DT Pupils Explore Cutting-Edge BMW Mini Factory | Epsom College
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DT Pupils Explore Cutting-Edge BMW Mini Factory

Our GCSE DT pupils visited the Mini Factory in Oxford, the UK's centre of excellence for BMW Mini production

Design Technology pupils visited the Mini museum containing vehicles from 1913 to the present day. The factory, in Oxford, now produces the Mini Hatch in three and five door format, alongside the newly revised Mini Cabriolet.

Following the visit to the museum, pupils had a guided tour of the main areas of the manufacturing production line – and the 1,248 robots, each costing £27,000 which produce the ‘body in white’ vehicle shells before they move into the assembly plant where the Mini is assembled to a bespoke customer order. Each stage carefully receives its assembly parts, using the sophisticated just-in-time manufacturing process. Pupils were amazed to learn that at the various stations, each operative has just 67 seconds to complete their stage. The tour ended watching a Mini coming off the production line at a rate of 1000 per day.

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the visit and gained a valuable insight into a major manufacturing plant, incorporating the latest techniques and sophisticated technology – using lean technology and systems.