NORD ELECTRONIC DRIVESYSTEMS - Aurich

Continuous investment

Continuous investments are being made in the Aurich location and capacities are being further expanded. Around EUR 2.5 million have recently been invested in the expansion, which has increased the assembly area to 3,000 m2. The maximum production capacity is now at 400,000 units, i.e. frequency inverters of all types. The purchase of an adjacent site with an area of 1.8 ha secures further expansion. Planning for the production expansion is already underway.

Lean logistics – efficient processes

The automated and flexible production structure in Aurich is state-of-the-art and allows any size of order to be processed. Even small batch sizes are possible thanks to flexible production. The products are manufactured directly on customer order. They are configured in SAP at the final assembly level and then fitted and assembled to the customer's request.

A central order controls the entire production. All data and information are combined online and can be accessed from anywhere at all times. Among other things, placement and test plans are automatically generated from the individual configuration, both in THT production (through hole technology) and in the SMD area (surface mounted device).

An automated guided vehicle system (AGV) also ensures greater efficiency. Among other things it is responsible for the transport from goods receipt to the automated small parts warehouse.

The efficient process begins as early as at goods receipt. Each package is given a 2D code so that it can be fully tracked until it is used, or inversely from the serial number of the device back to the goods receipt (traceability).

From printed circuit board to finished product

In SMD production, the two assembly lines place as many as 70,000 electronic components per hour. In order to ensure fault-free production, all modules are checked using an in-line AOI system (automatic optical inspection) after placement and soldering in a nitrogen atmosphere.

In THT production, the wired components are assembled and soldered with wave soldering systems in a nitrogen atmosphere. Depending on the complexity, a THT AOI test and a subsequent 100% function test are carried out. From THT production, the modules are conveyed to a final assembly Kanban warehouse. In the different assembly areas, the devices are then assembled on semi-automatic lines.

Eliminating sources of error, maintaining quality standards

The frequency inverters must meet high quality standards prior to delivery. To maintain this, appropriate quality controls are integrated in Aurich at all production stages. This starts with component checks in goods receipt and continues with the upgrading of the automatic placement machines.

The AOI test in SMD and THT is set up in such a way that even the slightest deviations are registered. After THT production, all modules are tested electrically once again. During the final testing of the devices, the final performance test is carried out under full load.

Digitalisation, automation and maximum flexibility

The test systems are optimally matched to the testing requirements – many systems, both hardware and software, were developed by in-house test equipment manufacturing. This ensures additional safety – as do the visualisation of the assembly instructions and the laser marking of the devices. This is the only way of guaranteeing the high quality and reliability of NORD products.

“Manufacturing the NORDAC frequency inverter in Aurich demonstrates: We do not compromise at NORD DRIVESYSTEMS when it comes to our own manufacturing process. Digitalisation, automation and maximum flexibility have long since found their way into the factory halls”, plant manager Gerhard Harms emphasises.

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