It is learnt that the first Geely Emgrand model EC718 of B segment will be released into market soon and top equipment and advanced process are used for its production line. Is it possible for Geely, a manual manufacturer ten years ago? With attitude of suspicion, the author visited Emgrand EC718 production line located in Beicang, Ningbo early this July. Indeed, Geely does not exaggerate the situation with publicity, but the company shows an unprecedented shock to everyone with the fact. After the visit, I kept several famous manufacturers for automobile equipment in my mind, such as ABB from Sweden, Fuji from Japan, Lear from USA, PDE from Holland and Dürr.

Off-line Emgrand EC718

We came to punching shop of EC718 first. This is a brand-new workshop without any obvious difference in appearance. An array of large punching machine came into our sight when entering the gate. The accompany staff told us that it is a 2000t automatic production line with ABB manipulator. From material delivery to punching finish, complete automation is realized in the whole process. EC718 mold is manufactured by Fuji from Japan. Only 4 pieces of lateral wall can be punched per minute using traditional manual production line while the efficiency will double with the new automatic line. What’s more important, the quality of key parts can be ensured. The lateral wall with length of over 3m is easily deformed when the worker lifted the steel plate onto the mold. With the new equipment, the plate can be sucked up by the manipulator with osculum. Advanced auxiliary equipment matched is also available, such as cleaning machine, tipper and oiler. Before punching, the dust on steel plate should be cleaned and drawing oil should be smeared. In order to guarantee high quality of the punching parts, except the ABB manipulator from Sweden and mold from Japan Fuji, other larger equipment is manufactured by Dürr from Germany. This production is the most advanced punching line for independent brand in domestic.

The robots in welding workshop give us another surprise. Worldwide top equipment can be found everywhere, such as spot welding robot from Sweden ABB, gluing robot, friction body reservation line from Japan and automatic nut conveyor. According to the introduction of the staff, the welding line is a flexible production line. it can be used for both EC718 and EC718-RV. The welding robots from ABB take the responsibility for the key quality control points in welding process. All the fixtures are manufactured by Japan Fuji. We also noticed three-coordinates measuring machine with highest precision in domestic, i. e. TORO measuring machine imported from Italy. It integrates development, inspection, statistics and analysis. it works as a hinge for equipment, fixture, single part, sub-assembling part and inspection systems for BIW assembly, ensuring the unification and precision of the data in the whole manufacturing system and improving the precision of the vehicle quality inspection. Geely puts such international inspection equipment into use to show his extraordinary concern on the product quality 

ABB welding robots on EC718 production line

Painting workshop shows its unique performance from the design concept. Actively responding to national vocation of “energy-saving and emission reduction”, Emgrand puts the concept of green, environment-friendly and energy-saving into every step in the factory, especially the painting equipment. The painting system adopts Germany water painting process complying with environment-friendly concept: painting robots, as well as automatic mixing, delivering, painting and color shifting. Thus even painting, glossiness and distinctness of image (DOI) of the body can be ensured, and the utility ratio of the paint is 98% or higher. Emgrand EC718/ EC718-RV models use water paint for purpose of environment protection. There are only 3 or 4 joint ventures using the same paint. It uses water as solution without any pollution to the environment.

The assembling workshop can reflect the modernization of EC718 production in all aspects. With module and integral assembling, the workshop enjoys high utility ratio. Modern factory with dual-shift and annual capacity of 50000 units is built in Ningbo base with “no land” technical reform. For example, the front/rear axle of the chassis, engine and transmission are assembled on the body with computer-control automatic ACV dolly after modular assembly. AGV dolly goes on the production line along the designed magnetic induction rail according to the production rhythm adjustment. A lot of auxiliary manipulators are also used to assembly tire, instrument console and seat to improve the quality and reduce the labor intensity. Besides, an auxiliary production line------door sub-assembling line is added, which is totally different from the original factory, i. e. the painted body and doors are separated on the assembling line and they will get together at the final assembling line. It is easier to assemble large parts inside the vehicle, such as instrument console and seat.

Stoving varnish line

Advanced inspection equipment is adopted for assembling, such as 4-wheel angle tester from Germany Dürr and hub rotary test room, as well as online equipment, power tightener of Sweden Atlas, brake fluid vacuum filler of Germany Dürr, glass gluing robot of Swiss ABB. EC718 production equipment integrates multi-national technology to provide reliable guarantee for the quality of EC718.