Motion and control system for new BMW engine plant

BMW's all new engine plant will use an integrated motion and control package consisting of control systems, servo drives, hydraulics and pneumatics, supplied by Rexroth

BMW's all new engine plant, constructed on the site of the old Ham's Hall power station, will produce up to 400,000 four cylinder petrol engines per year.

With a forward thinking design philosophy which reaches all areas, the company is using the latest integrated team working management techniques and state of the art technology throughout.

This thinking led BMW to use Rexroth to supply an integrated motion and control package consisting of control systems, servo drives, hydraulics and pneumatics.

BMW were thus assured of seamless product and communication protocol across the motion and control system.

A key factor in Rexroth winning the contract was a co-ordinated approach with one-person contact.

The quality of Rexroth products and an exceptional service and warranty were also important.

The Hams Hall engine plant consists of two huge interconnected buildings housing the Assembly shop and the Machine shop with its 700m production lines.

The very scale of the venture makes it essential to have faultless communication and also to reduce the number of components needed to maintain the equipment and lines.

Rexroth ensured that at least 80% of parts used came from the core component project book, thereby streamlining maintenance, servicing and stocking of parts.

Supplying the equipment was only part of the story.

Rexroth not only offered the perfect solution for the equipment that BMW needed, but also came up with an excellent support deal.

The contract includes a five-year warranty and a full package of spares.

Rexroth has also supplied training to BMW personnel and comprehensive test rigs from Indramat, Hydraulics and Pneumatics for training purposes.

The development of the new engine plant has presented both BMW and Rexroth with the chance to break new ground in supplier / customer relationships - a challenge relished by both and summed up by Chris Mark, the Manufacturing Operations Manager for Machining at Hams Hall.

"This is a fantastic opportunity.

It's a greenfield site and offers every chance to significantly move the BMW business forward on a showcase site.

The process of specifying equipment has also been a very good demonstration of the teamwork at BMW, mirrored by the seamless operation of Rexroth.

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