Fori Automation Blog

Fori Automation de Mexico Tour & Company Overview


Fori Automation de Mexico facility was completed in 2019 and offers more than 90,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space. 

The new facility was built to support the continued growth of Fori Automation de Mexico. Fori Mexico has been an intricate part of the continued growth of Fori Automation globally. The new facility will enable Fori Mexico to take on larger projects and support our domestic and global customer base. Below is an interactive tour and company overview for Fori Automation de Mexico. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JscRbXVu7L8

Fori Mexico currently has over 50 employees and a plan is in place to hire over 20 more within the next three years. Pictures of the new facility and start of the project can be found below. The new facility is located in Coahuila, Mexico.

Fori Mexico
Fori Automation de Mexico Headquarters
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Robotic Welding System for Automotive Frame Assembly

Fori Automation is a global designer and builder of Material Handling, Assembly, Testing and Welding Systems. For more information on Fori Automation's products and locations, please visit our website.

AGV System for Robotic Weld Line


Fori Automation recently supplied a number of powered drive wheel systems for an automotive Tier 1 supplier. The drive wheels were integrated into a customer supplied tooling cart providing automated movement of product through the automotive assembly process.

Automotive Assembly with Powered Drive Wheel System on Assembly Cart

The Fori powered drive wheel systems include modular drive wheel units that are mounted to new or existing assembly carts. Once mounted the drive wheels automate the transfer of materials through the manufacturing facility. The drive wheel systems provide the same capability as an off the shelf Automated Guided Carts (AGCs). The powered drive wheel systems can be manually moved by the operator or can be supplied with an integrated vehicle management system (VMS) or traffic control to automatically control movement from station to station.

The key benefits of a powered drive wheel system include:

  • Reduced reliance on fork lifts or manned Tuggers.
  • Improve ergonomics, reduction in injuries in relation to pushing or pulling assembly or kit carts.
  • Repeatable, reliable delivery of goods and consistent line pulse for assembly operations.
  • Ability to integrate into manufacturing execution system (MES) for data analysis and production streamlining.
  • Safe transfer of goods through the use of onboard Safety PLC and associated safety devices.
  • Accurate positioning of carts and goods, standard station positioning is +/- 10 mm when utilizing a Fori provided vehicle management system (VMS).

Drive wheel systems include their own self-contained power supply, control panel, collision avoidance devices, guidance hardware and tethered (or wireless) pendant for manual control. Power supplies include sealed lead acid batteries and lithium ion product offerings. The controls architecture is safety PLC based and available in Siemens or Rockwell. Guidance or navigation options available include optical, magnetic or natural feature utilizing the onboard safety scanners.

Powered Drive Wheel System with Safety Scanner, Alarm & Lights, E-Stops & HMI

Total carrying capacity of the powered drive wheel systems is accommodated by a variety of standard drive wheel sizes. Capacities can be increased by up-sizing the drive wheel and motor combination or adding more of the smaller drive wheel units. Drive wheel systems can also be configured to allow for different levels of maneuverability. The maneuverability ranges from uni-directional, loop based systems, up to omni-directional systems for complex material handling or assembly systems with the integration of two or more drive wheels.

The drive wheel systems are structured for current or future automation with the ability to retrofit the assembly cart later in the production cycle. The assembly cart can be designed to accommodate mounting of the drive wheels and required equipment at a later date. For existing carts, our design team will work with the production team to define the required changes for addition of the powered drive wheel system. The ability to add automation as production increases, decreases the initial capital expenditures, allowing production rates to increase before adding the automation required for automated or manual transport through the assembly process.

Powered Drive Wheel System with Single Powered Drive Wheel & Support Casters for Assembly Cart & Product Transport through Automotive Assembly Process

Overall the powered drive wheel system provides a flexible, safe and reliable material handling and assembly solution for the a wide range of industries and processes.

To learn more about Fori's available products please visit our website or contact us at sales@foriauto.com.