Faurecia recently opened a $64 million factory in Indiana that it says will take an Industry 4.0 approach to its production line. The factory will make anti-pollution systems.

Faurecia’s 400,000-square-foot facility in Columbus, Ind. The data-driven, 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will employ 450 people and produce a high-tech emissions control product for the commercial vehicle industry on behalf of Cummins’ Emission Solutions division.

The manufacturing process in the new facility will use autonomous intelligent vehicles (AIVs) that can transport parts to the assembly line, rather than rely on automated guided vehicles. The intelligent vehicles are self-learning and can automatically pause and adjust their routes whenever objects or people are in the way. Once the vehicle recognizes that the obstacle is no longer there, it returns to its programmed route.

Other technologies, systems, and processes that will be in use in the Columbus South facility’s digital environment will include: a laser scanning system that can track parts and determine if they are being made to specifications; collaborative robots, or cobots; microMIG welding for inside sections of parts; radio frequency identification systems to track parts; continuous data collection to help predict and prevent equipment failures; a paperless environment to keep employees connected and informed with information; and an open-concept design meant to encourage collaboration and communication.

Emission control technology is one of Faurecia’s three business groups, the others being automotive seating and interior systems.