Dresden, Germany
Volkswagen's new manufacturing plant "Die Glaserne Manufaktur" (The Transparent Factory) is located in Dresden Germany.
The Volkswagen Phaeton – the company’s prestige luxury car – may not have set the world on fire but the factory in which it is produced is Something Else. Dubbed the ‘Transparent Factory’ because of its incredible use of glass, the plant is in Dresden, Germany.
Visitors are more likely to think it is an art gallery or modern office block rather than a car factory. Or, when cars are spotted behind the glass, perhaps an architecturally cutting edge car park? But then again, all the cars behind the glass are the same...
just 100 metres from the Dresden Botanical Gardens in the city centre, the factory benefits from a 6 million Euros (AUD$10.27 million) investment in its outdoor area (50,000 sq metres) to ensure it blends with the beauty of the ancient city.
Dresden’s municipal tram network plays an integral role for Volkswagen as specially developed tram cars ("CarGoTram") are used to carry prefabricated parts from the Logistics Centre outside the city to the Transparent Factory. This shuttle service is environmentally friendly and does not create extra traffic congestion for the city.
The factory’s landmark is a glass tower almost 40 metres high and visible from a considerable distance - finished vehicles are stored within it, ready for collection.
Volkswagen has invested a total of 187 million Euros ($A320 million) in the Dresden facility since the foundation stone was laid in July 1999.
The idea of a brand new and truly unique automotive plant in the heart of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities was turned into reality by Gunter Henn, the group of architects responsible for Volkswagen’s similarly remarkable Autostadt complex which is part of the company’s worldwide headquarters in Wolfsburg.
Volkswagen’s Phaeton luxury class vehicle is built behind 27,500 square metres of glazed facades in a production area covering 55,000 square metres. The glazed area and 24,000 square metres of parquetry floor create a light, airy atmosphere that has to be seen to be believed.
At the heart of the new production line is a ‘Slat Belt’ - all that it has in common with conventional conveyors is its phased movement according to assembly stage. The surface of the Slat Belt itself consists of 29 individual elements that are also fully lined with parquetry and carry the vehicles to be assembled. Other features include an induction power supply and a new indirect lighting concept. All parts required for the assembly process accompany the corresponding vehicle in a ‘components basket.’ Driverless buggies – one per body shell - move around collecting components, so negating the need for shelves along the production line.
Phaeton customers are encouraged to come to Dresden to see their car being built and receive VIP treatment when they collect their finished product.
Article from autospeed Pictures courtesy of VolkswagenMaintained by: Chris Slider Webmaster, www.togobeyond.net