Proton Tanjung Malim shows off its quality control process in production of X50, X70, X90 SUV models

Proton Tanjung Malim shows off its quality control process in production of X50, X70, X90 SUV models

At present, the Proton plant in Tanjung Malim is the birthplace of national carmaker’s recent models such as the X50, X70 and X90 lines of SUVs, whereas production of the Proton Saga remains at the older plant in Hicom Shah Alam.

With modern vehicles packing current technology, modern manufacturing techniques are required. Here, Proton has produced a video that offers a glimpse into some of the technology that goes into the manufacture of a modern Proton model, which it has released on its Facebook page.

Manufacture of a vehicle at the Proton Tanjung Malim plant begins with the stamping process for the main shell and body parts. This is where the largest mechanical press in Malaysia is located, claims Proton, and which is capable of stamping pressures of up to 2,500 tonnes. This is assisted by seven nimble robots for the movement of metal panels with millimetric precision for an automation level of 83%.

Several quality inspection gateways follow, where tolerances are capped to within 21 microns, thus maintaining the highest standards of quality during the production process. The assembled components continue on their journey to the body welding shop.

At the body welding shop, a host of robotic machines are employed, such as robotic inspection arms, automatic servo turntable and an adaptive spot welding system with a centreline servo gun to yield a 99.8% qualified welding strength rate.

The machinery ensures that the vehicles’ bodies are assembled to flawless perfection, claims Proton. This is however backed up by measurement tests which are conducted periodically, using a fully automatic 3D coordinate measuring machine capable of precision down to 0.05 mm. This will enable the three-dimensional measuring of an entire vehicle body in just 4.5 hours, says Proton.

Through the painting stages, a human team of paint quality inspectors use advanced measuring tools to examine each coat of paint to ensure perfection in paint thickness, glossiness, hardness, adhesion, roughness, levelling and colour accuracy.

Further along the assembly line where the mechanical parts are installed into the vehicle bodies, extensive quality inspections are carried out through 11 ‘quality gates’, to ensure quality and accuracy is maintained while any defects are rectified before the vehicles advance to the next stages.

Next, the automated manufacturing line control system seamlessly merges vehicle tracking and parts management for top-tier assembly efficiency and quality, while automated torque management covers 90% of screw tightening tasks for precise screw fastening and to minimise errors. Automated guide vehicles (AGVs) help achieve superior productivity and quality.

After assembly, operators will use multi-function testers to conduct diagnostic tests of systems functions, where system data is displayed in real time.

When the vehicles are ready to be rolled out, they are then taken to the test course where real-world driving conditions are replicated. This is to guarantee that each Proton manufactured delivers on its performance, safety and longevity standards.

Before leaving the assembly area, each vehicle undergoes a shower test to evaluate the water tightness of its panels and seals. Collectively with other rigorous inspection processes, this is to ensure that each Proton is fully prepared for delivery to dealerships and ultimately, the customers.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • seancorr on Nov 24, 2023 at 7:29 pm

    I hope they practice what they preach. When the X70 CKD rolled out over here the QC was horrendous.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 84
    • Awang Alza on Nov 24, 2023 at 9:52 pm

      How do you know? you owned x70?? can share your owner’s experience.. thks

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 11
    • NothingElseMatters on Nov 25, 2023 at 3:31 pm

      U r rite….Proton’s quality control or assurance always ‘syok sindiri’ , feel good than others but nonsense…to make them better, better top management rotate them to other manufacturing team say each 5-10yrs so each time each person would serve better each other.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 15
    • Nsnkandar on Nov 25, 2023 at 4:11 pm

      Tutup je la kilang proton ni… Bazir oksigen je

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 19
    • YB Kunte Kinta on Nov 26, 2023 at 8:40 pm

      QC…stands for Quality cancelled.
      Not Quality Control.
      What quality control ? Smoke arising from wiring issues lately.
      When u smell smoke..u think of fire.Thats the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
      Do your math..dont buy like desperadoes..not knowing the actual pricing.There r plenty of alternatives.
      If P1 fails…Dr.Li can just pack up n go back to Geely China.But fanboys here will be left in a lurch like the Naza failed entities.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
  • Dong gor on Nov 24, 2023 at 7:33 pm

    Process is there on par with other manufacturer…but more importantly is the ppl who work there and their mentality. Example the worker who takes the care to test drive, does he really pay attention and feedback flaws that he finds? Maybe each falw he finds he needs to do paperwork so end up pretend all ok la. And even he has done his part and feed back to the next department to fix the issue, will he take it seriously and so on….so process is one thing, mentality in the end will prevail in the product quality

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 39 Thumb down 70
  • davenport on Nov 24, 2023 at 7:38 pm

    Meanwhile Honda Alor Gajah…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 11
  • Peppa on Nov 24, 2023 at 7:57 pm

    What do you mean quality control when it does not even exist in the first place LMAO

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 59
    • Sohai on Nov 24, 2023 at 10:43 pm

      It does exist, the QC in their manufacturing process. But use cheap lousy parts from local supplier, no matter how well you put them together, it doesnt last.

      The rest of the problem are just by product of Proton engineering…

      QC can only ensure consistency in the quality of the product. It doest make a lousy product great.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 21
  • Justice on Nov 24, 2023 at 7:58 pm

    Is this a joke or something?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 53
  • Proton Fanboy on Nov 24, 2023 at 8:18 pm

    How about saga, persona and iriz?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 17
  • Saga 4 life on Nov 24, 2023 at 8:20 pm

    Should include in the package, free fire extinguisher. Just in case…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 65
  • Show off stupidity. QC out, thousands complained, never been taken seriously. Shame on you!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 47
  • 1,000,000 exported tu apa,kurang paham.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • Yeahsure on Nov 24, 2023 at 9:11 pm

    Ok but that has nothing to do with vendor parts quality… See X90 forums… Every now and again there is an issue.. Update the infotainment and bricks the whole car, people also complaining of aircond not being cold, and random errors here and there.. Its all documented in their forums. .. Proton never fxxxing learn and no incentive for them because people keep buying…ya body shut lines are great, but thats got nothing to do with reliability

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 41
    • Nonsense on Nov 26, 2023 at 10:47 am

      Proton is day dreaming. But I hate someone who’s pointing out to forums to prove a point. It’s almost like you’re pointing at workshop where every single car with problem gathered and “see there’s a lot of problems here”. When their problems mostly unique to themselves. That… sound so stupid.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • X50 user on Nov 24, 2023 at 10:26 pm

    X50 owner here, from 2023, car about 17k km now
    This must be some sort of joke

    My car came with misaligned doors and door trims, at least no rattling but damn try harder please

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 34
  • Pick Up truck driver on Nov 25, 2023 at 3:11 am

    Don’t expect too much from Proton nowadays. With their deputy Ceo cap ayam mentality, there isn’t Quality in Proton’s books. See X90 Facebook page. Full of complaints from owner. Pity those who bought Proton and had to keep it for the next 9 years.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 32
    • NothingElseMatters on Nov 25, 2023 at 3:32 pm

      U r rite….Proton’s quality control or assurance always ‘syok sindiri’ , feel good than others but nonsense…to make them better, better top management rotate them to other manufacturing team say each 5-10yrs so each time each person would serve better each other.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 8
    • Why would you pick on the deputy CEO and not the CEO if you had a beef with their quality? The buck stops at the CEO.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
      • Niama on Nov 26, 2023 at 2:13 pm

        So Deputy CEO tak payah ade lah?
        Buang saje lah if all you need is the Ceo.
        On Deputy ceo, he recently made a strings of comments on carplay lah etc that showed that he is a weak link in Proton’s top management. I happen to concur with Mr. Pickup truck driver above.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Afiq Aziz on Nov 28, 2023 at 11:02 am

      Proton should have been sold to Peugoet instead of Geely. Peugoet would have had 50.1% share instead of 49.9% to Geely and Peugoet would have complete control over their operations. I have a feeling that DRB is just a puppet for the government even though it is private company on papers. So the sales to Geely was really useless. Proton is still as expensive if not more expensive than before with only subpar quality. Pathetic.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • opmanmy on Nov 25, 2023 at 6:14 am

    Quality speaks for itself. What is there to show?! Haiya Proton. This one (article) is more like marketing stint for X50, X70, X90 SUV instead. Quality is the whole thing. Not just the assembly (or part of it). Look at your SC and staff. Is “quality” there? Look at their attitude, etc.

    SO what about Proton Saga, Persona, S70. Quality ada? Why only just 3 X-series models.

    Owned Proton cars since ages. They all have free ‘cricket’ sound and pre-mature parts failure during warranty. Ini quality ka?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 24
  • Alfred on Nov 25, 2023 at 10:20 am

    Wear a damn gloves man when touching the car internals… the car is not yours

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  • REAL X70 OWNER WITH CAR STUCK AT WORKSHOP (FRUSTRATED) on Nov 25, 2023 at 10:41 am

    apa qc, stuck in workshop still look nice qc?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
  • just couple of pictures and say good quality control..PUIIIII..rubbish

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 10
  • willie on Nov 25, 2023 at 8:41 pm

    hahaha. Please test your plastic quality. How to prevent door handle broken apart?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • Jaguh Global on Nov 25, 2023 at 11:04 pm

    To prove it Proton should give 10-years car warranty unlimited mileage.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • newme on Nov 27, 2023 at 8:57 am

    One do not need show their production process if their product quality is inherently good. It just an attempt to divert the attention away from the end product.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
 

Add a comment

required

required