Importance of End-of-Line Equipment in the Automotive Sector

Importance of End-of-Line Equipment in the Automotive Sector

When manufacturing vehicles, one of the most important stages of the process is end-of-line (EOL) testing. With the help of EOL testing equipment, automotive manufacturers can achieve reliable quality assurance and confidently deliver high-performance vehicles to customers. Learn more about EOL testing, what it entails, and why EOL equipment is so important.

What Is End-of-Line Testing?

EOL testing occurs at the end of the assembly process before delivery, ensuring that vehicles and their components meet all applicable quality and safety standards for the industry as well as any customer-specific requirements. These inspections comprise multiple processes, including:

• Inspections
• Functional testing
• Performance testing
• Mechanical testing
• Electrical testing
• Leak detection

Increasing Importance of End-of-Line Testing

New developments in the automotive industry have made EOL testing more important than ever. One such innovation is the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Using battery pack end-of-line testing equipment, for example, manufacturers can ensure that their EV batteries are both dependable and safe for vehicle use. EOL testing can check several EV components, from control systems to motors.

Automotive systems have also become increasingly complex in their designs, with enhancements like infotainment and driver-assistance systems (ADAS) requiring additional testing to confirm their functionality. Using state-of-the-art EOL test systems, manufacturers can evaluate the compatibility and successful integration of these and other technological advancements within their vehicles.

In addition, many automotive regulations have tightened their standards, requiring manufacturers to take sufficient measures to maintain compliance. The right EOL testing equipment can help you avoid problems ranging in severity from warranty claims to vehicle and passenger safety issues and resulting automotive recalls.

Automated End-of-Line Testing Solutions

Automating EOL testing processes has become a necessity as manufacturers seek to optimize operational efficiency and productivity without sacrificing test accuracy. Automated testing equipment enables shorter overall testing cycles while eliminating the need for human intervention, resulting in lower labor costs, reduced risk of human error, and improved productivity.

To realize the testing benefits of end-of-line automation equipment within your production line, Advanced Manufacturing Development (AMD) Inc. can help. We have extensive experience in automotive assembly and parts testing solutions. Using AMD’s EOL testing equipment allows you to compare testing results to a part’s set criteria to make sure it falls within acceptable tolerances and specifications. If not, you have the opportunity to replace or rework the part before a customer receives your finished product, ensuring safer vehicles and a positive customer experience.

Among our custom testing station options, we’ve developed camera-equipped vision systems that can identify anything from the presence of the correct parts within an assembly to a weld’s mechanical resistance. Using our technologies, you’ll even be able to differentiate components based on subtle differences that the human eye might struggle to detect, such as headrests of real versus synthetic leather material. Additionally, our testing stations can evaluate for:

• The “noise” that components produce regardless of amplitude or frequency
• The force required to activate a button
• The synchronization of central console compartment doors

You can also conduct functional testing for electronic boards and various mechanisms on a vehicle.

Learn More About Testing Equipment for the Auto Industry

High-quality automated end-of-line testing equipment facilitates effective testing for automotive parts and vehicles. AMD specializes in custom standalone and integrated testing stations, which we’ll design and build based on your unique needs and precise specifications. Our EOL equipment will help you automate testing processes for highly efficient evaluations that minimize the risk of human error and out-of-spec components.

To best support your company’s goals for quality assurance, we also offer in-line testing equipment as well as a range of assembly stations and manufacturing machinery. Contact us to learn more about our equipment solutions for the automotive market, or request a quote today for custom EOL testing stations and more.

Robotic Cells for Manufacturing Electronics & Auto Parts

Robotic cells are highly advanced systems programmed to carry out a specific task or multiple tasks. They are commonly integrated into various manufacturing operations to boost efficiency, enhance product quality, and improve employee safety via automation. Here, we’ll explore robotic cells and their role in manufacturing electronics and auto parts. For more information on this topic, please download our eBook.

What Is a Robotic Cell?

A robotic manufacturing cell is an automated work system consisting of one or several programmable robots. Sometimes called robot cells or robotized cells, these systems are used to perform specific functions at various points in the manufacturing process.

Typically, robotic cells are composed of the following primary components:

• A robot
• Vision systems
• Auxiliary tools
• Safety barriers

Depending on your unique needs, system integrators can design the most effective robot cell that enhances safety and makes the most of available space. By integrating these systems into your electronics and auto part manufacturing processes, you can optimize and speed up operations.

Robotic Cells in Electronics Manufacturing

The electronics manufacturing industry is a rapidly advancing sector that relies on the latest production technologies to meet demands for faster, smaller, and more sophisticated devices. Robotic cells are ideal for helping manufacturers meet these demands, offering benefits such as:

• Ease of Integration. Modern robotics systems are easy to program, integrate, and deploy. Robotic cells can meet the unique needs of the electronics industry – for example, they can be designed with secondary decoders to achieve the required precision and accuracy.
• Improved Reliability. Robots offer incredible reliability, with many offering a mean time between failure (MTBF) of over 62,000 hours. Although robotic cells may include several sensors, machines, and other devices that have higher error rates than the actual robot itself, the overall system is typically far less complicated than other automation solutions.

Robotic Cells in Auto Parts Manufacturing Operations

Robotic cells are ideal for carrying out various tasks in the auto parts manufacturing industry, including:

• Welding. Robots with extended reach and high payload can manipulate and weld large components like frames and body panels. Small robots with shorter arms can weld brackets, handle mounts, and other subassemblies.
• Assembly. A robotic assembly cell can perform complex and laborious processes, such as motor and pump construction, windshield installation, wheel mounting, and screw driving.
• Machine Tending. Robotic systems can be programmed to perform machine tending tasks, including loading components into CNC machines and removing finishing moldings from injection molding equipment.
• Material Removal. Programmable robots can perform various repetitive material removal tasks, such as flash trimming, mold polishing, and fabric cutting.
• Part Transfer. Robotic cells can perform labor-intensive and unsafe tasks, including moving heavy or hot components throughout a manufacturing facility.

Download Our eBook on Robotic Cells for Manufacturing Electronics & Auto Parts

Robotic cells offer several advantages for electronics and auto part manufacturing, including improved worker safety, enhanced productivity, and better product quality. At AMD, our highly experienced team of robotics experts can design custom robotic cells capable of handling both simple and complex manufacturing tasks.

For more information about the many benefits, features, and applications of robotic cells within electronics and auto part manufacturing operations, download our eBook. You can also request a quote to get started on your custom robotic cell solution.