Body in White (BIW)
Body in White (BIW) – Know about Automotive Manufacturing
Body in White (BIW) refers to the welded sheet metal components which form the vehicle’s structure to which the other components will be attached, i.e., engine, chassis, exterior, and interior trim.
BIW Automotive Manufacturing
Automobiles have always been the greatest invention as it connects each and every part of the world. To manufacture them is a very long and complex process. “Body in White (BIW) “, sounds new? Well that’s great if it doesn’t. But if you heard this word right now, I will take you through the interesting facts in this journey. BIW refers to the stage in automobile manufacturing in which the vehicle body sheet has been assembled. This means that the vehicle’s body frame has been joined together including doors, hoods, trunk, bumper and deck lights. At this stage all the chassis assemblies are welded together before painting. Now that you know the basic definition, let us look into it in detail.
Automotive sector is the most demanding and competition sector with continuous technological development. The development in the automotive sector has led to introduction of new materials in BIW such as aluminium, carbon fibre, polymers etc. When it comes to automotive applications, chassis weight and the strength plays an important role. A chassis made of Aluminium could reduce the weight by 30% without reducing the strength. Choosing the rights material is very important for vehicle body dynamics. Hence, before jumping into BIW, you should have a grip on Sheet Metals Design, Surface modeling in 3D Software’s (Catia/NX) and then you will know about BIW Manufacturing process.
Audi BIW
The basic structure of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) resembles a framework of a timbered building. The ASF principle assigns a specific task to each material and each component giving the development engineers a great deal of design freedom. An ASF body weighs over 40 percent less than a comparable steel construction. The body of the TT Coupé is about 206 kilograms; R8 Coupé weighs 210 kilograms and A8 weighs 231 kilograms (509.27 lb). When auto industry vehicles are steadily becoming heavier and heavier, Audi is reversing the “spiral of weight.”
Wanna become BIW engineer?
To become a BIW designer, you require :
- Expertise on surfacing software like CATIA
- Vehicle Dynamics knowledge
- Skills on design fixtures
- Knowledge on manufacturing processes
- Sheet metal design
- 2D and 3D designs and Unigraphics
Aesthetics is an important parameter to look into in a vehicle to provide a pleasing overall appearance, surface quality and consistent details. The weight of the transported passengers and load as well as the mechanical parts are required for vehicle propulsion, control and other system functions. So vehicle must be able to withstand mechanical stresses from multiple sources. There should be easy access and adequate room for the driver, passengers and transported goods.
All the above skills and consideration will act as a stepping stone towards becoming an BIW engineering. Anything can be achieved with a great interest and hardwork. There are numerous online courses available which will help you go one step ahead towards your goal.
Career Opportunities
BIW designers/engineers work in design, and R&D departments of Original Equipment Manufacturers, design houses, and tier-one suppliers in the automotive sector. They are also offered jobs by technology companies that provide engineering & design services, Product Lifecycle Management, and plant automation solutions to automobile manufacturers. All Niche India OEMs R&D, Tier 1 Sheet metal suppliers, and Automobile Design Engineering Services companies hire BIW engineers. Linkedin has more than 200 job openings in BIW by various OEMs and other organisations.
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