Transforming Automobile Assembly

1 Introduction.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Concepts and Histories.- 2.1 Assembly Automation in Europe - Past Experience and Future Trends.- 2.2 Basic Trends in the Physics and Economics of Automated Fabrication and Assembly Operations.- 2.3 Key Characteristics of Assembly Automation Systems.- 2.4 What Do You Mean by Automation Ratio? Definitions by the Japanese Auto Makers.- 3 Diversity of Approaches.- 3.1 Present State and Future Vision of Vehicle Assembly Automation in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.- 3.2 Development of a new Vehicle Assembly Line at Toyota: Worker-oriented, Autonomous, new Assembly System.- 3.3 Modular Assembly in Mixed-Model Production at Mazda.- 3.4 Production of the NSX at Honda: An Alternative Directionfor Assembly Organization.- 3.5 The Development of an Intelligent Body Assembly System.- 3.6 The Opel Production System.- 3.7 Platform and Modular Concepts at Volkswagen - Their Effects on the Assembly Process.- 3.8 Automation at Renault: Strategy and Form.- 3.9 Building Capabilities in Assembly Automation: Fiat's Experiences from Robogate to the Melfi Plant.- 3.10 The Development of a Reflective Production System Layout at Volvo's Uddevalla Car Assembly Plant.- 4 Issues and Dynamics.- 4.1 Strategies for Assembly Automation in the Automobile Industry.- 4.2 From Fixed to Flexible: Automation and Work Organization Trends from the International Assembly Plant Study.- 4.3 Rolling Back Cycle Times: The Renaissance of the Classic Assembly Line in Final Assembly.- 4.4 Rationalization also Involves Workers - Teamwork in the Mercedes-Benz Lean Concept.- 4.5 Patterns of Work Organization in the German Automobile Industry.- 4.6 The Current Social Form of Automation and a Conceivable Alternative: Experience in France.- 4.7 Worker-Generated ProductionImprovements in a Reflective Production System - or Kaizen in a Reflective Production System.- 4.8 Advanced Automation or Alternative Production Design? A Reflection on the new Japanese Assembly Plants and the

Five years after the MIT-Report on the situation in worlds automotive industries the results of the changes in work organization and automation are reviewed and evaluated. Experts from Japan, Europe and US America join their skills in this publication. The reader will get an inside-view into all leading car-making companies.