Body-in-White (BIW)

Body-in-white is the stage of car manufacturing in which stamped panels and other structural parts are joined into the vehicle's body structure, before painting and before trim, powertrain and other components are fitted.

In the body shop, sub-assemblies such as the front structure, floor and body sides are built and joined, then brought together in a framing or geometry station that fixes the main body structure, including the roof. Further stations add welds, closures such as doors, bonnet and boot lid, and metal finishing. Joining methods include resistance spot welding, laser welding and brazing, self-piercing rivets, clinching, flow-drill screws and structural adhesives. Definitions vary on whether closures are counted as part of the BIW.

The BIW determines the vehicle's crash structure, stiffness and dimensional accuracy, which in turn affect safety, noise and the fit of every later component. Body shops are among the most highly automated areas of a plant, with large numbers of industrial robots.

Dimensional quality is monitored with inline optical measurement stations and periodic coordinate measuring machine audits, and joint quality with destructive tests and ultrasonic checks. Mixed-material bodies combining steels and aluminium require suitable joining methods and corrosion protection. Electric vehicle platforms add battery enclosures and new load paths that change body shop processes.

Key points

Joins stamped panels and parts into the body structure before paint
Framing stations fix the main body geometry
Joining includes spot welding, laser welding, rivets and adhesives
Inline measurement and audits monitor dimensional quality

Where AiVibe comes in

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Body-in-White (BIW)

Key points

Where AiVibe comes in

Related terms

Terms that refer to Body-in-White (BIW)