Future Assembly System in Automobile Industry - Human Friendly Line

A 'human friendly system' of a final assembly line in automobile manufacturers is surveyed as a next generation system, by a group of principle production engineers of Japanese automobile manufacturers. The module structure of a automobile should be introduced not only for more automated assembly but also for an attractive line to workers. Since the labor shortage will become as large as 30% in the year 2000, fundamental approach is necessary to redesign the labor-intensive assembly line. The current lines are analyzed for physical, mental, environmental viewpoints, and short sub-assembly lines for each module is proposed. The characteristics of the proposed system are to operate sub-assembly lines parallel; to make workers understand the whole sub-assembly line; and to promote the technical exchange among lines. The system will be introduced quickly in Japan.