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MINI History MINI Cars MINI Concepts Specials MINI Plant in Oxford, UK
The new MINI is being manufactured on one of the world's most modern and advanced production systems at the BMW Group plant at Oxford - the result of a £230 million investment programme at the factory. MINI Stars in "The Italian Job" MINI, the 2003 North American Car of the Year, will join a stellar cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def and Donald Sutherland, in Paramount Pictures’ film, “The Italian Job,” opening nationwide May 30th.
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1998 - 2007 Copyright & |
Plant
Summary
Facts
Assembly
Paint
Shop
Body
Shop
Logistics
BMW Oxford Plant : Assembly FINAL ASSEMBLY: The painted bodies are received in a sequencing store above the final assembly lines where the first stage is to remove the doors which then pass along their own sub-assembly line at mezzanine floor height to be trimmed.
The skillets provide a wide working area around the car and associates move with the car during assembly operations. The car's barcode is read by the KISS quality and information system at every assembly stage, eliminating the need for the traditional vehicle history card and providing a direct electronic link with the production control system. Each car is also fitted with a transponder which ensures immediate identification and tracking at any assembly station. The introduction of "all electric" power tools - rather than conventional compressed air tools - is a first for vehicle assembly in Europe. The tools, which are either powered by direct current or are portable, battery-powered, are far more accurate in applying the correct level of torque in a variety of assembly tasks.
A further benefit is that they are also linked into the KISS system which monitors their performance through a controller station provided at each of the tools. This allows a continuously updated history of the assembly of each car and maintains the stringent quality standards at each assembly stage as part of the "zero-fault" quality programme. Throughout the assembly process special
attention is paid to the ease of handling parts, with the use of
assistors in tasks such as sunroof, exhaust system and battery
installation. |
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Powertrain assembly
The final assembly process also includes complete test procedures with electrical systems testing; water test and parts quality control as well as the final finish line with a "buy-off" point where the completed car passes from the manufacturing activity to the sales organisation. (July 10, 2001) photos: BMW/ Automotive Intelligence
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