Robots carry the load at Scania

Outlines how Scania is planning to automate its truck axle production lines at its Falun plant in Sweden. The automation package includes 40 PCs, 26 robots and 15 AGVs. The PCs are linked up to an Ethernet LAN which connects to the factory management system. IBM’s Plantworks software co‐ordinates the entire operation. Describes how the robots were chosen and how they will operate on the production line. The new plant will begin operating in August 1996 and will be required to function with a utilization rate of 90–94 per cent.