For more than 40 years, Comau and Ford Motor Company have worked together, leveraging innovation and technology to maximize manufacturing efficiency and apply global standards through the adoption of manufacturing engineering and production automation solutions. As a result, Ford has been able to reduce the energy needed to produce a vehicle, increase the safety for people building the vehicle and improve the flexibility of plants and processes. 

“It’s an honor to be able to showcase how our technology is supporting Ford and to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ford’s moving assembly line, an innovation that has withstood the test of time,” says Maurizio Cremonini, Comau’s V.P. of Global Marketing. “As Ford’s NAIAS display makes clear, the future of manufacturing is upon us, where innovative technology, industrial integration and resource efficiency are increasing productivity and flexibility while reducing time-to-market.” 

Ford’s exhibit at the NAIAS features four vehicle bodies representing different levels of the assembly process. Two elevator stations bring the four vehicle bodies down to the show floor level for public viewing. Comau has provided a complete assembly system featuring advanced manufacturing process automation technology including the ComauFlex VersaPallet system, a BIW manufacturing system with integrated in-line fast transfer, six Comau robots and a comprehensive energy monitoring system. 

The Comau-Ford partnership extends across the entire lifecycle of the product: 

· Ford deploys Comau technology globally to support and execute BIW manufacturing, powertrain systems, laser applications and more. 

· Ford uses the ComauFlex system to optimize its assembly process and resource use. 

· ComauFlex enables Ford to enhance production capabilities, reduce work-in-process, improve material logistics, save energy and minimize the floor space required for BIW manufacturing. 

· ComauFlex supports high-speed transfers, high density welding, flexible parts handling, flexible logistics, complete model flexibility and random build sequence manufacturing (up to four unique models). 

· Comau’s plasma transferred wire arc (PTWA) thermal spraying technology is used for the production of advanced steel-coated aluminum engine blocks. 

· The longstanding relationship between Comau and Ford is built upon precision, performance and trust. 

This year marks a special anniversary for Comau, as COnsorsio MAcchine Utensili was founded in 1973 upon the shared principles of innovation and excellence. The company is proud to have celebrated this important milestone within the context of one of the largest and most historic motor shows in the world together with Ford Motor Company, a longstanding innovator in automotive manufacturing.