FOCUS ON DIGITALISATION
“ With its MO360 digital production ecosystem , Mercedes-Benz can produce electric , hybrid and combustion models on one factory line to scale the production of electric vehicles in accordance with market demand .”
‘ Digital First ’ production for next-generation MMA platform .
‘ DIGITAL FIRST ’ PRODUCTION
Mercedes-Benz is employing a ‘ digital-first ’ approach to enhance efficiency , avoid defects and save time in its automotive production .
Mercedes-Benz is using the digital twin concept to plan , retool and ramp-up production of its new MMA platform at its factories in Rastatt ( Germany ), Kecskemét ( Hungary ) and Beijing ( China ).
“ This ‘ Digital First ’ approach is designed to enhance efficiency , avoid defects and save time , marking a step-change in the flexibility , resilience and intelligence of our MO360 production system ,” the manufacturer explained . “ We are initiating a new era of automotive manufacturing thanks to the integration of Artificial Intelligence , MB . OS and the digital twin based on NVIDIA Omniverse into the MO360 ecosystem . With our new ‘ Digital First ’ approach , we unlock efficiency potential even before the launch of our MMA models in our global production network and can accelerate the ramp-up significantly .”
Digital production ecosystem
The introduction of Mercedes Modular Architecture ( MMA ), which was showcased at the Munich IAA MOBILITY in September in the Concept CLA Class , marks the next step in making the MO360 digital production ecosystem more intelligent . The company uses this flexible production system to network around 30 Mercedes-Benz plants worldwide using real-time data . With MO360 , Mercedes-Benz can produce electric , hybrid and combustion models on one factory line to scale the production of electric vehicles in accordance with market demand .
The Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt , Germany , showcases digital twin technology for introducing next-generation vehicles in a way which results in only minimal interruption of assembly in existing halls . With the ‘ Digital First ’ approach , Mercedes-Benz ensures that the new production line for new models on the MMA platform in the existing Rastatt plant can be modified , configured and optimised using high-precision digital simulation techniques .
The exact position of machines , supply routes and production lines can be determined and simulated in advance without interrupting the production of the current compact A- and B-Class , GLA and EQA cars . Production can also be ramped up significantly faster when compared to a conventional planning process . Mercedes-Benz is investing a low triple-digit million euros sum to prepare the Rastatt plant for new next-generation models . The virtual ramp-up in Rastatt will serve as a blueprint for the global production network which includes the cooperation plant in Beijing .
62 | ismr . net | ISMR November 2023