Autoliv Hammarverken, Sweden has been a supplier to the automotive industry for more than 50 years, becoming a sub-contractor to Volvo in 1948. Seat structures have been produced for more than 40 years and today they are being delivered to different automotive manufacturers with an annual capacity of 720 000 units. 

“We manufacture seat sub structures to all the Volvo models, says Johnny Sandström, Hammarverken’s production engineer for both FlexLink lines. The seat guide rail is our volume product that is welded and riveted during assembly. The complete seat frame is made here and defects are not allowed.

The Volvo S/V 40 project
The turnkey supplier is Wermtech and FlexLink has supplied conveyors, elevators and frames as well as layout support. “We started the project in September 1998 with intended installation during the spring. Since we were the only company that could manage this short lead time, we got the order for all Volvo S/V 40 models.” 

Two lines built with different layout concepts
Line 1 has a compact floor space, as it contains just one complex station demanding accessibility. It has a straight-line layout with a low-level pallet return running under the assembly line. Line 2 is a circular line due to many complex stations demanding accessibility. After the pick and place unit removes the finished product from the pallet, the return pallet flow goes directly to Station 1 again. Only three operators will service both lines.

Improved working environment
“We have worked a lot with robots and have learnt where they are needed or not. There is a better working environment without robots”, says Johnny Sandström. “We aim to distinguish the need for automation in great detail. Pick and place units are often quite sufficient instead of robots and provide improved accessibility. We are trying to utilize the floor as much as possible and place the material inside the line. “We now know that many complex stations in a line demands accessibility and a free floor space. A semi automated line is the ideal and most profitable solution.”