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 named “cubing” and has been a part of their manufacturing line for at the very least a decade.
What’s Cubing?
We received our first cubing expertise throughout a current go to on the BMW Plant in San Luis Potosi. Cubing is likely one of the first steps within the manufacturing course of and BMW has built-in this expertise for each upcoming mannequin. As a mannequin will get prepared for manufacturing, a full-size physique chassis is milled from stable 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, significantly simplifying product testing.
In a nutshell, cubing ensures the whole lot from headlights to inside upholstery and switchgear match comfortable and correct. By utilizing exact measuring instruments, inconsistencies may 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 setting to cut 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 examine for variances. The scan even takes under consideration paint thickness, which might ever so barely influence ultimate match and end. Testing out parts earlier than the automotive sees manufacturing reduces the possibilities for remembers 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
Once we visited the plant in San Luis Potosi, BMW claimed that the cubing course of can price within the single digit tens of millions. We’re unsure if that determine is inclusive of the varied machines and software program required to precisely “dice.” Both manner, that’s some critical scratch, and it’s additionally the rationale cubing isn’t fairly what you’d name an business customary. 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 crucial on the Mexico plant. Not solely to make sure high quality of present merchandise – notably, it’s the middle of world market manufacturing for the fascinating M2 – however for what’s to come back. San Luis Potosi might 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 doubt be utilized in full drive to the brand new EV fashions.
As automobiles and the manufacturing course of more and more develop into streamlined and unified throughout automakers, particulars like match and end will begin to matter increasingly more. It’s among the finest methods to face out from the gang, particularly as an automaker like BMW that touts “luxurious” branding. I say: let the cubing begin. Forbes additionally put collectively a fantastic article on BMW Cubing.
