Title: Flexible machining line for heavy-duty truck parts

Authors: K. Okada

Addresses: Production Engineering Division, Isuzu Motors Ltd., Kawasaki-shi, Japan

Abstract: In the production of many varieties of heavy-duty trucks in small or medium volume, the installation of separate machine tools and manufacturing equipment for each individual truck line is extremely disadvantageous in terms of production cost and the ability to meet changes in product distribution. Therefore, using the group technology concept, a single automated production system has been developed, whereby all the parts sorted into groups by their shape or production process can be machined, irrespective of the truck line. This new line is referred to as the flexible machining line and is capable of producing parts in large volume as well as meeting sudden changes in product design in a single manufacturing location, thus attaining economy of scale. This paper outlines the implementation at Isuzu Motors of transmission gear machining provided mainly with all-round machine tools and the flexible utilization of transfer machine typical of compound tools.

Keywords: flexible machining lines; heavy duty trucks; parts production; vehicle design; heavy vehicles; Isuzu Motors; transmission gears; gear machining.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1985.061347

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1985 Vol.6 No.1, pp.108 - 120

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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