Siemens is providing the automation and control technology for Shanghai GM (SGM), one of the most respected automotive companies in China and noted for building majestic American cars for the Chinese market. Especially the Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) system equipped with Totally Integrated Automation boosts efficiency in production.
SGM, (a joint venture of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and General Motors), is the leading passenger car manufacturer in China. In short time, cars produced by SGM reached a 10 percent market share, with tendency rising. Its high process quality is also assured by Siemens Technology.
Flexible production lines are one of the characteristics at SGM. Four different platform models come from the common production line, which shortens cycle-time of new models. To expand the capacity, in March 2003, SGM invested in a totally new plant, the SGM South Plant, with up to 200,000 cars rolling off the production line each year.SGM, (a joint venture of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and General Motors), is the leading passenger car manufacturer in China. In short time, cars produced by SGM reached a 10 percent market share, with tendency rising. Its high process quality is also assured by Siemens Technology.
24/7 regional Siemens support ensures that all cars roll of the assembly line on time.
SGM looked for an automation platform that would be flexible, simple to program and troubleshoot for their maintenance personnel, and which would integrate readily on a fieldbus with third party components. Initially, since SGM already has a preferred system supplier, it was not a small challenge changing to Siemens technology at Shanghai GM new facilities. However, after witnessing the consistently impressive products quality – especially our extraordinary local technical support and services network – SGM was convinced that Siemens met suppliers’ performance in four areas: quality, service, technology, and price. Also, our solution services (engineering and on-site service) were in high demand at the SGM South Plant.
In the SGM South Plant, Siemens automation and control technology is utilized in the body distribution center, the paint shop, and parts of the assembly line, where motors, transmissions, seats, wheels, etc. are installed. The Siemens AVI system to identify and track the car bodies in the highly complex production lines.
SGM’s body distribution center, paint shop (shown here) and assembly shop profit from Totally Integrated Automation by Siemens.
The SGM plant is manufacturing four different car models, each one can also vary. In order to produce such a variety based on customer orders, the production process needs to be highly flexible. The chosen technology has indeed proven to exceed customer expectations.
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