Automotive refers to self propelled vehicles. Automotive components are the components used in automobiles and vehicles like cars, trucks and tractors. The performance and potential of the automotive components is determined largely by the structure, developments and material uses in the automotive components. Various sub-sectors of the Automobile component industry in India are engine parts, drive transmission & steering parts, body and chassis, suspension and braking parts, equipment, electrical parts and others such as fan belts, die-casting and sheet metal parts.
The automotive components sector has followed the automotive industry in the use of robots. They have embraced robotic technology as a means to achieving the quality and flexibility required by their customers, the automotive OEMs. The applications across the sector are more varied due to the range of different parts being produced. In most cases, the robot cells tend to be standalone rather than elements of a large automation system, because of the smaller number of operations required to produce a completed assembly. The applications generally fall into a number of categories: plastics, metal working, electrics and electronics, and assembly.
There are many plastic parts required for a vehicle, including both interior parts, such as dash panels and trim, and exterior parts, such as bumpers, door handles, and spoilers. The robot applications used to produce these parts include injection mould machine unloading, routing, water jet cutting, assembly (including bonding and welding) and painting.
The metal working applications include the production of subassemblies for the vehicle body, as well as other large items such as the exhaust system. In terms of subassemblies for the car body, such as suspension mountings, the applications include press loading and unloading applications, as well as spot and arc welding. Arc welding is the main application of robots in exhaust system manufacturing, during which the machines assemble various parts of the exhaust system, such as pipes, flanges, mounting brackets, silencer boxes, and catalytic converters. It is worth noting the majority of arc welding for automotive parts is performed by the component suppliers rather than in the main car plants.
There are many mechanical parts that ultimately become part of the powertrain. Applications here include machine tool loading and unloading, grinding, deburring and other metal finishing applications. Similarly, the lights, air conditioning units, electrics, and other subassemblies within a car are assembled and tested using a variety of robot applications.
