Russian truck manufacturer Kamaz is to start producing its own aluminium fuel tanks. The first vehicles fitted with them are expected to be on the road next year.
The company will make the tanks on an automated line at its press and stamping plant in Naberezhnye Chelny, Republic of Tatarstan. The additional line, which will end Kamaz’s reliance on imports, is being set up because no company in Russia could meet the volume and quality required, said the company.
Kamaz no longer wishes to be dependent on imports of aluminium fuel tanks, confirmed deputy project manager, Sergey Mandrik. “Since these products are in scarce supply, Kamaz risks timely supplies to our assembly with components,” he commented.
The truckmaker began working with Russian industrial robot manufacturer Kuka at the end of last year on the new robotised site at its press and stamping plant’s chassis shop. Design documentation for the fuel tanks has been approved and Kuka has begun preproduction processes.
Bringing production in-house, said Kamaz, will let it check manufacturing quality and improve design in real time.
The first equipment should arrive in November and installation should be completed by the end of the year, said the truckmaker. There will be four robots at the site – two welders and two transporters – making 200-900 litre fuel tanks.
