Audi Deploy Optical Inspection at Advanced Plant
The Münchsmünster production site close to Ingolstadt, Germany has been an important part of the main AUDI AG site since fall 2013: This facility, extending over an area of 54 hectares, makes form-hardened sheet steel elements and diecast aluminum components for lightweight construction using innovative production methods – combining low weight with strength and maximum precision. Key components for models of the Audi, VW, Bentley and Lamborghini brands have been manufactured here for the past five years. The new Audi e-tron equally incorporates chassis modules from Münchsmünster.
The giant aluminum diecasting systems in the cutting-edge structural components shopare in operation round the clock. All components are significantly lighter than conventional welded parts made from sheet steel – saving 30 percent weight. More than 600,000 components were made here in 2018, including strut mounts for the A4/A5 family and structural components e.g. for the new models Audi Q8 and Lamborghini Urus.
Production volume in the chassis modules shop climbed to around nine million parts in 2018. On two lines, Audi manufactures wheel hubs made from forged steel for Audi models with a longitudinal engine, and also for VW Group models and for Lamborghini. Gray cast iron brake disks are produced on new machining lines for automobiles based on the modular longitudinal platform (MLB). There are four additional lines for cast aluminum wheel carriers and forged aluminum swivel bearings for various Audi and VW models. Münchsmünster is also where brake disks, swivel bearings, wheel carriers and wheel hubs for the new Audi e-tron are made.
In the press shop,Audi workers operate ultramodern presses for hot and cold forming. The blanks required for both press lines are prepared on site in a strip-cutting plant. Advanced laser systems in the laser park process the hot-formed components, which are used mainly for strength and crash-relevant parts such as the B-post or tunnel reinforcement for the models of the A4/A5 family.
