Ever marvel 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 autos? Some automakers have even earned a popularity – deserved or in any other case – for shoddiness. Automakers all have their very own course of that ensures high quality for his or her autos. However for BMW that course of is known as “cubing” and has been a part of their manufacturing line for a minimum of 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 look at how every half aligned and match collectively. If changes are wanted or one thing didn’t align completely, BMW might make modifications and re-evaluate to make sure optimum match. This strategy is particularly useful in pinpointing the supply of potential points, enormously simplifying product testing.
In a nutshell, cubing ensures every thing from headlights to inside upholstery and switchgear match cosy and correct. By utilizing exact measuring instruments, inconsistencies might be noticed at a scale right 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 cut back environmental impacts.
Some processes additionally use augmented actuality which allows BMW engineers to overlay digital components onto the mannequin to evaluate compatibility with out bodily meeting.
After BMW mills out the aluminum physique, components suppliers ship pattern components for take a look at fitment. BMW suits the half and scans the mannequin towards the “produced” unit to verify for variances. The scan even takes under consideration paint thickness, which might ever so barely influence closing match and end. Testing out parts earlier than the automotive sees manufacturing reduces the probabilities for remembers and permits BMW to find wonky or ill-fitting components earlier than the general public.
Cubing Ain’t Low-cost; However Neither is a BMW
Once we visited the plant in San Luis Potosi, BMW claimed that the cubing course of can value within the single digit hundreds of thousands. We’re unsure if that determine is inclusive of the varied machines and software program required to precisely “dice.” Both approach, that’s some critical scratch, and it’s additionally the explanation cubing isn’t fairly what you’d name an trade customary. However when you think about the match and end of their autos – and the popularity fellow cuber Porsche boasts – the outcomes are clearly palpable.
Cubing is crucial 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 return. San Luis Potosi can be tasked with Neue Klasse manufacturing for the US market. These early fashions will depart a long-lasting impression on North American customers. Cubing will little question be utilized in full drive to the brand new EV fashions.
As autos and the manufacturing course of more and more grow to be streamlined and unified throughout automakers, particulars like match and end will begin to matter increasingly more. It’s probably the greatest 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 a terrific article on BMW Cubing.
