Into the development process integrated assembly and test concept for production - A new self-propelled forage harvester family

摘要

An important milestone for the development of the new forage harvester family was the early integration of the assembly- and test concept into the product development process. With a platform concept that realized the different models of the new forage harvester family with only one frame length, a high level of standardization of the assembly and manufacturing process could be reached. Based on that, a reduced complexity and a minimized investment demand for manufacturing equipment was achieved. Additionally, the quality of the tested functions was significantly improved by the fundamentally renewed test concept. In particular the increased demands of the hydraulic oil purity, caused by the new constant pressure hydraulic system could be considered, as well as the assurance of the new four-wheel drive functions.