15 Questions
What is the purpose of research and development in car manufacturing?
To find out what drivers want
What type of drawings do industrial designers create?
Detailed technical drawings
What is the purpose of building a prototype?
To see how all the different parts of the car fit together
What technology dominates modern car manufacturing?
Computer technology
What is the function of sensors in modern cars?
To detect information such as fuel and air intake and temperature
What is the purpose of the onboard computer in modern cars?
To monitor and adjust engine performance
What does ABS stand for?
Anti-lock Braking System
What was the total number of vehicles driving on the world's roads by 2014?
1 billion
How many new cars are added to the roads every year?
50 million
What is a major problem caused by the large number of cars on the road?
Air pollution and city center congestion
How do modern cars reduce pollution?
By using computer controls to cut down exhaust emissions
What is the purpose of testing car shapes in a wind tunnel?
To test the car's air resistance
What feature of modern cars helps to reduce air resistance?
Streamlined, or aerodynamic, shapes
What happens when air collides with the sharp corners of box-shaped cars?
A mess of disturbed swirls is created
What is a challenge for car manufacturers?
Developing new ways to power cars
Study Notes
Car Design Process
- Many people contribute to the creation of a new car, including design engineers, production engineers, and researchers.
- Car manufacturers research the market to find out what drivers want before releasing a new model.
- Designers use paper sketches, wireframe images, and full-size clay models to develop a car's design.
- Industrial designers create detailed technical drawings using computer-aided design (CAD) programs.
- CAD programs show the final shape of the car and allow manufacturers to make changes to the design easily.
Prototype Development
- Once the design is set, a manufacturer builds a prototype full-size model of the car.
- The prototype is tested for safety, comfort, roadholding, engine response, and overall performance.
- The prototype helps manufacturers see how all the different parts of the car fit together.
Modern Motoring
- Modern car manufacturing is dominated by computer technology.
- Computer-controlled engines monitor performance and keep the car working with maximum efficiency.
- Sensors detect information such as fuel and air intake, engine temperature, and other data.
- The onboard computer makes continual adjustments to the car's running based on this data.
- The computer also controls features like airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to ensure safety.
Car Manufacturing Statistics
- By 2014, there were over one billion vehicles on the world's roads.
- More than 50 million new cars are added to the roads every year.
- The huge number of cars on the road contributes to air pollution and city center congestion.
Environmental Concerns
- Manufacturers are making cars with engines that create less pollution.
- Computer controls help cut down exhaust emissions.
- Smart sensors in the engine control unit monitor fuel consumption to ensure emissions are kept within an acceptable range.
- Modern cars are built with streamlined, aerodynamic shapes to reduce drag and air resistance.
- The shape of the car is tested in a wind tunnel to ensure minimum drag.
- Smooth, long, low cars push through the air more easily, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Learn about the car design process, from research and development to production, involving design engineers, production engineers, and market research.
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