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Comau Designed and Deployed a Flexible Automation Solution to Mass Produce NIO’s Next-Generation Electric Drive Systems
Comau has implemented a high-performance turnkey solution to automate the manufacturing of NIO’s next-generation electric drive systems. The multi-faceted project also ensures fast and reliable co-line production for the electric vehicle manufacturer’s 3rd-generation induction and permanent magnet motors, both of which are integral parts of its proprietary electric drive systems (EDS).
The comprehensive solution includes primary lines such as e-motor assembly lines, gearbox manufacturing, and inverter assembly lines, as well as EOL (End of Line) testing processes. It's designed to support a large-scale annual production capacity of 1 million units, to be used within NIO’s electric sedans, coupes, and SUVs, as well as select models of its sub-brand ALPS.
"When it comes to implementing cutting-edge technological solutions, experience and know-how play a decisive role in success. We have been deeply impressed by Comau’s extensive expertise in electric drive systems assembly throughout our partnership. The innovative solution has reliably supported the project, helping us overcome various challenges and achieve our desired results,” said Alan Zeng, Senior Vice President of NIO and CEO of XPT. "Our collaboration follows a simultaneous engineering approach, which promotes close cooperation between both parties and drives project progress efficiently. This approach not only ensures progress and cost control but also guarantees the quality, performance, and reliability of the final product.”
Comau’s advanced automation solution delivers optimal flexibility and scalability, allowing the customer to adjust its production environment to accommodate different process parameters as needed for new products. To further increase production line flexibility and enable co-line production of the two electric drive systems, Comau has collaboratively developed a new adapter with a zero-point positioner together with NIO’s e-drive team. This innovative accessory effectively unifies design, process, and control standards, allowing different assembly requirements to be met while maintaining maximum flexibility.
Comau’s highly automated manufacturing environment also features 3D vision-guided robots, AGVs for autonomous material supply, and automatic tool-end loading, which have helped significantly enhance the customer’s production efficiency. Furthermore, the widespread use of quadnocular stereovision 3D cameras has allowed Comau to successfully overcome the limitations of vision guidance technology in terms of field of view and gripping range, granting automatic part positioning and assembly in addition to excellent repeatability.
"Considering the rapid growth of new energy vehicles in China, a market in which production rates and sales volumes in the first half of 2023 have increased by 42.4% and 44.1% respectively1, the demand for electric drive systems has increased significantly,” explained Jeff Yuan, Comau Head of Countries Cluster APAC. “Our joint effort with NIO to create a highly automated production environment has allowed the customer to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the performance of its next-generation EDS technology.”1
