nexAMo

Initial Situation

The automotive and supplier industry faces growing demands: more product variants, smaller batch sizes, and shorter development cycles. Conventional, rigidly structured production lines are too inflexible and costly for small-series manufacturing. New, highly adaptive production concepts are needed.

Solution Approach

The consortium develops a free-chained matrix production system in which modular manufacturing cells are flexibly combined and automatically connected via AGVs and cobots. FIR e. V. an der RWTH Aachen (FIR) contributes the digital foundation: a modular IT system landscape with standardized interfaces and a Unified Namespace connecting all machines, logistics modules, and IT systems. A demonstrator line at FIR ensures long-term accessibility of the results.

Expected Result

A functional matrix production line at ZF Friedrichshafen AG in Friedrichshafen, alongside a transferable IT system architecture demonstrating how additive manufacturing, automated intralogistics, and digital planning interact in a modern production environment.

Benefits for the Target Group

Automotive suppliers and manufacturers gain a transferable blueprint for more flexible, resilient production that remains economically viable even at fluctuating demand and small batch sizes.