Precise handling for Aston Martin
August 1st 2006

Excel Automation has designed and built a handling system for Aston Martin's DB9 final assembly line at Gaydon in Warwickshire. The bespoke handling system integrates many conveying and transfer techniques to deliver precise, controlled movement to a production line that runs on indexation, spaced at an approximate thirty-five minute tact time.

Individual car bodies are despatched from a body store and carried into the trim and final assembly area by AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) where they are transferred onto a jig-slat conveyor. Prior to being released to final assembly the door and front-end module are removed to allow fitters easier access. The doors are placed in carriers and conveyed by Excel standard belt driven 500UB Series powered roller conveyor through the door assembly process prior to buffer area to await recall when its matching body arrives at the final assembly stage.

The front-end module is placed on a transfer trolley and these are also buffered and recalled at the final assembly stage.

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