Industrialization, a key lever for environmental performance
For Arnaud Marcipont, Thermoplastics Industrialization Manager, the industrialization phase is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of our meters. The design of the new ALTAIR involved numerous exchanges between his team and the R&D design office. Together, they worked to minimize energy and material consumption during manufacturing, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions.
The industrialization phase is a key success factor in reducing the environmental impact of the production of our meters.
Arnaud Marcipont, Thermoplastic Industrialization Manager
Innovations implemented in the design process
This close collaboration was accelerated by the use of digital models, or digital twins, developed from ALTAIR V4 feedback. Simulations on these digital twins help reduce the number of prototypes and shorten part manufacturing times.
Produced at the Saint-Louis site, the ALTAIR V5’s composite bodies feature new injection technology combined with an innovative foaming process. According to Arnaud, this process significantly lightens the parts while enhancing the meter’s resistance to treated water.
Optimised packaging and more sober logistics
From the industrialization phase, the packaging was redesigned: lighter, better filled boxes and optimized logistics flows. This approach makes it possible to transport the same number of parts in a reduced volume and weight, reducing CO2 emissions related to transport.
Automation and upskilling
For Pierre Brossaud, Head of the Thermoplastics Hall, many changes have taken place. A new, fully automated AMA assembly line was installed specifically for the ALTAIR V5. After an adaptation phase, the teams quickly mastered a new logistics flow thanks to targeted support and robotic training.
Eighteen people have been trained to operate robots. The workload for block managers has been reduced, allowing them to focus on first-level maintenance and quality monitoring
Pierre Brossaud, Head of the Thermoplastics Hall
What changes are planned for the production of the ALTAIR V5 in Saint-Louis?
Pierre and his team are confident: this is only the beginning of the project. Eventually, the new AMA assembly line will operate 24/7. At the heart of our priorities is delivering satisfaction to customers worldwide. By next year, the ALTAIR V5 will replace the ALTAIR V4, the volumetric water meter that has sold more than 30 million units globally.
FAQ
How did Arnaud Marcipont's teams use a digital twin?
The industrialization teams created a digital twin from the production data of the ALTAIR V4, produced in Saint-Louis since 2008. This data made it possible to model the different manufacturing phases of the ALTAIR and to reproduce them on different production scenarios. The result: refined parameterization of production tools, fewer prototypes, and reduced energy consumption.
Why does the packaging modification reduce the carbon footprint of the ALTAIR V5?
The optimization of the packaging has made it possible to reduce the footprint, i.e. to optimize the number of pieces per pallet, but also to rethink the logistics flow. This allows the same number of meters to be transported in a reduced container (in weight and size). This allows a larger number of meters to be transported in a single truck, thus reducing CO2 emissions per unit transported.
With financial support from the Grand Est region.
