Ever surprise why and the way automakers like Porsche and BMW appear to have a cabin that’s screwed collectively a bit extra tightly than some competing automobiles? Some automakers have even earned a fame – deserved or in any other case – for shoddiness. Automakers all have their very own course of that ensures high quality for his or her automobiles. However for BMW that course of is known as “cubing” and has been a part of their manufacturing line for at the very least a decade.
What’s Cubing?
We acquired our first cubing expertise throughout a current go to on the BMW Plant in San Luis Potosi. Cubing is among the first steps within the manufacturing course of and BMW has built-in this know-how for each upcoming mannequin. As a mannequin will get prepared for manufacturing, a full-size physique chassis is milled from strong aerospace-grade aluminum.
This mannequin permits BMW to watch how every half aligned and match collectively. If changes are wanted or one thing didn’t align completely, BMW may make modifications and re-evaluate to make sure optimum match. This method is very useful in pinpointing the supply of potential points, tremendously simplifying product testing.
In a nutshell, cubing ensures every thing from headlights to inside upholstery and switchgear match comfortable and correct. By utilizing exact measuring instruments, inconsistencies will be noticed at a scale all the way down to tenths of a millimeter. BMW even goes so far as to make sure the aluminum physique is saved in a climate-controlled surroundings to scale back environmental impacts.
Some processes additionally use augmented actuality which allows BMW engineers to overlay digital elements onto the mannequin to evaluate compatibility with out bodily meeting.
After BMW mills out the aluminum physique, elements suppliers ship pattern elements for take a look at fitment. BMW suits the half and scans the mannequin in opposition to the “produced” unit to test for variances. The scan even takes under consideration paint thickness, which might ever so barely influence remaining match and end. Testing out elements earlier than the automobile sees manufacturing reduces the possibilities for recollects and permits BMW to find wonky or ill-fitting elements earlier than the general public.
Cubing Ain’t Low cost; However Neither is a BMW
After we visited the plant in San Luis Potosi, BMW claimed that the cubing course of can value within the single digit tens of millions. We’re undecided if that determine is inclusive of the varied machines and software program required to precisely “dice.” Both approach, that’s some severe scratch, and it’s additionally the explanation cubing isn’t fairly what you’d name an trade normal. However when you think about the match and end of their automobiles – and the fame fellow cuber Porsche boasts – the outcomes are clearly palpable.
Cubing is important on the Mexico plant. Not solely to make sure high quality of present merchandise – notably, it’s the middle of worldwide market manufacturing for the fascinating M2 – however for what’s to come back. San Luis Potosi will probably be tasked with Neue Klasse manufacturing for the US market. These early fashions will depart an enduring impression on North American consumers. Cubing will little doubt be utilized in full drive to the brand new EV fashions.
As automobiles and the manufacturing course of more and more turn out to be streamlined and unified throughout automakers, particulars like match and end will begin to matter increasingly more. It’s top-of-the-line methods to face out from the group, particularly as an automaker like BMW that touts “luxurious” branding. I say: let the cubing start. Forbes additionally put collectively an awesome article on BMW Cubing.
