Renault Vans is deeply dedicated to the vitality transition within the business trucking business. Initially a part of Renault—the French automotive firm—Renault Vans has been a subsidiary of the Volvo Group since 2001. Though the corporate nonetheless makes gas- and diesel-powered vans, it additionally assembles a variety of absolutely electrical vans with capacities starting from 1,400 kilos to 44 tons. These automobiles are meant each for regional transport of products in addition to for purposes reminiscent of waste assortment.
Renault Vans operates 4 factories in France. They’re situated in Bourg-en-Bresse, Blainville-sur-Orne, Lyon and Limoges. The Blainville plant is the place electrical vans are assembled.
Nexonar integrates seamlessly with the manufacturing facility’s traceability system. Picture courtesy Desoutter
A key element of Renault Vans’ electrical automobiles is the modular energy field (MPB), which is situated between the batteries and the electrical motors that drive the wheels. This advanced element comprises quite a few safety-critical joints. Meeting of the MPB is difficult, because it comprises a lot of screws which are tightened to quite a lot of torque and angle specs.
To error-proof meeting, engineers wished to implement a system to information staff by way of every fastening step whereas making certain full traceability.
The Nexonar real-time location system from Desoutter match the invoice. Desoutter had long-been supplying fastening instruments to Renault, so including the Nexonar expertise was a simple choice.
How It Works
Every meeting station is provided with an infrared digicam positioned at a peak of three.5 meters above the MPB. A reference tracker is hooked up to the meeting whereas one or two different trackers—relying on the tightening angle—are put in on the screwdriver.
The Nexonar system affords the choice of specifying the fastening sequence for the operator or working in “free order mode.” To assist the assembler, a display shows directions for every fastener to be put in. Tightening is just permitted if the software is appropriately positioned on the proper screw. The outcomes obtained at every joint are transmitted in actual time to manufacturing facility’s traceability software program.

Nexonar detects every fastening location to inside ±15 millimeters, even when the digicam is positioned a number of meters above the working space. Picture courtesy Desoutter
Within the case of MPB, the minimal distance between two screws is 30 millimeters. The entire system—together with digicam, reference tracker and gear trackers—permits detection and recognition of every fastening location to inside ±15 millimeters, even when the digicam is positioned a number of meters above the working space. This distinctive precision eliminates any threat of inversion of tightening torque for a similar screw dimension.
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As a result of Nexonar and the screwdrivers are wi-fi, assemblers are free to maneuver as wanted. The expertise prevents lacking a joint or fastening to the mistaken torque or angle.
Because of its small dimension and its low weight, the infrared digicam integrates discreetly into the work setting. The trackers are designed in order that they don’t hinder the assembler’s actions.
Since implementing the Nexonar system, the plant has met its aim of error-free meeting of the MPB unit, despite the fact that the Blainville plant assembles greater than 3,000 electrical vans yearly.

Renault Vans manufactures a variety of absolutely electrical vans with capacities starting from 1,400 kilos to 44 tons. Picture courtesy Renault Vans
“The installation of new assembly lines dedicated to manufacturing electric trucks was a major challenge for the company,” says Jerome Gohier, meeting strategies and tightening knowledgeable at Renault Vans. “We had to guarantee flawless quality to gain the trust of our customers. The support of nexonar and Desoutter contributed greatly to the success of this project.”
“We are happy to provide the Nexonar system to Renault Trucks,” says Gonzague Jaunatre, product supervisor at Desoutter. “The solution integrates perfectly into the working environment and the assembly traceability system already in place.”
For extra data on fastening instruments and error-proofing expertise, go to www.desouttertools.com.
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