Daimler was the first to put its trust in FAStplant® when it built a six module pilot plant at Sindelfingen (Germany) in 2004. Further test plants followed for Toyota at Valenciennes (France), Ford at Cologne and VW at Zwickau (both Germany). This was because the rapid installation and high adaptability characteristics of FAStplant® make it particularly suitable for test programs involving a variety of models and prototypes.
The first customer, Daimler, relocated its FAStplant® system three times within a period of six years and is now utilizing it at its fourth location. Other OEMs, such as BMW and Audi, have opted for FAStplant® for smaller production series: Audi has been assembling the R8 sports car with the system at Neckarsulm (Germany) since 2006 and at Chennai (India) several different BMW models have been produced very flexibly on a CKD assembly line there since 2007. The first mass-production chassis line – incorporating 80 FAStplant® modules and including 58 hangers with infinitely adjustable height regulation – was built by GM at San Luis Potosi (Mexico). This American manufacturer has been producing 100,000 vehicles per year there since 2009.
The FAStplant® system, which is based on a simple modular principle and allows pre-fabricated and tested modules to be combined freely to form assembly lines, is proving increasingly convincing in other industrial branches too. A motor cycle manufacturer is currently having new concept FAStplant® utilities modules installed so that work stations are uniformally equipped. This system user is introducing FAStplant® on a worldwide basis and is capitalizing on the system’s strength – simplicity of production capacity adaptation around the globe.
FAStplant® is not affected by roof load restrictions so simple, low cost building concepts can be implemented irrespective of the size and weight of the product involved. A newly developed heavy duty module has made it possible to transfer FAStplant® technology to aircraft production. Two assembly lines, incorporating 130 modules and with a total length of more than 1.2 km, went into operation for Lockheed Martin at Fort Worth (USA) in March 2010. For the first time in aircraft manufacture wings are being assembled in pulse production there. The wings can even be turned on their own axis so that special assembly processes can be carried out.
The diversity of these FAStplant® projects shows just how vital it is for system users to be able to modify manufacturing lines easily and to adapt production quickly and optimally to suit changing market situations.
