Body in White
Encyclopedia
Body in white or BIW refers to the stage in automotive design or automobile manufacturing
in which a car body's sheet metal components have been welded together — but before moving parts (doors, hoods, and deck lids as well as fenders) the motor, chassis sub-assemblies, or trim (glass, seats, upholstery, electronics, etc.) have been added and before painting.
The name derives from manufacturing practices before steel unibody or monocoque
bodies — when automobile bodies were made by outside firms on a separate chassis with an engine, suspension, and fenders attached. The manufacturers built or purchased wooden bodies (with thin, non-structural metal sheets on the outside) to bolt onto the frame. The bodies were painted white prior to the final color.
A folk etymology for Body in White suggests the term derives from the appearance of a car body after it is dipped into a white bath of primer
(undercoat paint)— despite the primer's actual gray color.
In car design, the Body in White phase refers to the phase in which the final contours of the car body are worked out, in preparation for ordering of the expensive production stamping die
. Extensive computer simulations of crash worthiness
, manufacturability, and automotive aerodynamics
are required before a clay model from the design studio can be converted into a Body in White ready for production.
Factories may offer BIW cars to racers, who then may replace up to 90% of the car with aftermarket parts. Frequently racers must apply to purchase one of these cars.
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
in which a car body's sheet metal components have been welded together — but before moving parts (doors, hoods, and deck lids as well as fenders) the motor, chassis sub-assemblies, or trim (glass, seats, upholstery, electronics, etc.) have been added and before painting.
The name derives from manufacturing practices before steel unibody or monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
bodies — when automobile bodies were made by outside firms on a separate chassis with an engine, suspension, and fenders attached. The manufacturers built or purchased wooden bodies (with thin, non-structural metal sheets on the outside) to bolt onto the frame. The bodies were painted white prior to the final color.
A folk etymology for Body in White suggests the term derives from the appearance of a car body after it is dipped into a white bath of primer
Primer (paint)
A primer is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.-When primers are used:...
(undercoat paint)— despite the primer's actual gray color.
In car design, the Body in White phase refers to the phase in which the final contours of the car body are worked out, in preparation for ordering of the expensive production stamping die
Die (manufacturing)
A die is a specialized tool used in manufacturing industries to cut or shape material using a press. Like molds, dies are generally customized to the item they are used to create...
. Extensive computer simulations of crash worthiness
Crash test
A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crashworthiness and crash compatibility for various modes of transportation or related systems and components.- Types :...
, manufacturability, and automotive aerodynamics
Automotive aerodynamics
Automotive aerodynamics is the study of the aerodynamics of road vehicles. The main concerns of automotive aerodynamics are reducing drag , reducing wind noise, minimizing noise emission, and preventing undesired lift forces and other causes of aerodynamic instability at high speeds...
are required before a clay model from the design studio can be converted into a Body in White ready for production.
Factories may offer BIW cars to racers, who then may replace up to 90% of the car with aftermarket parts. Frequently racers must apply to purchase one of these cars.