VW successfully tests wood-composite skid conveyors in Wolfsburg plant, ordering more

4 November 2014

Volkswagen has successfully tested 5 skid conveyors made of Wood Veneer Composite (WVC) in its Wolfsburg plant, and, based on the success of the pilot, is ordering 75 more. The basic design was developed by the Technical University of Chemnitz between 2006 and 2010 as part of a larger project investigating the use wood for applications in engineering and the advantages of a targeted design. Intended applications are, for example, in high-speed processing machines and conveyors—i.e., the wood materials are not only exposed to static loads, but also have to bear dynamic loads.

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WVC skid conveyors. Click to enlarge.

Volkswagen reportedly is very satisfied with the low-maintenance, low vibration and noise dampening modules.

Skid conveyors are a specialized roller conveyor for transporting cars through assembly stations. Promoters of the skid conveyors say that wood material is much lighter than conventional metal construction, at least as resilient, also low-maintenance, low vibration and noise dampening.

The roller tracks are made from a special birch plywood.

Germany’s Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) promoted the development of the TU Chemnitz WVC conveyors, supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BmEL).

Resources

• Project report (German only): “Schwingungs- und geräuschdämpfende Leichtbauelemente im Maschinenbau auf Basis von Konstruktionswerkstoffen aus Holz”