With eight global locations Fori Automation, Inc. is no stranger to meeting customer needs on an international level. A great example of this is shown through our Fori Korea team. In 2021, Fori Korea supplied a stable AGV system to an automotive manufacturer located in Andizon, Uzbekistan.
Fori Korea successfully installed a Body to Chassis Marriage system or BCM AGV system, as we like to call it, for an automotive manufacturer that made a major facility investment after converting another Uzbekistan automotive plant to a state-owned company. Fori Korea's BCM AGV System was selected because of our longstanding experience with body to chassis marriage systems. Fori Korea stabilized the facility in a short period of time and started mass production in September 2021.
The results consisted of four processes of sub-line and four processes of marriage line. The sub process is a go and stop method, and the marriage process is composed of a reflector and a smart camera, so that the vehicle body and AGV are synchronized to execute marriage. Annual production for line one is 180,000 units and line two is 150,000 units. Fori is a global leader in automotive chassis marriage systems and turnkey integration. Contact us to learn more about our offerings or head over to our website.
Fori Korea recently signed a contract to supply a Chassis Marriage System for a customer located in Jurong, Singapore.
Fori Korea is preparing to install the CMS system at in 2022.
The CMS equipment installation included (2) lifts, (1) auto tightening system, (4) auto marriage devices, (4) body holding devices, (4) hanger centering devices, (3) silent chain conveyors and (6) pallets.
The supplied equipment was designed for (2) vehicle models, the Ioniq 5 and GV60. The Ioniq 5 and GV60 are an electric compact SUV.
The Fori Korea chassis marriage equipment will be beginning the production vehicles during the 4th quarter of 2022.
Fori China recently designed, built and integrated a super pallet and associated modifications for a final assembly line for a customer at their plant in China.
Fori China was responsible for designing, building and integrating (4) different final assembly line retrofits to accommodate an additional (3) vehicle platforms on an existing assembly line.
In order to support the super pallet modifications and the additional vehicle platforms, there were (4) different line modifications required for the equipment. The final assembly line retrofits included:
• Super pallet modifications for new vehicle powertrain
• Addition of new load bar for different powertrain
• Updated tooling for hub tightening
• Robotic auto-tightening for battery package
The most unique portion of the modification project was the integration of an auto-tightening station for the battery electric vehicle (BEV) battery. The auto-tightening was completed with (4) fastening robots.
Fori China recently designed, built and integrated a Chassis Marriage system for a customer in Germany.
Fori China was responsible for supplying the Rail Guided Vehicles (RGVs), associated track, overhead loader and PLC control system that controls the loop.
The Chassis Marriage RGVs are based on Fori’s long standing mechanical design and controls architecture. Each RGV includes (2) Fori patented servo controlled chain lifts for the synchronized lift and locate of the front and rear pallet. Each Fori chain lift includes a floating table for alignment to the vehicle chassis that is transferred via overhead rail system.
The RGV is focused on maintainability and simplicity for the end user. The system utilizes a variety of off the shelf components and Fori standard product. The RGVs have been a robust solution for many years, pushing Fori to become a global leader in Chassis Marriage systems.
Fori also offers induction based rail guided vehicles and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for chassis marriage that utilize a combination of induction and battery power.
The battery powered chassis marriage AGV with dual independent lifters is capable of lifting and transporting up to 4,000 pounds (1,818 kilograms) in order to install the front and rear suspension and drivetrain modules.
This AGV was developed to support the end users lean, automated, manufacturing methodology. Not only will the AGV enable the end user to reduce their hardware investment, there will be significant flexibility in the assembly process. The guidance system and reduced plant infrastructure allows the AGV to easily interact with other systems and processes. The AGV is also outfitted with multiple safety measures that ensure collision avoidance.
The chassis marriage AGV is responsible for accurate and repeatable location of a part within the station for a reliable chassis marriage process. The AGV will provide increased flexibility, safety, and decreased product damage, thus increasing profitability within the manufacturing process for the end user.
Fori China designed, built and integrated a chassis marriage system for a automotive manufacturer located in Slovenia.
Features:
Jobs Per Hour: 45 jobs
Results: Increased production rate, reduced labor, decreased injury concerns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=29&v=3_u1UGkP928
The marriage line is a sub-set of the trim and chassis final assembly system that delivers the completed front and rear modules to the marriage line after being assembled. The overall project is based on the green field sit to provide the delivery conveyance of the completed sub-assembly from the tunnels to the marriage line automatically where the complete chassis assembly will be automatically married and secured to the car chassis.
The body carrier and frame are powered into the stations via asynchronous conveyors. The spindles index and begin securing the front module, differential cradle, and rear module. All 14 fasteners must be torqued at the same time. There will be three wheel base variations that have a common front module and center cradle positions.
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An inspection station was supplied with the system. The station will provide positive verification that the details match the corresponding configuration of the vehicle sequencing through the assembly process. The vision inspection is completed at a stop station.
The marriage station includes an electro-mechanical hook style body clamping device for models that require holding the body during the marriage process. An external actuator in the station is used to clamp the body to the pallet. Once married the overhead carrier drive is disengaged allowing the pallet conveyor to the move pallet/carrier assembly down the line. Future non-related products may be introduced by either pallet redesign or through additional pallets and a future pallet storage system.
For more information about Fori Automation's body and chassis marriage systems, please visit our website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPEvwHyMXD0
Fori Korea was contracted to replace an existing Chassis Marriage system. The system consisted of 14 Chassis Marriage carts, two chain lifts, and associated tooling plates to accommodate the three different vehicles assembled within the process. The system was built to meet a production capacity of 60 jobs per hour.
The Chassis Marriage cart was unique due to the ability to move the wheel base for the front and rear pallet separately in order to accommodate the vehicle variations. Doing so allowed the Chassis Marriage system to meet the various engine decking points within the limited hanger pitch.
The chassis marriage RGV system consisted of a single traffic control panel for the 14 vehicles. The main control panel ensured proper vehicle pitch and synchronization through the chassis marriage process.
In order to ensure a smooth installation and buyoff at the customer facility, the entire chassis marriage was setup, debugged and bought off on Fori Korea’s floor.
For more information about Fori Automation's chassis marriage capabilities, please visit our website.
Controls: Rockwell open architecture, vehicle management system (VMS)
Keys to Success: Vehicle synchronization, custom designed chassis, high capacity lifts
Results: Improved flexibility, decreased infrastructure, elimination of batteries and chargers
Chassis marriage has traditionally been completed with a Rail Guided Vehicle (RGV) and in floor track. The system has been a longstanding robust and reliable solution; however some customers require additional flexibility to support their process.
The chassis marriage AGV looks to improve on the RGV technique by utilizing induction power. Using induction provides a limitless power source and magnetic guidance which is a proven guidance technique for AGVs providing a high level of reliability and accuracy.
One of the main design considerations for the chassis marriage AGV development was flexibility and infrastructure reduction. Utilization of an in floor induction wire and magnetic bar will decrease the cost and time associated with the installation of Chassis Marriage systems. The ease of layout changes supports the added flexibility requested by the end users of these systems.
In floor induction wire.
A Vehicle Management System (VMS) is supplied with the vehicles to manage communication with the overhead conveyor, synchronization of vehicles and system diagnostics required by the end user. This inductive chassis marriage AGV can be designed to use the proven and reliable patented Fori electric chain lift or other suitable lift devices.
For more information about Fori's AGVs or Chassis Marriage systems, please visit our website.
Fori has traditionally supplied Rail Guided Vehicles (RGVs) for automotive Chassis Marriage, but over the past five years Fori has leveraged its AGV experience to transfer existing automated vehicle technologies to its Chassis Marriage systems. The automated vehicle technology provides a Chassis Marriage system that decreases the required plant infrastructure. Whereas the traditional RGV based system requires an in floor track and power transfer system. The AGV system removes this requirement by utilizing an on board, battery based power supply and magnetic tape or bar guidance for vehicle tracking and positioning. Overall these improvements decrease facility work and associated cost, and allow for decreased installation times and provide long term flexibility for changing production needs.
The battery powered Chassis Marriage AGV includes dual independent Fori patented chain lifts capable of lifting and transporting 4,000 pounds in order to install the front and rear suspension and drive train modules to the vehicle Chassis. The battery based Chassis Marriage AGV was developed to support the end users lean automated manufacturing methodology, decreasing the total in plant infrastructure required for the system. Not only will the AGV enable the end user to reduce their plant hardware investment, there will be significant long term flexibility in the assembly process. The guidance system of the AGV and reduced plant infrastructure allow the AGV to easily interact with other systems and processes.
The AGV is outfitted with multiple safety measures that ensure collision avoidance. Safety scanners are included on the front and rear of the vehicle that will slow down and stop the vehicle as objects enter the scanning field. The Chassis Marriage AGV also includes indicator lights in each corner, (4) e-stops, safety pressure bumpers on the perimeter of the AGV and an on board HMI for vehicle status and diagnostics.
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) for Chassis Marriage utilizing Magnetic Tape Guidance
The Chassis Marriage AGV is responsible for accurate and repeatable location of product in station for a reliable chassis marriage process. The AGV will provide increased flexibility, safety and decreased product damage, thus increasing profitability within the project for the end user.
For more information on Fori's Chassis Marriage AGVs, please visit our website.
Fori China recently designed, built and integrated a Chassis Marriage system for a Germany Plant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPEvwHyMXD0
Features:
80 jobs per hour (JPH)
Increased production rate
Reduced labor
Decreased injury concerns
Fori China was responsible for supplying the Chassis Marriage Rail Guided Vehicles (RGVs), associated track, overhead loader and PLC control system that controls the loop.
The Chassis Marriage RGVs are based on Fori’s long standing design and architecture. Each RGV includes two Fori patented servo controlled chain lifts for the synchronized lift and locate of the front and rear pallet.
The Fori RGV is focused on maintainability and simplicity for the end user. The system has been a robust solution for many years, pushing Fori to become a leader in Chassis Marriage systems.
The integrated system was a great success for the end user. Installation was completed during the 3rd quarter of 2017, with initial production beginning in August of 2017.
For more information about Fori Automation's body and chassis marriage products, please visit our website.
Fori recently supplied a custom designed Chassis Marriage Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) for an electric vehicle manufacturer.
Over the past twenty years, Fori automation has been a leader in Automotive Chassis Marriage. Chassis Marriage, the process of bringing the car body and chassis together, has been primarily completed with the use of Rail Guided Vehicles (RGVs).
The Chassis Marriage process is completed utilizing integrated lifts and custom tooling pallets to support various chassis depending on the model of vehicle being manufactured. The Chassis Marriage process is completed once the operator does a final torque of fasteners, bringing the car body and chassis together.
Fori Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) provide increased flexibility and reduced infrastructure versus traditional Chassis Marriage methods.
The utilization of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for Chassis Marriage has increased flexibility for the end user by removing the monuments that are required on RGV based Chassis Marriage systems. The Chassis Marriage AGVs utilize a number of different power sources and guidance methods. Power sources include both lead acid and lithium ion batteries, induction and some cases a combination of both battery and induction power. Guidance can be completed in a number of ways, the guidance systems utilized most frequently are magnetic guidance, induction or optical.
Each Chassis Marriage AGV includes (2) integrated Fori electric lifts that are used for raising the drive train of the vehicle to the body. Each lift is capable of lifting up 2,500 kg. and upon request can reach lift strokes of up to 52" depending on the project requirements.
Utilization of AGVs within Chassis Marriage has resulted in increased system flexibility, decreased plant infrastructure for the end user and has provided a scalable solution allowing for addition of vehicles based on expected production rates.
For more information on Fori Chassis Marriage AGVs, please visit our website.
he equipment. The final assembly line retrofits included:
• Super pallet modifications for new vehicle powertrain
• Addition of new load bar for different powertrain
• Updated tooling for hub tightening
• Robotic auto-tightening for battery package
The most unique portion of the modification project was the integration of an auto-tightening station for the battery electric vehicle (BEV) battery. The auto-tightening was completed with (4) fastening robots.
The chassis marriage RGV system consisted of a single traffic control panel for the 14 vehicles. The main control panel ensured proper vehicle pitch and synchronization through the chassis marriage process.
In order to ensure a smooth installation and buyoff at the customer facility, the entire chassis marriage was setup, debugged and bought off on Fori Korea’s floor.
For more information about Fori Automation's chassis marriage capabilities, please visit our 
For more information about Fori's AGVs or 
The Chassis Marriage RGVs are based on Fori’s long standing design and architecture. Each RGV includes two Fori patented servo controlled chain lifts for the synchronized lift and locate of the front and rear pallet.
The Fori RGV is focused on maintainability and simplicity for the end user. The system has been a robust solution for many years, pushing Fori to become a leader in Chassis Marriage systems.
The integrated system was a great success for the end user. Installation was completed during the 3rd quarter of 2017, with initial production beginning in August of 2017.
For more information about Fori Automation's body and chassis marriage products, please visit 