Yuchen Talks about Cars│Bentley Automotive’s measurement team strives for excellence to achieve ultimate luxury

On April 15, 2020, Bentley Motors' Crewe headquarters factory in the UK has a measurement and testing workshop that strictly controls the temperature and lighting environment. It is not open to visitors. The workshop is equipped with high-end precision measuring instruments that can reach the level of aerospace agencies or university science laboratories. Michael Stockdale, head of Bentley's metrology team, leads 25 employees to conduct rigorous and precise measurements of Bentley's parts in the workshop.

The metrology team relies on professional measurement technology to create precise parts to achieve the extraordinary quality and performance of the vehicle and ensure its long-lasting durability. The components Michael Stockdale and his team are responsible for measuring include: gaskets, body panels, and interior components used in design details, striving to ensure that every detail meets tolerance standards. Michael Stockdale said: "We use precision instruments to measure the dimensions from the leather texture to the cylinder inner diameter, and the measurement accuracy can reach micron level."

Team members first measured the parts individually, and then measured them as The sub-components are measured twice and finally placed in the complete vehicle for repeated measurements. The team plays a vital role in the vehicle manufacturing process.

Precision design of Bentley’s double-wing “B” logo

Ensuring the specification accuracy of parts is particularly critical for vehicle manufacturing. For example, the liftable double-flying "B" logo on the front end of the bonnet of the new Flying Spur is equipped with precision control devices, and each component follows strict measurement standards to achieve a smooth lifting effect. When a driver approaches the vehicle, the logo will automatically light up and be activated simultaneously with the keyless entry system; if contact occurs, the logo will automatically lower into the hood. To achieve this precision design, the component tolerances used in the double-flying “B” logo are as low as 0.15 mm.

The tolerance of some parts is smaller than the diameter of a single red blood cell

Michael Stockdale pointed out that the diameter of a human hair is about 17 microns to 150 microns, and the precision instruments used by Bentley’s metrology team measure Results are accurate to 0.5 microns.

1 micron is one millionth of 1 meter. The diameter of human red blood cells is 5 microns. The tolerance value of some Bentley automobile parts needs to be less than 1 micron.

The Bentley 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine powered by the new Flying Spur is the most advanced 12-cylinder engine Bentley has ever equipped. When the engine rotates at 6,000 rpm, the kinetic energy generated by the piston is converted through the crankshaft into power to drive the vehicle forward. The journal surface of the crankshaft has tiny grooves invisible to the naked eye that can accommodate a thin film of oil.

The Bentley metrology team uses a high-precision Perthometer measuring instrument to check whether the relevant values ????of the groove meet the tolerance regulations, thereby ensuring that each W12 engine has strong performance and durable quality, so as to meet Bentley customers' demand for ultra-luxury Highest expectations for a car.

The aluminum “standard body” of the new Flying Spur

In addition to measuring the microscopic precision of individual parts, Bentley’s metrology team is also responsible for measuring the entire vehicle structure. The department creates an aluminum "standard body" as a reference against which to measure body panels and interior components. For example, the new Flying Spur's aluminum "standard body" forms the basis for the production vehicle, with every inch of its texture mapped by high-precision digital cameras to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Michael Stockdale explained: "During the vehicle development stage, if there is a 1 mm gap between the grille and the hood. At this time, we can use the "standard body" accurately depicted by CAD software to find out the gap caused by Reasons for errors. ”

Optical laser scanning system

Bentley’s metrology team needs to use different measurement techniques for different materials. The three-dimensional diamond-shaped texture introduced in the new Flying Spur door interiors and rear trim panels cannot be measured using touch devices, and readings will deviate due to the influence of touch. Therefore, Bentley’s metrology team used optical laser scanners to map and inspect the precise contours of each diamond pattern.

The comfortable seats used in the new Flying Spur’s interior cabin add many configurations, bringing new challenges to measurement work. The rear seats of the car can provide 14 adjustment modes and 5 massage modes, and the two outer seats are equipped with heating and ventilation devices.

Bentley’s metrology team ensures that various material components, including wood trim, metal, fabric and leather, meet tolerance standards to achieve the overall interior design, from wood veneers to leather materials.

Precise temperature control

Due to the thermal expansion and contraction of materials, measurement work must be performed at a stable temperature. Therefore, the Bentley metrology team maintains the workshop temperature at 20°C. A "High Accuracy Measurement Area" (High Accuracy Measurement Area) has been set up for some parts with more stringent temperature measurement requirements, and a dedicated temperature control system ensures that the temperature difference within the area does not exceed 0.5°C. This area also features three granite blocks to place the components under test, the stability of which is crucial for reading the data. Before measurement, the parts need to be placed in air at a constant temperature. Michael Stockdale explains: "Large components such as engine cylinders need to be placed in a constant temperature environment for up to a week to ensure that all components are maintained at a temperature of 20°C."

Bentley The "Heroes Behind the Scenes" of the Automobile Headquarters Factory

The workshop of Bentley's metrology team is not open to visitors, but the exquisite appearance, powerful performance and durable quality of Bentley cars all benefit from the quality of every component. Strive for excellence. Therefore, Bentley’s metrology team can be called the “heroes behind the scenes”, and every Bentley car embodies its professional attitude of pursuing perfection and rigor.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.