Together, we will design your assembly processes
Despite increasing automation possibilities, assembly processes are still among the most labour-intensive work processes in the manufacturing industry. At the same time, the lack of skilled workers has an effect. In our view, however, optimizing the interaction between the two instances is much more important than simply replacing humans. Where can the use of automation technology specifically relieve or even replace people and where is the use of human intelligence still important? These are the central questions of innovative assembly planning.
As experts in discrete manufacturing processes, assembly planning is one of our core competences. Together, we analyze which assembly principles are best suited to your products and design a compatible overall system with an efficient connection to the upstream and downstream process steps.
Cycle time. Line design. Automation.
Many factors flow into the solution design, such as the selection of the appropriate assembly principle, the cycle time, the design of the material supply or the determination of the appropriate degree of automation.
Furthermore, hybrid assembly systems are becoming an increasingly important aspect of human-machine collaboration. Practical observations repeatedly show that highly automated systems do not achieve the intended performance level because the interaction with humans is not harmonized. As a result, value creation potential remains unutilized, which can quickly become business-critical in the competition for an attractive price level.
Designing a future-orientated assembly system
With many years of experience in discrete manufacturing, we will support you in designing your assembly system to meet your requirements. Following a detailed process analysis, the introduction of (collaborative) robotics or the integration of IoT technologies are possible next steps. In close coordination with all parties involved, we ensure that the integration of automated or hybrid systems is also successful for your company.
Customization of your assembly system
The customization factor plays a major role in the planning of the assembly system, as the target output per unit of time, for example, is the decisive factor. If you are already clear about the appropriate assembly principles in your factory, we will support you with the specific design. Otherwise, we will work together to determine the optimum principle, taking into account your product characteristics, the variance and the expected quantity development. In the area of conflict between flexibility and efficiency, the principle to be favored can range from site-built assembly to sequenced flow line to matrix principle.
Assembly planning and production logistics
In planning projects, it is becoming increasingly apparent how important it is to consider the interface to production logistics directly for assembly planning. Determining the decoupling points and buffer ranges is essential in order to enable a demand-based material supply to the assembly (lines) in production operations. As a result, the necessary picking areas or supermarkets are dimensioned in the layout, for example.
The basic concept is followed by the selection of suitable load carriers and compatible conveyors for the provision of the required components and c parts. However, the interface to production logistics does not end with the assembly supply, but also includes the subsequent material flow towards the end product.
Including economic factors
In order to identify the optimum solution for the design of the production logistics surrounding the assembly system, economic factors are also important in addition to functional aspects. For example, FTE calculations or the determination of amortization periods for different equipment variants have a significant influence on the final decision.
Automation and system integration
Simulation for more reliable desicion-making
The more standardized your assembly process is, the more important it is to consider automation and system integration. Given the complexity of these processes, static considerations during the planning stage are often no longer sufficient to provide a sound basis for decision-making. In these cases, selected simulation methods and tools help to anticipate the behaviour in the system network or particularly complex sub-areas.

Simon Vehof
Business Development Manager

Matthias Göke
Managing Partner