MOTORING NEWS - The Ford Struandale Engine Plant started production of the new generation diesel engines that are set to power the new Ford Ranger Raptor and selected Ranger and Everest models that will be launched in the first half of 2019.

Assembled on an all-new high-tech assembly line, the start of production for the new engine programme marks an important milestone for the Port Elizabeth facility, which opened its doors in 1964 and has produced over 3,4-million engines to date.

"With the launch of the new diesel engines, the Struandale Engine Plant embarks on a historic new journey. It almost doubles our combined installed capacity to 250 000 units for our two engine programmes," says John Cameron, plant manager of the Struandale plant.

As part of Ford's 2017 investment of over R3-billion in its South African operations, the plant's new assembly line has an installed capacity to produce up to 120 000 engines per year.

The new engine programme starts off with low-volume production for the remainder of this year, then begins ramping up from early 2019. The new assembly line will produce a total of eight derivatives of the engines, including the advanced 157kW and 500Nm bi-turbo unit.

All these engines will be supplied to Ford's Silverton assembly plant near Pretoria for installation in the new Ford Ranger and Everest models and the keenly awaited Ford Ranger Raptor.

Ford's local vehicle production supports domestic sales along with 148 global export markets.

Reinforcing its high-tech status, the new state-of-the-art engine assembly line incorporates a cylinder head sub-assembly line that uses four fully automated robots to ensure the precise fitment of components, as well as high-pressure leak testing.

There are four more robotic stations on the main assembly line that apply the special room temperature vulcanising (RTV) silicone gaskets. Each operation is monitored by integrated camera inspection systems that guarantee the highest levels of precision and quality control.

Each of the 110 assembly stations along the 312-metre line incorporates extensive error-proofing and every engine is subjected to an in-depth cold test to verify operating parameters and pressures of all systems without physically starting the engine.

This is backed up by a hot test cell to check engine parameters when running, as well as a fully equipped dynamometer that conducts a wide range of performance and durability tests on selected engines at predetermined intervals.

Continuing alongside the new programme, the existing Duratorq TDCi engine programme has seen annual capacity increase from 75 000 units in 2011 to a maximum expected capacity of up to 130 000 units from the end of 2018. 

This engine platform will continue to be offered in the range of vehicles produced in Silverton, and will also be exported to global customers.

In addition, the Struandale plant's machining capacity for the Duratorq TDCi programme has increased from 220 000 component sets (cylinder head, block and crankshaft) to a peak of up to 280 000 to meet growing demand.

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