Visit to Hefei Factories - Exploring the Future of Intelligent Manufacturing

i)Exploring Haier's COSMOPlat Smart Connected Factory

Our first stop was at the Haier COSMOPlat Smart Connected Factory. This facility is not only a research and production center for home appliance circuit boards but also a pioneer in the application of industrial internet technologies. Established in 1999 and having undergone significant transformations, it stands as a leading enterprise in intelligent electronics manufacturing under the Haier Group.

Digital Transformation: Co-creation and Win-win

- Enterprise Digitization: COSMOPlat focuses on enabling digital transformation for enterprises, helping clients address pain points by customizing digital platforms to create "digital leaders."

- Park Digitization: In Changfeng Town's Xiatang Industrial Park, COSMOPlat has established Anhui's first smart carbon energy industrial internet platform, achieving integrated energy management. This initiative has reduced energy costs and cut annual carbon emissions by 400,000 tons.

-Industry Digitization:Partnering with Chery, COSMOPlat co-developed an automotive industry internet platform. This platform empowers Chery's manufacturing base and over 2,000 parts suppliers, enhancing production efficiency, increasing sales, and reducing inventory and labor costs. In 2023, the platform was recognized as a national-level dual-cross platform.

 Smart Factory: Efficient Operations

The COSMOPlat circuit board factory, completed in 2019, leverages aerospace simulation technology to accelerate product design validation. It combines AI optical monitoring technology with FCT automated testing equipment to improve inspection accuracy and efficiency. Through a network optimization system, it achieves intelligent scheduling and outbound logistics, establishing a traceable warehouse. The use of AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) technology reduces labor costs and enables efficient production through a combination of hardware and software.

 The Haier COSMOPlat Smart Connected Factory is not just a showcase of technology but a glimpse into the future of intelligent manufacturing. Here, we witnessed how innovation and intelligence are reshaping production and leading the industry forward.

ii)Visit to NIO's F2 Factory & World's Largest NIO House

Following the visit to Haier's COSMOPlat Smart Connected Factory, we arrived at NIO's second advanced manufacturing base in Hefei. Here, we experienced the innovative processes and high automation levels of a modern factory.

Intelligent Leadership: Efficiency First

- "Tiangong" Smart Management System:This system manages orders through digital means, precisely matching parts and reducing inventory costs. Coupled with an aerial logistics corridor, it significantly enhances transportation efficiency and delivery speed.

- "Feidi" Smart Assembly Island:Innovatively replacing traditional assembly lines, this island enables mixed assembly of components such as car doors, increasing the flexibility and adaptability of the production line.

- "Magic Cube" Vehicle Access Platform: Utilizing RGV (Rail Guided Vehicle) adaptive flexible island technology, this platform transforms flat storage into vertical storage. It employs a dynamically adjustable "tidal" throughput method, optimizing access efficiency.

Green Manufacturing: Zero Carbon Commitment

- Supplier Collaboration: Nearby suppliers build factories (factory-in-factory model) to achieve quick response and optimized service, effectively reducing logistics costs.

- Zero Carbon Factory: Committed to creating a zero-carbon factory, NIO practices the concept of green and sustainable development. By using photovoltaic and other clean energy technologies, the factory reduces carbon emissions during production. Additionally, the factory has a rainwater recycling system, which stores water on rainy days and irrigates on sunny days, making it a self-sufficient, recyclable, and sustainable factory.

Innovative Experience: The Future is Here

At NIO's F2 advanced manufacturing base, we witnessed a microcosm of future manufacturing. From smart management systems to automated assembly islands and vertical access platforms, NIO is driving the transformation of the manufacturing industry through innovation and intelligence.

NIO's advanced manufacturing base is not just a place to produce cars but a testing ground for innovation and intelligence. Here, we observed the future of the automotive manufacturing industry and NIO's relentless pursuit of intelligent manufacturing and green production.

iii)Future Outlook on Intelligent Manufacturing and Supply Chain Innovation

Through visits to Haier's COSMOPlat Smart Connected Factory and NIO's F2 advanced manufacturing base, we gained deeper insights into intelligent manufacturing and supply chain management. These two pioneering companies have demonstrated how intelligent means can enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and meet the demand for personalized products.

The core of intelligent manufacturing lies in data-driven decision-making, making personalized customization and flexible production possible. Haier and NIO have achieved comprehensive process innovation through advanced technologies, showcasing the potential of traditional manufacturing rejuvenated through technological upgrades.

Although the initial investment in smart factories is substantial, the industry leadership and production efficiency changes they bring are profound. This experience provided MBA students with valuable insights for future management. Let's look forward to the endless possibilities that intelligent manufacturing will bring to the world and prepare to meet every new challenge.

Thank you for participating, and we look forward to our next journey!