Hey, so what exactly does it take to build and design a vehicle? Our next pit
stop is at Automotive Engineering, well is it just cars and crankshafts, well no
not exactly it's a lot more than that and it's not just bikes and buses either
it is a massive industry worth over 1.7 trillion dollars. So, what does an
Automotive Engineer actually do then? Well good question, by using mechanical,
electrical, structural software, and safety engineering, Automotive Engineers
design and build vehicles based on a number of requirements. But what exactly
is design? It's the model of a car right? Yes it is the model, but how do we get there?
I mean, is it a beautiful supercar with ceramic brakes with varied spaced
holes to allow for a higher operating brake temperature? Or a family car that
allows for not only large crumple zones but high speed automated braking that
can foresee an accident? How about lorries needing large storage
space and to be reliable enough to carry huge loads over long distances without
breakdowns, now this is what the design is!
It's being able to know what the driver wants whilst optimizing technology to
get the most out of a vehicle. So, after we know exactly what we want, the fun begins.
Testing the heat, the cold, rain, humidity,
millions of test miles, wind tunnels that would lift you off your feet, a testing
process that adds decades of age onto a vehicle in just weeks. This is the
dedication of the engineer, testing everything, checking requirements are met
and then testing it again. Now we are ready to begin production whoo-hoo !!
Through the use of robots and automation, we are able to produce vehicles fast,
economical and to a set design - vehicle after vehicle. We have come a long way
since Henry Ford invented the assembly line, but the principles are still very
much the same and this is exactly what an engineer needs to design.
There are many factors that they need to take into account, from bringing tolerances down to
micrometers, to the very sequencing of how we're going to actually build the car
What comes first? This is all whilst reducing costs,
production time, and coordinating a global market of components, distributors,
manufacturers whilst eager drivers await their new vehicles. And there are the
hyper cars uncompromised on performance, specialist cars precisely combining the
combination of exotic materials such as carbon fibre and magnesium, to reduce
weight allowing for a more responsive driving experience, maximizing every last
component to yield incredible speeds and cornering ability. Now this is what an
engineer does! Achieving designs that mark new milestones in the automotive
industry. So what about the future of the automotive industry? Engineers right now
are working on ways to reduce the impact that vehicles have on the environment, by
squeezing every last drop of fuel from cars with, extreme weight shedding
through to removing engines and replacing them with their electric counterparts -
motors and batteries. We are really pushing the boundaries. You could
be working with Formula one cars, engines which are so delicate that they can't
run when cold, warm oil and water is pumped through the components to allow
the metals to expand just a little, which allows them to rotate and run normally,
absolutely incredible! Or you could be part of a team that are developing the
next vehicle that can travel across the continent without stopping for a recharge.
Wow!! So what exactly does an Automotive Engineer do? Well, they strive
to achieve perfection in each vehicle they design and build, every bolt,
every panel, every gap, down to millimeters, they have little tolerance for mistakes you see.
The automotive industry is changing so fast and it's so exciting!
This video is one of many in Aveea's aim to increase the awareness and knowledge of
the world around us, visit aveea.org for more information on how you could get
involved in Automotive Engineering. Best of luck!