Nissan reduces cycle time three-fold using robot

Citation

(2001), "Nissan reduces cycle time three-fold using robot", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928faf.004

Nissan reduces cycle time three-fold using robot

Nissan reduces cycle time three-fold using robot

Keywords: Adhesives, Nissan

Europe's most efficient car plant, Nissan Motors in Sunderland, has recently installed a new system from Modular Automation to apply adhesive to glass panels for the new Nissan Aimera. The system makes a significant contribution to the plant's continuous search for more efficient manufacturing processes (see Plate 4).

The system applies adhesive to side glass panels prior to fitting. It includes two identical cells for left and right-hand panels. Both cells are programmed to operate on left- or right-hand panels as necessary.

The process begins when an operator loads the panels onto a belt conveyor for presentation to a centralising mechanism for product orientation.

A site-standard Fanuc robot then picks up the glass using vacuum suction and manipulates it under a static adhesive gun. When complete the robot places the glass in a rack ready for the operator to fit onto the car by hand.

Plate 4 This new system from Modular Automation applies adhesive to glass panels, reducing cycle time three-fold for Nissan, the UK's most efficient car plant

The current system used for Primera for applying the adhesive uses a fixed jig and takes three minutes to apply the adhesive to two windows. The new system takes just 44 seconds per window and automatically differentiates between left and right-hand glass.

Modular Automation is currently discussing a minor upgrade to the system to allow it to transfer to the new Nissan Micra line due to start production in 18 months.

For further information contact William Bourn, Modular Automation, Talbot Way, Small Heath Business Park, Birmingham, B10 0HS, UK. Tel: +44 (0)121 766 7979; Fax: +44 (0)121 766 6385; E-mail: bourn@modular.co.uk