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Video: Ford cleans up painting process with cameras

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Videos, Ford

Ford F-150 paint process - video screencap

Ford 3D Dirt Detection Technology - video screencap Knowing how the bacon gets made rarely entices us and, in the same vein, the same usually goes for knowing about how new cars get painted. But in both instances, however, quality – or a lack thereof – is instantly obvious. In terms of the latter, Ford is showing off its new paint quality process with 3D Dirt Detection Technology to find imperfections in vehicle paint more easily and more quickly.

This process – being performed on the F-150 SVT Raptor above – uses 16 computer-controlled cameras to create a three-dimensional model (inset) of the vehicle to detect flaws in the paint including dirt particles, which can then be buffed out manually. Ford says this new technology cuts down on time spent looking for paint flaws and gives workers more time to correct those that are discovered.

Currently, Ford only uses its 3D Dirt Detection Technology system at three factories (the Dearborn, MI facility, along with those in Louisville, Kentucky and Valencia, Spain), but it will soon spread to five more plants in North America. Ford has released a video and press release for this innovative and unexpectedly interesting process, both of which are posted below.

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Ford cleans up painting process with cameras originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz’s “secret weapons” inspire new ‘knothole’ process at GM

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM

Chevy Orlando Knothole

It took many years to learn of former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz’s “secret weapons,” but the cat is out of the bag. We recently learned that those secret weapons were a quartet of auto journalists that were put on the payroll to assist GM in the product development process, and now they serve as inspiration for what’s known as the ‘knothole’.

In a recent interview with The Detroit Bureau, GM North America’s Mark Reuss talked about this system, which drives The General’s product development process. The Bureau gave Reuss the credit for creating the process, though Lutz and his band of super journos no doubt served as motivation. But the Knothole isn’t just some process implemented to validate what management wants to be true. On the contrary, Reuss says products have been delayed or killed when the knothole finds them unworthy. For example, have you ever wondered why GM decided not to sell the Orlando here in the United States? Knothole. It’s also why the Cruze didn’t arrive Stateside when the Europeans got it. Reuss claims there were two other unmentioned models that got the ax, while others were delayed until they were ready for prime time.

So, what’s the goal of the knothole? Reuss correctly points out that if a GM vehicle is merely competitive, there is no way Toyota or Honda owners will break brand loyalty. But if GM makes vehicles that are better than the competition in every way, die-hards loyalists could eventually head into GM showrooms.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Lutz’s “secret weapons” inspire new ‘knothole’ process at GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Nissan Leaf assembly process detailed

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf assembly – Click above to watch video after the jump

Earlier this week, we rolled out a time-lapse video of the assembly of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. In that video, General Motors took us inside its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to watch its plug-in hybrid undergo a transformation from a bodyshell to a ready-to-roll vehicle. In the all-too-brief clip, GM attempted to capture the complex steps of assembling the Chevy Volt but, as many of our commenters pointed out, failed to provide a detailed look at the intricate technologies that differentiate the Volt from more conventional vehicles.

In an attempt to be as fair as possible, it’s only fitting that we also showcase the assembly of the 2011 Nissan Leaf. This video, shot inside Nissan’s plant in Oppama, Japan, captures the production of the Leaf in painstaking detail. Hit the jump to watch the Nissan Leaf as it comes together right before your eyes.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf: First Drive

[Source: Nissan via YouTube]

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Video: 2011 Nissan Leaf assembly process detailed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA to update 5-star testing process

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Crash Testing – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is set to debut a new testing procedure for the 2011 model year that will make it more difficult for new cars and trucks to earn the government agency’s coveted five-star safety rating. Just as interestingly, the recent influx of electronic safety gadgets, such as lane departure and collision warning, will be included in the testing regiment as well.

NHTSA will calculate one simple-to-understand grade for each vehicle based on how it manages to perform throughout the agency’s testing. While the revised parameters promise to make safety-minded comparison shopping between new automobiles a bit easier, it also means that pre-2011 ratings will not be directly comparable to the new ones.

A total of 55 new 2011 cars, trucks and minivans (including the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze seen above undergoing GM’s internal safety testing) will be tested by NHTSA with the new procedures, and the list is made up of both brand new models and some of the more popular nameplates Americans seem most likely to purchase in large numbers next year. You can check out NHTSA’s official release and the initial list of what cars will be subjected to this new testing regime after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Crash Testing