NEW CARS. CONVERTING CONCEPTS INTO PRODUCTION REALITIES

Through extensive conversions of existing facilities, American car manufacturers are converting engineering, styling and research concepts into production realities. The GM20 facility, the latest of these to assemble cars, is described in this article. These facilities also show improved integration of worker and workplace. The training of employees is also emphasized. Examples of improved technology to aid employees and improve the quality of the product are described. The team build concept to move cars through the assembly process is described. Other examples described are as follows: Automatic welding system which guarantees that crucial welds on exhaust systems are perfect; docks where supplies are received under a just-in-time system thus eliminating costly inventory buildups; and the automatic guided vehicle system (AGVS) which carries chassis assemblies and engines through the build process and then merge with the conveyors to marry those parts to the bodies. The latest technology is used to check GM20 vehicles when they actually come off the line. In the test roll area, computerized systems and employees contribute towards the dynamic vehicle test and a quality vehicle.

• Corporate Authors:

  US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

  Norton AFB, CA  United States  92409
• Publication Date: 1984-10

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 14-17
• Serial:
  • Driver
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Assembly lines; Automatic welding; Automobile industry; Conveyors; Industrial engineering; Manufacturing; Production; Technology; Training; Vehicle tests
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile assembly
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00395460
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-037 980
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM