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MANUFACTORING ESTABLISHMENT
automotive employment forecast projects that from 2013 to 2018, employment will
increase by approximately 10.8 percent, with a compound average growth rate of
2.1 percent. Production is forecast to continue expanding, growing at a compound
average growth rate.
Vehicle Production & Automotive Employment Forecasts, 2013-2018
The next section provides background information to the current trends in manufacturing in
SA as well as employment ratios for different manufacturing industries and the contribution
of SMMEs in different industries in the manufacturing sector.
Vehicle Material Compostion in International Market
Inspections and Corrective Measures
Messy workplace
Causes
Corrective Measures
Causes
Corrective Measures
* External Problems
-Replacing Spark Plugs
Corrective Measures
Components
The automobile assembly plant represents only the final phase in the process of
manufacturing an automobile, for it is here that the components supplied by more
than 4,000 outside suppliers, including company-owned parts suppliers, are
brought together for assembly, usually by truck or railroad. Those parts that will
be used in the chassis are delivered to one area, while those that will comprise
the body are unloaded at another.
Chassis
The typical car or truck is constructed from the ground up (and out). The frame
forms the base on which the body rests and from which all subsequent assembly
components follow. The frame is placed on the assembly line and clamped to the
conveyer to prevent shifting as it moves down the line. From here the automobile
frame moves to component assembly areas where complete front and rear
suspensions, gas tanks, rear axles and drive shafts, gear boxes, steering box
components, wheel drums, and braking systems are sequentially installed.
Body
Generally, the floor pan is the largest body component to which a multitude of
panels and braces will subsequently be either welded or bolted. As it moves
down the assembly line, held in place by clamping fixtures, the shell of the
vehicle is built
The front and rear door pillars, roof, and body side panels are assembled in the same
fashion. The shell of the automobile assembled in this section of the process lends itself
to the use of robots because articulating arms can easily introduce various component
braces and panels to the floor pan and perform a high number of weld operations in a
time frame and with a degree of accuracy no human workers could ever approach.
Paint
Prior to painting, the body must pass through a rigorous inspection process,
the body in white operation. The shell of the vehicle passes through a brightly lit
white room where it is fully wiped down by visual inspectors using cloths soaked
in hi-light oil. Under the lights, this oil allows inspectors to see any defects in the
sheet metal body panels. Dings, dents, and any other defects are repaired right
on the line by skilled body repairmen. After the shell has been fully inspected and
repaired, the assembly conveyor carries it through a cleaning station where it is
immersed and cleaned of all residual oil, dirt, and contaminants.
Prior to painting, the body must pass through a rigorous inspection process, the body in
white operation. The shell of the vehicle passes through a brightly lit white room where it is fully
wiped down by visual inspectors using cloths soaked in hi-light oil. Under the lights, this oil
allows inspectors to see any defects in the sheet metal body panels. Dings, dents, and any other
defects are repaired right on the line by skilled body repairmen. After the shell has been fully
inspected and repaired, the assembly conveyor carries it through a cleaning station where it is
immersed and cleaned of all residual oil, dirt, and contaminants.
As the shell exits the cleaning station it goes through a drying booth and then through an
undercoat dipan electrostatically charged bath of undercoat paint (called the E-coat) that
covers every nook and cranny of the body shell, both inside and out, with primer. This coat acts
as a substrate surface to which the top coat of colored paint adheres.
After the E-coat bath, the shell is again dried in a booth as it proceeds on to the final paint
operation. In most automobile assembly plants today, vehicle bodies are spray-painted by robots
that have been programmed to apply the exact amounts of paint to just the right areas for just the
right length of time. Considerable research and programming has gone into the dynamics of
robotic painting in order to ensure the fine "wet" finishes we have come to expect. Our robotic
painters have come a long way since Ford's first Model Ts, which were painted by hand with a
brush.
Once the shell has been fully covered 1 V with a base coat of color paint and a clear top coat,
the conveyor transfers the bodies through baking ovens where the paint is cured at temperatures
exceeding 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius).
The body and chassis assemblies are mated near the end of the production process. Robotic arms lift the body shell onto
the chassis frame, where human workers then bolt the two together. After final components are installed, the vehicle is
driven off the assembly line to a quality checkpoint.
After the shell leaves the paint area it is ready for interior assembly.
Interior assembly
The painted shell proceeds through the interior assembly area where workers
assemble all of the instrumentation and wiring systems, dash panels, interior
lights, seats, door and trim panels, headliners, radios, speakers, all glass except
the automobile windshield, steering column and wheel, body weatherstrips,
vinyl tops, brake and gas pedals, carpeting, and front and rear bumper fascias.
Next, robots equipped with suction cups remove the windshield from a shipping
container, apply a bead of urethane sealer to the perimeter of the glass, and then
place it into the body windshield frame. Robots also pick seats and trim panels
and transport them to the vehicle for the ease and efficiency of the assembly
operator. After passing through this section the shell is given a water test to
ensure the proper fit of door panels, glass, and weatherstripping. It is now ready
to mate with the chassis.
Mate
The chassis assembly conveyor and the body shell conveyor meet at this stage
of production. As the chassis passes the body conveyor the shell is robotically
lifted from its conveyor fixtures and placed onto the car frame. Assembly workers,
some at ground level and some in work pits beneath the conveyor, bolt the car
body to the frame. Once the mating takes place the automobile proceeds down
the line to receive final trim components, battery, tires, anti-freeze, and gasoline.
The vehicle can now be started. From here it is driven to a checkpoint off the line,
where its engine is audited, its lights and horn checked, its tires balanced, and its
charging system examined. Any defects discovered at this stage require that the
car be taken to a central repair area, usually located near the end of the line. A
crew of skilled trouble-shooters at this stage analyze and repair all problems.
When the vehicle passes final audit it is given a price label and driven to a
staging lot where it will await shipment to its destination.
Quality Control
All of the components that go into the automobile are produced at other sites.
This means the thousands of component pieces that comprise the car must be
manufactured, tested, packaged, and shipped to the assembly plants, often on
the same day they will be used. This requires no small amount of planning. To
accomplish it, most automobile manufacturers require outside parts vendors to
subject their component parts to rigorous testing and inspection audits similar to
those used by the assembly plants. In this way the assembly plants can
anticipate that the products arriving at their receiving docks are Statistical
Process Control (SPC) approved and free from defects.
Quality hoist
You will need some cash for setting up the building lease, and painting your floor, signwriting etc and
buying or leasing equipment, ( In western countries between $20,00 and $100,00 is the usual cost
range for setting up a small shop to a larger operation with 4 lifts.
You will already have heaps of enthusiasm talent and skills to do the work, and have the patience to
learn about setting up with the right premises machinery and equipment.
Having said that, I started my first workshop out of a leaning ricketty old shed at home that would
hardly hold one car. I know of others that have done the same. Like most things, it depends on how
badly you want it!
The more markets you can cover the better, so having a wide range of profit centres provides better
turnover and more profit safety providing you do not spend more on machinery than you should for
your market size.
Frankly, I always go after providing a wide range of services and free advice to keep them in my
shop rather than having to send them elsewhere to have their air-conditioning recharged, their discs
skimmed, or their wheels aligned etc.
Taking alignment work and then outsourcing it is time consuming, provides only small profit and
takes time to deliver and pick up your customer's car from the alignment centre.
You can now do alignments without a 4 post hoist using up a lot of space. The best of this equipment
is expensive, so I suggest leasing your equipment if you have a good credit history.
Workshop premises.
The building needs to have the following features.
Wide access.
Customer's cars need room to drive in straight then go out straight to get on and off hoists
unless the building is very deep, there will be no room to align the vehicle with the hoist if
access is too narrow.
If space is very limited, you can use rolling jacks that sit under the tire to maneuver the
vehicle by hand. These are quick and easy to use. If your floor is in good condition the vehicle
will roll sideways, back or forward with just a gentle push.
A high roof and solid 6" floor.
to accommodate the latest clear floor hoists you need close to 15' from floor to ceiling..
A 6" concrete steel reinforced floor is required to solidly mount the hoists to.
Enough space and facilities.
considering a 4-6 hoist businesses are the sweet spot for general mechanical repairs and servicing
when you have become comfortable with finding quality mechanics to work for you.
- neat and comfortable for workers and customers. A water fountain is a good idea in both reception
and lunch room.
Natural light.
-A good natural light source is a huge advantage to your mechanics, especially for examining stains
on cylinder blocks left from fluid leaks and other hard to see indicators of underlying faults.
-A tiny split or damage to a hose could, if left unnoticed result in engine or gearbox damage.
Engineered components like wheel bearings, crankshafts etc. where metal surface condition is the
first indicator of part failure. All these important visual signs require good natural light.
-Good lighting is still one of the major factors missed in auto repair shops. I have insisted on good
natural light in all my workshop buildings. The better informed and more experienced mechanics will
insist on natural light.
1. Make sure of the zoning first on any property you consider leasing or buying.
2. Ensure you have correct drainage installed in case of large oil spills.
3. Ensure that you can store volatile chemicals associated with your trade.
4. Ensure you are able to operate all your machinery legally.
5. The electricity supply for much workshop equipment is 400 volt 3 phase, ensure it is
connected and working properly. Often you will find 3 phase wiring with the polarity changed
from plug to plug. This is a darn nuisance and confuses a lot of workshop equipment!
6. Install air hoses overhead. You don't want air hoses running across the floor, in the old days
grease was run this way to. If you are working on older cars with grease points install grease
overhead too.
7. Run an overhead waterline as well if you feel you need it for some special jobs you may do.
Power points should be well above bench level so they do not get knocked, and you need
plenty of them even for a basic workshop.
8. Buy and maintain an emergency spill kit.
9. Fit fire extinguishers to a well constructed plan, ensuring locations will be quick and easy to
reach.
-Ensuring the painted floor surface is skid-proof and smooth to roll equipment on.
- non skid paint. We can get one that can be rolled on or sprayed.
These are high quality hoists on a good floor, and this sort of layout impresses your customer and makes your
mechanics happy and safe as well!
Standard Equipment.
Hoists.
benches.
This type of pipe bender is handy when small fabrication jobs are called for, like making a special exhaust joiner.
Pedestal drill
Air tools
Brake lathe
This type of unit will work on all run-flat and large wheels with ease and speed.
Wheel balancer.
Needs to take up to 22' wheels, and have facilities for all types of weights.
Profit centres.
GENERAL WORKSHOP MACHINERY.
-Tyre changer
Tire changer accessories
Tire lever
-Wheel balancer
Wheel balancer accessories
-Wheel aligners
is part of standard automobile maintenance that consists of adjusting the angles of wheels so that
they are set to the car maker's specification. The purpose of these adjustments is to reduce tire
wear, and to ensure that vehicle travel is straight and true (without "pulling" to one side).
-Engine analyser.
An engine analyzer is a complex, mult-function instrument, sometimes called a scope, that can help
diagnose engine and engine-related problems or assist in tuning following an overhaul. An engine
analyzer can be used with gasoline and diesel powered vehicles.
-Flywheel grinder
Flywheel Grinder is the automotive contingent of the DCM Tech rotary table surface
grinder family.
-dynamometer
-Metal lathe
-Injector cleaner
GENERAL WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT
Hose reel, Bench grinder, Compressor, Grease kit, Oil drainage pump, Oil extractor, Jacks
(Bottle, Vehicle positioning, Axle, Trolley, Racing, Long stroke, Transmission jack
Press, wheel stands, Axle Stands, Ratchet, sockets, Under hoist drainers, Parts washer
Pedestal drill, Pressure washer, Engine crane, Engine Trolley, Engine stand, Vacuum cleaner
Welding equipment, Wheel dolly, Work trolley, Work benches, mechanics work seat, angle grinder,
Creeper, Oil drainer, Vice, Safety Light, Radiator drainer,Filter crusher.
Oscilloscope,Air tools, Impact wrench, Ratchet wrench, air cutter, hand drill, toolbox
SPECIALITY EQUIPMENT
Pipe bender
Injector cleaner
Hub tamer
Tyre spreader
- micrometer
- Dial gauge
- tachometer
Battery
Multi-meter
Test light
Armature growler
AIR CONDITIONING
Leak detector
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Goggles
Ear protection
Fire extinguisher
Spill kit
Signage
Oscillating fan
Lighting design
Other equipment.
To work on modern cars, you need a good scanner and a 5 gas analyser, along with many wiring
harnesses interface cables for the different makes and models connections to the scanner.
None of this equipment is cheap, because quality is paramount . I have sold, repaired and serviced
both cheap and well designed and built ones. The cheapies will save you a grand or so, but you will
regret buying either a scanner or 5 gas analyser cheap!
There is an equipment list added to this if you are doing petroleum/gas conversions, but it is not
usually extensive or expensive.
I have found these Armstrong aimers to be good quality and reasonably priced.
Stand press.
This is a standard workshop press, high enough to push a bearing off an axle.
More equipment.
If you intend to get a licence to test cars for road-worthiness. (This licence has different names in
some countries) You will also need quite a bit more equipment.
Headlight aimer.
Compression tester.
Gas analyser.
Profit centres.
A workshop that can do everything in-house will attract more customers, and if you cannot do a job
because you do not have the necessary equipment or machinery, you need to outsource it.
Never send your customer away, ALWAYS have a solution by using other specialists to do the work
for you, then check it thoroughly when it is finished and then add value.
Buy a high quality brake lathe and learn how to use it. Your equipment supplier should be
able to train you or your mechanic in using the equipment they sell.
Good disc machining is a matter of tooling up carefully and finishing the surfacing with a fine skim
after the cut if needed.
Air-conditioning repairs.
Buy a multi unit that does the whole job.
Wheel alignment.
Equipment is expensive to buy, you need an alignment machine and an alignment hoist like the 4
post listed above. The profit on wheel alignment is not great generally, but it does attract other sales
very well.
LPG conversions.
If you have all the equipment needed such as a 5 gas analyser and a gas fitters licence there is
good money in conversions. Take your time with the re-tuning and calibration.
To learn how I ran my workshops profitably read the next hub How to start an auto repair shop-
workshop business 2
A good used Ammco 4000 will cut discs and drum brakes for many years without trouble.
BRAKES
ENGINE PERFORMANCE
Compression Tester
Cylinder Power Balance Tester
Infrared Thermometer (or appropriate substitute)
Vacuum/Pressure Gauge
8 7/1/2013
ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
ENGINE REPAIR
Antifreeze/Coolant Tester
-Ball joints are spherical bearings that connect the control arms to the steering
knuckles. They are used on virtually every automobile made and work similarly to
the ball-and-socket design of the human.
Brake Pedal Depressor
Chassis Ear
7.4 Chemical Handling
For example, using a vacuum cleaner fitted with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate
Air) filters to clean spilt powders and dusts improves manual handling as there is
less bending, less repetitive forceful movements and less physical effort required
compared to sweeping. Caution needs to be taken to ensure a vacuum cleaner is
not used on chemical spills unless specifically designed to do so.
When identifying, assessing and controlling health and safety risks posed by the
manual handling of chemicals, consultation with affected employees and their HSR
is essential. Everyone has a role to play in workplace health and safety. Healthier
and safer work environments and improved productivity can be more easily
achieved when employers and employees discuss risks and problems and work
together to find solutions. Consultation is required under sections 35 and 36 of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. It must involve the sharing of information,
giving employees the opportunity to express their views, valuing their views and
taking them into account when making decisions. Labour hire employees,
employees of contractors and their supervisors and managers must be included in
any workplace consultation.
The delivery, unloading and storage of chemicals can potentially expose employees
to chemicals and a range of manual handling risks.
When large amounts of chemicals are used, the low risk control solution is bulk
supply, storage and handling of chemicals whenever reasonably practicable. This
eliminates or reduces manual handling and employees being exposed to hazardous
substances during handling. Bulk refers to supply in large quantities and in
containers such as pallet bags or palcons that must be handled mechanically. It
does not mean bulk as defined in the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling)
Regulations 2000. Any proposed changeover to bulk supply and handling of
chemicals must be assessed in consideration of the Dangerous Goods Act,
Regulations and Code of Practice and the Hazardous Substances Regulations.
handling.
Unloading containers and bags from pallets and putting them into storage
exposure to chemicals Reducing the range of chemicals used and having a just-in-
time stock control system reduces the amount of chemicals stored on-site,
simplifies safe handling and use and makes identification of individual chemicals
easier in the workplace. Improving manual handling as described above cuts the
risk of damaging containers and causing spills and leaks. This also reduces
employees exposure to hazardous chemicals, reducing clean ups and waste
disposal.
MANUAL HANDLING
205 litre drums are moved inside the paint kitchen using the overhead tracked
crane. D
Example of low risk solution: Increase the size of the container so it must
be handled with a mechanical aid.
A parts manufacturer has an automated line to paint and coat automotive panel
components. These are piped to the line from vats in a paint kitchen. Containers
were manually filled from 20 litre drums, lifted from a trolley and then poured into
vats. After emptying, the drums were carried from the paint kitchen, stacked on the
ground, and lifted into a waste bin.
Risk Control
Some coatings and paints, such as clear finishes, were used in higher volumes than
others and, as such, were supplied in 205 litre drums. The drums are delivered to
the paint kitchen by forklift and moved inside and put in place using an overhead
crane. The 205 litre drum is directly connected to the paint supply system. Once
empty, the drum is placed outside the kitchen by the crane and then removed by a
forklift.
Benefits
Hazardous manual handling of 20 litre drums of high use coatings has been
completely eliminated. There have also been productivity and financial gains due to
changes in buying in bulk, delivery, storage, transport within the plant and disposal.