Honda starts innovative assembly line in Prachin Buri plant
HONDA MOTOR Co has developed the world’s first automobile assembly line that incorporates a flowing cell production system, and launched it in Thailand.
Honda’s so-called Assembly Revolution Cell (ARC) Line was introduced at its new plant in Prachin Buri that became operational last month. The plant is part of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co, the Japanese company’s automobile production and sales subsidiary in Thailand, and is in the Rojana Industrial Park in Prachin Buri province.
The ARC Line is the world’s first automobile assembly line of its type. It was developed by incorporating flowing-cell production units into the main line.
On a conventional assembly line, each worker takes charge of a single process and installs parts to vehicle bodies flowing on a conveyor. In cell production, on the other hand, a single worker takes charge of a broader range of production processes and installs multiple parts.
In ARC Line production, four workers get on board a conveyor unit that carries one vehicle body and a complete set of parts to be installed on it, and they assemble the vehicle while moving along the production line together with the vehicle.
This system reduces any incidental movements by workers – such as selecting the proper parts for the specifications of the next vehicle body coming down the line and installing them while walking along with the vehicle body. These are not considered essential assembly movements but are inevitable in conventional production processes. The ARC Line achieves a significant improvement in production efficiency through the reduction of such process losses.
Moreover, with the ARC Line system, each production worker takes charge of a broader range of processes, which makes it possible for them to gain a broader range of production knowledge and skills. This is expected to have a positive effect on the development of proficient workers who will be capable of providing feedback from the production team to the development team in the future.
Honda says it will continue its efforts to increase the efficiency of production processes for the purpose of delivering attractive and high-quality products to its customers in a timely manner and at reasonable prices.
