Robotic arms work at a car assembly manufacturing plant in Beijing. (Photo : Getty Images)
A manufacturer in China has revamped its traditional production line by installing more than 200 robotic devices in one of its factories, making it one of the most advanced machine assembly lines in the world.
China Daily reported that Midea Group, a major home appliance maker based in Guangzhou, has reduced its human labor force and introduced intelligent production line in its factory in Wuhan last year.
"We have made intelligent production a strategic goal of the group," Yang Hao, general manager of the company's Wuhan factory, said.
From 160, there are now 51 employees working along at the production line. The rate and quality of products free of defects also rose from 97 percent to 99 percent.
"The biggest advantage of intelligent manufacturing is its accuracy," Yang said. "Humans make mistakes because they can get tired. But a machine does not doze off."
The Wuhan factory is Midea's biggest manufacturing base and the number of workers in the factory has been reduced from 11,000 in 2011 with monthly production capacity of 500,000 units to 4,300 with monthly production capacity of 630,000 units in 2015.
This shows that while the number of workers has been reduced by 39 percent, production capacity increased by 26 percent during that period.
In addition, the cost of intelligent production line is 22 percent lower than the conventional production line, the company said.
Yang said that the company hopes to convert all its factories into intelligent ones as it plans to invest 4 billion yuan to 5 billion yuan ($582 million to $728 million) in the next four to five years.
"We need to take a very prudent approach. First build a demonstrative production line, then a workshop and eventually a factory," Yang added.
This year, the company expects 30 percent of its total output to be contributed by air conditioners made on intelligent production line. It plans to increase the number to 50 prercent in 2017 and to more than 70 percent in the coming years.
The company is also striving to increase the percentage of local equipment used in its intelligent production lines.
"Imported equipment has high stability and accuracy but is five to 10 times more expensive than locally manufactured equipment," Yang said.
"We need to work with our local suppliers to help them develop equipment that can compete with those from other countries," he remarked.
