Automation of the

production process as
part of an expansion
strategy.

CREATING MOVEMENT WHITE PAPER 2022

Avant Tecno Oy in Ylöjärvi, Finland, has manufactured over
50,000 compact loaders since 1991. Compact loaders
are typically used for landscaping, property maintenance,
farming, construction and demolition, in industry, and for
home and leisure projects.
The production rate of “one Avant a day” in the early days
has now reached the level where one Avant is manufactured
every 30 minutes. The change has been considerable, and
it has required many actions. Automation of the production
process is just one part of Avant’s expansion strategy.

WHITE PAPER 2022 2

CHALLENGE:
A producer of compact
loaders was looking for a
more efficient production
line.
SOLUTION:
Introduce automated
guided vehicles
Description of the case
The collaboration between Avant and Solving began with
a prototype of an assembly wagon. A successful evaluation
of the prototype at Avant led to four more wagons, which
were initially used manually but were prepared for automatic
operation (AGV). Since then, the automation of the production
line has been gradually expanded and a total of 27 assembly
wagons have been installed so far.
The entire AGV fleet today functions as an automatic stop-
and-go system, on which Avant Tecno currently produces 12
various kinds of compact loaders every day.

“Automation of the assembly

line, the introduction of
a step-by-step assembly
method, standardization of
work cycle time and work
ergonomics have been key
words throughout the project”,
says Saku Vastamäki, Vice
President, Production.

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CHALLENGE: Faster and smoother assembly solution
A producer of compact The solution developed by Solving together with Avant
loaders was looking for a provides a significantly faster assembly of the compact
loaders and smoother assembly of the front and rear parts
more efficient production
than the previous manual production lines could provide.
line.
The AGVs also have a height-adjustable function that allows
SOLUTION: the compact loaders to be raised and lowered so that the
fitters always have an ergonomic working position. With
Introduce automated
magnets embedded in the floor, the AGVs can navigate
guided vehicles very accurately, which is important in production lines where
people are constantly present.

The entire manufacturing process from an empty frame to a

finished compact loader takes place on Solving’s assembly
wagons, which also drive the Avant loader into the final
station where it is tested and refueled. From there, the loader
drives out under its own power and the assembly wagon
automatically drives back to the beginning of the line.

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CHALLENGE: Latest safety equipment
A producer of compact The AGVs are designed for weights up to 2500 kg and are
loaders was looking for a equipped with safety equipment according to EU directives,
such as personal safety scanners and emergency stops. In
more efficient production
addition, the AGVs have extra scanners facing upwards to
line. detect technical obstacles as well as safety guards in front of
the wheels to ensure additional safety.
SOLUTION:
Introduce automated
guided vehicles

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 What advantages do Solving AGVs provide?
• Integral safety systems such as bumpers, lights and emergency
stops
• Efficient and continuous operation, 24-hours a day
• Less material-damage due to safe and precise handling
• A clean and safe working environment reducing the risk of
work-related injuries
• Unmanned operation reducing the labour costs
• Avoiding of monotonous work
• Short payback period
• Solutions meeting customers’ requirements

Ab Solving Oy
Bennäsvägen 181
FI-68600 Jakobstad Finland
Tel +358 6 781 7500
sales@solving.com
solving.com