Excelling at Aston Martin
June 1st 2005

Excel Automation has designed and built Aston Martin’s DB9 assembly line at Gaydon, Warwickshire.

According to the company, the bespoke handling system integrates multiple transferring and conveying techniques to deliver precise controlled movement to a production line that runs on indexation, spaced at an approximate thirty-five minute tact time – unlike many that operate with conventional based workflow.

Upon request from Aston Martin’s supervisory system, individual car bodies are dispatched from a body store and carried into the trim and final assembly area by AGV where they are transferred onto a jig-slat conveyor. Prior to being released to final assembly the door an 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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