Vision systems continue to be a key aspect of industrial automation and allow manufacturers to increase yield and quality across their factories. According to “AutomationWorld” automation and flexible manufacturing techniques are supporting U.S. automotive manufacturers ability to meet the increasing demand. Machine vision systems are critical requirements when it comes to adopting flexible and lean manufacturing techniques.
According to the article “flexible manufacturing is the current mantra for U.S. automakers. In 2008, automotive plants closed, unions restructured contracts, and Tier 1 and 2 suppliers simply went out of business due to lack of sales. In 2009, U.S. vehicle sales plummeted to 10.4 million units, and 27 U.S.-based auto plants were closed.
Fast forward to 2013 and U.S. automotive plants are running three shifts, six days a week, and edmunds.com predicts more than 15.5 million U.S. vehicles will be sold, with forecasts of 16.4 million units to be sold in 2014. Chrysler sales alone hit a six-year high in 2013.
Chrysler has three less assembly plants than they did 5 years ago and one less stamping plant therefore this can only be achieved through greater use of automation.”