BCW start next phase of work for major OEM Jaguar Land Rover

With a major contract awarded back in November 2018, BCW could not have predicted what a challenging period was about to hit the automotive sector.  Covid and Brexit have presented huge challenges with significant reduction of customer schedules, mainly due to semi-conductor issues within the global supply chain which has put continued constraints on sales volumes across the automotive industry. 

BCW are extremely proud to have ridden the storm and finally initiate the new Jaguar Land Rover programme for their prestigious automotive customer. BCW's Centre of Excellence was purpose-built to support the programme for an iconic British car manufacturer across the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles.  They have seen the growth of a dedicated automated manufacturing line, bespoke inspection equipment and a TiZr Passivation Surface Treatment developed to customer specification, totalling a £6.6 Million investment.

BCW supported full design for manufacture and has had input on all 12 parts ensuring a smooth transition from concept to delivery.  BCW's history of working with aluminium and specifically extruded parts has given BCW the expertise to support this package of work. These key components are CNC machined, assembled and TiZr treated and finally shipped to Jaguar Land Rover for final build across multiple vehicle platforms including Internal Combustion Engines, Battery Electric Vehicles and Special Vehicle Operation. The aluminium extruded parts include components for Body in White (BiW), Crash Structure Extrusions and Front End Carriers (FEC).

BCW’s automated assembly lines are backed up by manual assembly processes with a full Poke Yoke and Vision feature detection system with fully integrated laser part marking. Speaking to Scott Houghton, Head of Robotics and Automation, about the bespoke engineering solution and vision system they have installed for their customer, he tells us more.

“The new BCW production cells have been built with versatility, flexibility, and repeatability in mind. To provide this all of our machining cells are fully exchangeable between 11 of the part numbers. This provides flexible setting to meet ever changing customer demand in the current volatile times. Robotic grippers have been installed on a quick-change method to assist production teams with quick changeover between components. In process laser part marking identifies each component for process traceability. This is then inspected via in process vision for presence of all machined features. We have also worked very closely with an in-group partner to install new cutting-edge technology by means of a collaborative robotic assembly system. This allows operator and robot to work hand in hand safely through the process.”  

BCW continue to invest under the semi-conductor challenges, supporting our customers through this time and until the supply chain recovers. As a UK Manufacturer, BCW works with customers as a Tier One supplier offering fully vertically integrated manufacturing solutions and can assist in reshoring back within the UK.