Faurecia’s digital factory simulation programme set to optimise assembly and paint lines

Faurecia, the world’s third largest automotive interior component manufacturer, is using £140,000 worth of assembly process simulation software from developer Tecnomatix, initially for its French Front End division to plan and optimise its assembly and paint lines. The firm is to use Tecnomatix’s eM-Planner and eM-Plant assembly and process definition and workflow simulation suites for its substantial ‘digital factory’ programme. The goal is to reduce production cycle times, also improving line balancing as well as product quality and process reliability. In brief detail, Faurecia says the software will be used to evaluate the number of workers needed per line, validating various assembly scenarios, operation planning and resource selection, line throughput optimisation and synchronisation with OEM vehicle assembly lines. It will also be used to analyse for logistics optimisation of the entire shopfloor, and line optimisation, taking into account all product variations. Following the initial project, Faurecia is likely to deploy Tecnomatix’s eM-Power solutions in others of its plants.