Automation Potential in Welding Production – Concept Development at Humbaur
Initial Situation & Challenge
Humbaur, one of the leading manufacturers of trailers and vehicle bodies, is pursuing a future-oriented development of its production processes. The focus was on the question of how welding production – a central part of manufacturing – could be automated and made more efficient.
It was not only about analyzing the welding processes themselves but also about considering upstream steps such as component manufacturing and their impact on downstream areas like assembly and logistics in a holistic way.
A particular challenge was identifying constructive improvements in assemblies for automation potential while at the same time meeting existing product requirements.
Our Solution
As part of a comprehensive concept development and planning project, we worked closely with the Humbaur team:
- In joint workshops, we analyzed assemblies regarding their automation potential and identified optimization opportunities in the design.
- Through targeted prototype testing, we were able to validate the practicality of possible automation solutions.
- We also examined the entire production flow – from component manufacturing through welding processes to final assembly – as well as the accompanying logistics, to develop a fully coordinated production strategy.
Results & Customer Benefits
The project provided a solid decision-making basis for future investments in automated welding technologies. By involving all relevant process steps early, not only technical but also logistical and economic aspects were considered.
Today, Humbaur benefits from a clear roadmap for the gradual implementation of automation – including specific recommendations for action regarding assembly optimizations, layout adjustments, and technology-based production processes.
The developed solution strengthens the company’s competitiveness and represents an important step toward a modern, scalable production landscape.
Client
Humbaur Gmbh
Areas
