platform Assembly Workshop - New Benchmark for Smart Factories - Conceptual Article

On February 28, 2019, Chairman Xu Liuping of FAW Group issued a commencement order at the new Hongqi H platform assembly workshop, which means that the Ninth Institute successfully completed the most automated comprehensive EPC project of the assembly workshop in just over a year. The Ninth Institute aims to create the ultimate quality of Hongqi and has designed and built a new Hongqi H platform assembly workshop that integrates flexibility, intelligence, sharing, and information technology. It is currently the most advanced 'smart factory' and 'green factory' in China.

First, let's take a look at what high-tech advanced concepts have been introduced in the production process of the new Hongqi H platform assembly workshop. Adaptive Production Line The adaptive production line of the new H platform assembly workshop consists of AGV carts, transfer devices, and control systems.

The body is automatically transported by AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), which can adjust the station spacing according to the model type and expand the production line or adjust the layout based on production demand, successfully solving the problem of factory space interference. In future capacity expansion and transformation, it only requires increasing the number of AGVs and changing the ground walking routes without being affected by special structure foundations or production stoppage cycles, significantly reducing investment costs and transformation cycles, making it a domestic first.

The lifting fixtures and sliding plates designed and manufactured by the Ninth Institute can adjust the height of the body within a certain range according to process operation needs, meeting the best working posture for operators, saving working hours, and ensuring vehicle quality.

The new H assembly workshop can accommodate mixed-line production from A to C class vehicles, from sedans to SUVs, and from traditional vehicles to new energy vehicles, laying a solid foundation for capacity expansion.

Full-line AGV automatic logistics

The new Hongqi H platform assembly workshop uses AGVs to achieve full-line automatic logistics, which is a domestic first. The logistics system consists of conveying AGVs, automatic transfer mechanisms, LES systems, and RFID information recognition systems.

With nearly 160 AGVs in the factory, it can complete material transportation across 33 transport routes; using the LES system to obtain material delivery times to guide logistics delivery rhythm; AGVs deliver parts on time to corresponding stations according to system instructions; RFID automatic identification devices verify material delivery locations. The entire process achieves unmanned delivery and intelligent logistics.

Full coverage electric tightening

There are nearly 100 high-precision electric tightening machines in the new H platform assembly workshop, with a density far exceeding industry standards. Each tightening machine is equipped with a MasterPC system that can display tightening requirements and operation results in real-time. Tightening data is uploaded and stored in the tightening network system for easy traceability.

Integrated electrical testing system

The new Hongqi H platform assembly workshop uses an advanced electrical testing platform system for writing activation and functional testing of vehicle electrical programs. The system can share and store all electrical function testing results in real-time for subsequent quality traceability and problem analysis resolution.

The electrical testing system software can be upgraded to meet system testing needs for newly added models in the future, greatly reducing subsequent transformation cycles and costs.

▲ Electrical Testing Data Central Control System

The new H platform assembly workshop is equipped with an advanced MES central control system that can monitor and store information such as vehicle sequence models, process parameters, product quality, and energy consumption during manufacturing in real-time, achieving closed-loop management of production process information. Information among various links within the MES system is interconnected to ensure product quality and traceability of production issues. The system also reserves expansion interfaces for sales order systems, process design systems, etc., which can be used to meet customer customization needs, shorten delivery cycles, and enhance user experience.

The application of these new concepts and technologies fully reflects the spirit of continuous exploration and innovation by the Ninth Institute to meet customer needs. In the next report, we will also showcase what cutting-edge technologies are used in the five automated workstations of the new Hongqi H platform assembly workshop.