Full Speed Ahead

new AGV Final Assembly Line for Tractors

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At its St. Valentin site, CNH produces tractors of the Steyr, Case and New Holland brands with around 300 employees. Known for its innovative strength and the use of state-of-the-art technologies, the production site has been setting standards in the agricultural technology sector for years. To live up to this pioneering role in the future, the existing tractor final assembly line was modernized with future-oriented conveyor technology from ROFA.

Challenge accepted

The existing system, which was already supplied by ROFA in 2003, reached its limits with the introduction of new tractor models. The new models exceeded the payload capacity of the previous automated guided vehicle system and required additional assembly cycles. An expansion was unavoidable, but several challenges had to be overcome - the heavier loads required an innovative solution, while the AGV size had to remain unchanged due to the limited installation space. At the same time, it was necessary to precisely adhere to the tight schedule in order to ensure the smooth running of the project.

Innovative solution

ROFA developed an innovative automated guided vehicle system with inductive power transmission that meets the new requirements. The system has been expanded with a new line section which was seamlessly integrated into the existing line. Equipped with the latest technology, such as efficient inductive technology, secure communication systems and intelligent parameter control, the new AGVs allow the assembly team almost unlimited freedom of movement. At the same time, they ensure precise positioning and automatically adjust parameters such as speed, distance and acceleration.

Project schedule

The project was implemented within an impressive timeline. After the order was placed in June 2023, the AGVs were constructively completed as early as October 2023. The first sample was approved on site in Austria in February 2024. The construction of the line extension started in June 2024, followed by the successive delivery of the new autonomous vehicles from July to October 2024. A special challenge was the replacement of the existing hydraulic lifting tables during ongoing production. The old lifting tables had to be dismantled while the installed technology continued to operate. The new lifting tables were then converted to the new technology in December 2024.

Successful cooperation

In January 2025, the new final assembly line was successfully put into operation - the result of a cooperative and solution-oriented collaboration between CNH and ROFA INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AG. From the design to the commissioning, ROFA once again proved its competence to master even the most demanding challenges with individually tailored solutions. The AGVs were manufactured at the ROFA China site, underscoring how efficiently the companies of the SPIE Automation Solutions GmbH also work together worldwide. The close integration between the teams proves that international cooperation and local know-how can form a perfect symbiosis.

Satisfied customer

CNH St. Valentin is extremely satisfied with the new system and the smooth implementation of the project. The new final assembly line makes a significant contribution to increasing the efficiency and flexibility of production and further strengthening CNH's market position as a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery. We are particularly proud that our work was personally acknowledged by the customer at the festive project closing event in March 2025. This award is not only a sign of appreciation for the achievements of our team, but also proof of the trusting and extraordinary cooperation with the team from CNH.