Toyota factory will be more modular
Toyota’s ‘Simple and Slim’ strategy could radically optimise the way future car factories are built. Here are the key stats: Factories can be 25% smaller, require 40% less start-up investment and emit 55% less Co2. It’s safe to say this goes far beyond recycling waste and water, lashing a few solar panels on the roof and using low-voltage bulbs.
Toyota’s plan will allow their factories to shorten or lengthen production lines in under 90mins. That means a factory can go from producing 100 000 cars to 50 000 cars depending on demand but still function at efficient levels. Without getting into terms and solutions we don’t fully understand – and clearly few other factories did until now – the traditional conveyor belt is no longer sunk into the foundation so its length can be changed. That’s half the trick; the equipment alongside it which holds doors, seats or windscreens etc is now mounted on wheels. There are no fixed points so everything can be moved around in a modular way. And no fixed bulky overheads provides more natural light…
