High technology line includes robots and control system
Shanghai, China, June 28, 2004 – ABB today signed a $9.2 million contract with Dalian Diesel Engine Company for a high-tech engine assembly line.
"ABB was involved early in the development of the assembly line concept and focused very much on transferring our input into a smart and cost-effective solution," said Dalian Diesel, one of two top diesel engine manufacturers in FAW Jiefang Automotive Co., Ltd.
ABB said it would supply robots, equipment, a control system, a data collection system and a dynamic display system to monitor 105 manufacturing stations. Twenty-five of the stations are automatic and semi-automatic, and will help produce 6 series Deutz engines and 2 existing series engines.
"This contract marks an important step in our effort to localize the ABB’s powertrain assembly business in China," said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of Automation Technologies for ABB in China. "The line consists of a main engine internal assembly line, an external assembly line, a cylinder head line and piston and connecting rod assembly line, and covers 6,500 square meters."
Dalian Diesel Engine Company is one of the top-five diesel engine suppliers nationwide with large market share in the country. The Deutz engine contract will support FAW's heavy and medium truck project, and involves many manufacturers across the FAW Group. The 1013, 2012 and 2013 Deutz engine series occupies a very large proportion in the domestic heavy truck market.
Following the successful completion of the Wuxi Diesel Engine project, the Dalian Diesel Engine project is a new challenge for ABB Engine in China together with ABB powertrain in Sweden.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 113,000 people. ABB in China (www.abb.com.cn) has around 6,500 employees in about 23 cities.