A Childhood Dream Turned Reality

This morning I woke up with the eager feeling that a young child experiences on Christmas morning. I slipped on my shoes, brushed my teeth, and ran down the stairs to join the rest of the group. The E3 program was off to the BMW Factory today for a guided tour through the plant.

As we arrived at the plant, the excitement only continued to grow. Large glass buildings filled with perfectly crafted automobiles embodied our line of sight. We met with our tour guide and began our journey throughout the technical world of BMW. The press shop was the first stop, where we found fifty-ton machines producing 1000 tons of force upon flat sheets of zinc-coated steel. It molded the steel into the exclusive contour found in each aspect of a BMW. As each part took shape, Kuka robots spot-welded each piece to its partner. My eyes began recognizing familiar features of cars I adored.

After thousands of machine-performed spot-welds, the car was ready for the paint shop. The body-in-white frame, a frame consisting of only steel, entered a room full of robotic painters ready to fill each crevice with BMW’s unique water-based paint. Five layers of paint and a clear coat prepared each car frame for the elements of the outside world. After finding its true color, the frame continued along the assembly line towards the place of sacred marriage. Here, the frame entered a lifelong partnership to the drivetrain of the vehicle, a bond incapable of divorce. Finally, the car began to resemble the piece of artwork it was.

A final stuffing filled the car with electronics, seats, a dashboard, and all other components that prepared it for its last inspections. The dyno-meter assured the technicians that this piece of German engineering was ready to conquer roads around the globe. Finally, the car was driven to the factory floor, where it would await the arrival of its owner.

As a student studying Mechanical Engineering, this factory tour reminded me that each part of my schooling is essential to my future career. The projects, homework, and tests all seem easier when you can see the job of your dreams first hand. I am determined that one day down the road I, too, will be able to own a Bavaria Motor Work’s vehicle of my own.