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mized lifecycle costs. This means increased productivityand reduced total cost of ownership for thecustomer. So when FJDA was assessing variousalternatives for the new mixed assembly line, it wasalso evaluating Siemens as a supplier. “Due to theextremely positive experiences in the parent plants,we decided to use Siemens technology in our Chineseplant in Fuzhou,” said Christoph Rentsch, FJDA.In November 2007, FJDA planning management inFuzhou decided to use Siemens technology basedon the Integra BBAC standard for all systems in thebody shop, paint shop, and assembly.Easy implementation,excellent supportFor the Fuzhou assembly project, Siemens provideda comprehensive turnkey solution for the entireafter-sales service that is fast, flexible, and in theclient’s language. Siemens automotive experts inthe headquarters and SFAE jointly developed andsuccessfully implemented the automation concept,including the Andon board system, also providingconcept overviews of the automation technologyused. In addition, thanks to SFAE it was not necessaryto bring in support from Germany for the designand commissioning of the automation project.Flexible, high-performance lineWith the new assembly line, FJDA benefits from thehighly flexible mixed-line concept for the Vito/Vianoand Sprinter models. For example, the chassis forboth models can be assembled with only one type ofassembly frame in preassembly and marriage, andthe models are transported with only one type ofAll photos: DaimleroKey points3 The Sprinter and the Vito/Vianomodels differ greatly in size andassembly concepts duringassembly and marriage3 FJDA needed a mixed-lineassembly solution that couldaccommodate that3 Siemens provided a suitableturnkey solution for theassembly line with a testing andinspection line3 FJDA benefits from a flexibleline solution that is also spacesaving, reducing the plantfootprint and costsBoth the Viano and the Sprintermodels are transported usingthe same type of EMS hangerassembly line, complete with testing and inspectionline. Siemens delivered the automation and drivesystems, such as Simatic ET 200 distributed I/Os,Simatic S7 controllers, Simatic panels, and Scalancenetwork components, along with all required engineeringfor the chassis installation and preassembly,the conveyor technology (electrical overheadmonorail system, slat and skid conveyor), the fillingequipment, and the testing systems (roller tester,wheel alignment, headlight aiming tester, etc.).electric monorail system (EMS) hanger using alternatingadapters. Due to this flexibility, the line doesnot require any buffers for different kinds of assemblyframes. This design is space saving, reducing theplant footprint and costs. pThe entire automation technology solution wasproduced by Siemens Factory Automation EngineeringLtd. (SFAE) in China. SFAE also provides localinfocontactwww.siemens.com/automotivehans.heinl@siemens.commove up | 1-2010 9