Vehicles

Assembly

History

Year
Vehicles
Tools
Equipment
Production method
1944
 
Impact wrench
 
 
1954
 
 
Parts supply trolley conveyor
 
1956
 
Multi-axis nut runner
 
 
1958
 
 
Fixed quantity oil supply device
 
1963
 
 
 
Inter-writer
1966
 
 
 
Assembly line control method
1968
 
 
 
Bill instruction method
1969
 
 
 
Line andon
1970
Formed headlining
 
Automatic tightening of front suspension
 
1971
 
 
 
Lines made to stop at fixed positions
1974
Washer integrated bolt and nut
 
 
 
1975
Activities to reduce part variety
 
 
 
1976
 
Angled nut runner
 
 
1978
 
 
Automatic installation of spare tires
Slat conveyor with up/down attachment
1979
 
 
Nameplate automatic stamping
 
1980
 
Tightening torque monitor
AGVs
 
1981
 
 
Glass urethane application robot
Tilt hanger
Door-less process
1983
 
DC nut runner
 
 
1984
Easy-assembly vehicle structure promoted
 
Glass rotation-type urethane application robot
 
Automatic glass sequencing equipment
Driveshaft automatic-tightening equipment
1987
 
 
Automatic transfer and installation equipment for instrument panel sub-line
On-line operation drawing
Air suspension helium leak tester
Lifting shuttle (for work posture improvement)
Spare-tire installation by robot tracking function
1988
 
Low-noise tools
Vacuum filling of brake fluid
 
1989
Lexus startup
 
Assembly automation development (by combined promotion of module-structure development and facility development)
 
1990
 
 
 
T-VAL development commenced
1991
Activities for improved quality at vehicle production startup
 
Automated line (No. 4 Assembly Line at Tahara Plant)
 
I-PSA assembly equipment (for tires and engines)
1992
Assembly production preparation operation program (OP)
 
 
New assembly line (at Toyota Motor Kyushu, focusing on complete processes based on co-existence of automation and operators)
1993
 
 
New coupler for air conditioner refrigerant filling
Hood-less process (at Tahara Plant)
New production instruction system
COMPASS developed
1994
Recycle technology developed
 
Low-thrust facility developed
 
Assembly shop safety-design study group established
1995
Glass integrated extrusion molding (CSE)
 
Line unification reform (at Motomachi and Tahara Plants)
 
1996
New instrument panel module developed
 
Vacuum filling of brake fluid fully deployed
Aging Work Development 6 activities commenced (AWD-6)
Activities to reduce part variety
V-Comm developed
Production preparation lead time shortened (with only one prototype, one pilot production run)
1997
New-CAL line (for Prius)
 
Simple and Slim activities applied to facilities
Open engine compartment (with detachable radiator support)
1998
Activities to reduce screw variety
 
 
 
1999
Activities to commonize platforms
 
Oil injection assurance system
Activities for ergonomics and pushing force reduction
Production die application study for pilot production
Integrated installation of front suspension and engine
2000
Vehicle SE, ultra-short-term production preparation, digital assembly (DA) of all processes
 
 
 
Committee for next-generation sub-assembly (module design) established
2001
 
 
 
TMMF begins operations (featuring logistics-considerate T-shape line)
Bench-marking activities
Skill-assist approach used in actual production (at Tsutsumi Plant)
2002
Activity (establishment of parts standardization committee) to reduce part variety
 
3D design of facilities
SPS (Set Parts System) trial (at Tsutsumi Plant)
Full-module instrument panel with integrated air conditioner
Instrument panel wire harness checker
2003
 
 
Digital Factory activities
SPS fully deployed (for Tsutsumi Plant renovation)
Mouse-type AGV (for instrument panel preparation line)
2004
 
 
New vehicle inspection system developed
Integrated installation of cooling module and engine
2005
Vehicle tightening structure standardization
 
 
Functionally complete trim line concept
2006
Activity for Lexus quality conducted (scratch inspection system established)
Activity for Lexus quality conducted (electric nut runner)
Assembly shop-axis activities
TMMTX begins operations (featuring logistics-considerate h-shape line)
CFRP body technology developed
2007
Support activities for global parts suppliers
Tools that do not require air
Equipment that does not require air
Takaoka No. 1 Assembly Line renovation (focusing on co-existence of automation and operators)
2008
FCHV line startup
 
Activities for "assembly cost 1/2" (line-shortening and reduction of part variety)
"Iki-iki" Committee activities
2009
 
Electric oil-pulse wrench developed
Compact plant activities
 
2010
LFA workshop to produce small-volume luxury-model
 
Efforts for the co-existence of robots and operators (at Takaoka Plant)
 
2011
Adhesive-fixed panorama roofs
High-speed and low-burden nut runner
Variable model/variable volume assembly line that can be changed over within a weekend
Related parts moved closer to assembly line (space-saving of parts storage)
PHV line-off

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