How It’s Made London Taxis

How It's Made Show

23 Apr 201605:24

Summary

TLDRThe iconic London black cabs, known for their robustness and accessibility, are meticulously crafted with hydraulic presses forming chassis components and spot welding assembling the body. Equipped with a 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, these taxis feature an 8.5-meter turning circle for easy maneuverability. The manufacturing process, from chassis assembly to painting and final testing, takes approximately two weeks. London's taxis, not always black, are designed for wheelchair accessibility and can accommodate five seated passengers, offering a unique transportation experience.

Takeaways

🚖 The iconic London black cabs are internationally recognized symbols of British culture.
🏗️ The modern black cab was first introduced in 1948 and currently, there are around 20,000 operating in London.
🔧 The cabs are designed to be robust, capable of withstanding approximately 50,000 km of driving each year.
🛠️ The manufacturing process involves heavy machinery, such as presses that can exert up to 800 tons of force to shape the chassis.
🔩 The taxis are assembled with a cruciform structure, providing strength and durability to the vehicle.
🚗 They are equipped with a 4-cylinder direct injection turbo diesel engine for reliable performance.
💺 The design accommodates passengers with reduced mobility, featuring a flat floor and high roof for easy access.
🖌️ The taxis undergo a meticulous painting process, with an anti-corrosion coat, primer, and multiple layers of paint for a polished finish.
🔍 Quality control is严格, with inspections for paint defects and water leaks, ensuring each cab is watertight and ready for service.
🔄 Despite their size, London black cabs have a tight turning circle of 8.5 meters, allowing for easy maneuverability in the city.
♿️ The taxis are wheelchair accessible, with features like an access ramp and fold-down seats for inclusive transportation.

Q & A

What is the significance of the black cabs of London?
-The black cabs of London are internationally recognized British icons and are considered by many as the best taxi system in the world. They are also a tourist attraction in themselves.
When were the modern Black Cabs first introduced in London?
-The modern Black Cab was born in 1948.
How many black cabs are there on the streets of London today?
-There are about 20,000 black cabs in the streets of London.
Why do the cars need to be robust in the London taxi system?
-The cars need to be robust because a taxi can easily be driven 50,000 km each year.
What is the process used to form the steel panels for the taxi chassis?
-Operators position steel panels into a press which uses hydraulics and air pressure to fold them. The press can apply up to 800 tons of force to form each chassis component.
What type of engine does the taxi use and how is it installed?
-The taxi uses a 4-cylinder direct injection turbo diesel engine, which is hoisted in with the gearbox.
How are the components of the taxi's body assembled?
-Welders assemble the components of the taxi's body using a spot welder, which clamps the sheets together and concentrates electric current into a small spot to melt the metal and form the weld.
What is unique about the design of the taxi's interior for passengers with reduced mobility?
-The taxi's interior is designed with a completely flat floor and a high roof, allowing passengers with reduced mobility to easily enter and exit the vehicle.
What is the purpose of applying an anti-corrosion coat and a gray primer to the taxi's body?
-The anti-corrosion coat and gray primer are applied to the taxi's body to protect it from corrosion and to provide a base for the final color paint.
How is the taxi's paint job checked for quality after it is applied?
-Each painted car moves to the polishing room where technicians check for any dirt, runs, dry spray, or other paint defects under bright lights, and then carefully polish the car.
What is the mandatory turning circle for the taxis and why is it important?
-The mandatory turning circle for the taxis is 8.5 meters curb to curb, which allows them to easily perform u-turns despite their large size.
How long does it take to build a single taxi and what is the final step before it hits the streets?
-It takes about 2 weeks to build a taxi. The final step before it hits the streets is a thorough testing process, including water tests, brake tests, and a driver test at different speeds.

Outlines

00:00

🚖 Manufacturing London's Iconic Black Cabs

The script details the production process of London's black cabs, which are renowned worldwide. It begins with the historical context, mentioning the modern Black Cab's inception in 1948 and the current fleet size of around 20,000. The script then delves into the manufacturing process, highlighting the robustness required due to the high annual mileage. It describes the use of hydraulic and air pressure to form steel panels into chassis components, capable of withstanding up to 800 tons of force. The assembly of the chassis with a cruciform structure is explained, followed by the installation of the engine and other mechanical components. The body construction involves spot welding of sheet metal, and the script emphasizes the accessibility design for passengers with reduced mobility. The painting process, including anti-corrosion coating, primer, and final color application, is outlined. The script also covers the final assembly, testing, and the unique features that allow these taxis to navigate London's streets effectively.

05:02

📢 Engaging with the Show's Audience

The second paragraph shifts focus from the manufacturing process to audience engagement. It invites viewers to share their thoughts on the show and suggest topics for future episodes. The script provides a website, www.howitmade.com, where viewers can interact with the show's creators. This segment serves as a call to action, encouraging viewer participation and feedback, which is crucial for the show's continuous improvement and relevance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Black Cabs

Black Cabs refer to the iconic London taxis known for their distinctive black color and curved lines. They are an internationally recognized symbol of British culture and are often considered a tourist attraction in themselves. In the video, the Black Cabs are highlighted as a testament to the robustness and classic styling that make them a staple on London's streets, with about 20,000 in operation.

💡Hydraulics

Hydraulics is the technology that uses pressurized fluids to transmit power for various types of mechanical work. In the context of the video, hydraulics is used in the process of manufacturing the Black Cab's chassis components. The script mentions a press that uses hydraulics and air pressure to fold steel panels into the three-dimensional shape required for the vehicle's structure.

💡Chassis

A chassis is the internal framework that supports the body, engine, and other components of a vehicle. In the video, the construction of the Black Cab's chassis is detailed, showing how side rails are assembled and welded together to form the base structure of the taxi. This is crucial for the vehicle's durability and performance, as it needs to withstand the wear and tear of extensive city driving.

💡Turbo Diesel Engine

A turbo diesel engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses diesel fuel and is equipped with a turbocharger for increased power and efficiency. The video script describes the installation of a 4-cylinder direct injection turbo diesel engine in the Black Cab, which is essential for providing the necessary power for these robust vehicles while maintaining fuel efficiency.

💡Spot Welder

A spot welder is a device used in metal fabrication that joins pieces of metal by melting them at specific points. In the video, spot welders are used by welders to assemble the sheet metal components of the taxi's body. The process involves clamping the sheets together and concentrating an electric current to create a strong bond, which is vital for the structural integrity of the vehicle.

💡Anti-Corrosion Coat

An anti-corrosion coat is a protective layer applied to metal surfaces to prevent rust and corrosion. The video mentions that the Black Cab's body is covered with an anti-corrosion coat before being painted, ensuring the vehicle's longevity and resistance to the elements, which is particularly important given the harsh conditions vehicles often face in urban environments.

💡Paint Application

Paint application is the process of applying a coat of paint to a surface, which can serve both aesthetic and protective purposes. In the video, the Black Cab's body is painted after being warmed to 50° C using infrared lamps, which facilitates easier paint adhesion. The script also notes that not all London taxis are black, indicating a variety of colors can be applied to meet different specifications or preferences.

💡Polishing

Polishing is the process of smoothing a surface to achieve a shiny, reflective finish. The video describes the polishing room where technicians inspect and polish the painted car to ensure a flawless finish. This step is crucial for the final appearance of the Black Cab, as it removes any imperfections and provides a professional, high-quality look.

💡Water Test

A water test is a procedure used to check for leaks and ensure the watertight integrity of a vehicle. The script mentions that each Black Cab undergoes a water test to inspect for leaks around the glass and doors. This is an important step in the manufacturing process to ensure the vehicle's reliability and safety, especially in wet weather conditions.

💡Wheelchair Accessibility

Wheelchair accessibility refers to the design features that allow people using wheelchairs to easily enter and exit a vehicle. The video highlights the Black Cab's accessibility features, such as an access ramp and fold-down seats, which make it easier for wheelchair users to board the taxi. This体现了 the video's theme of showcasing the Black Cab as a vehicle designed with both functionality and inclusivity in mind.

💡Turning Circle

The turning circle, or turning radius, is the minimum space required for a vehicle to make a U-turn. The video script mentions the Black Cab's mandatory 8.5-meter curb-to-curb turning circle, which allows the large vehicles to maneuver easily in tight urban spaces. This feature is particularly important for a taxi operating in a busy city like London, where space can be limited.

Highlights

The black cabs of London are internationally recognized British icons.

London taxi system is considered by many as the best in the world.

A taxi ride in London is more than transportation; it's a tourist attraction.

The modern Black Cab was introduced in 1948.

There are approximately 20,000 black cabs operating in London.

London taxis are designed to be robust, with an annual mileage of up to 50,000 km.

The manufacturing process involves hydraulics and air pressure to form steel panels.

The press used can apply up to 800 tons of force to shape chassis components.

Welders assemble the chassis by joining side rails with a cruciform structure.

The taxi is powered by a 4-cylinder direct injection turbo diesel engine.

The body components are assembled using spot welding with copper electrodes.

The taxi's design allows for easy entry and exit, especially for passengers with reduced mobility.

The body is coated with anti-corrosion and primer before being painted.

Not all London taxis are black; some are painted in other colors like yellow.

The polishing room is equipped with bright lights to check for paint defects.

The 'For Hire' sign is bolted to the roof with a rubber seal to prevent water leaks.

The front windshield is carefully placed using rubber suction pads.

The taxis have a mandatory 8.5-meter turning circle for easy maneuverability.

Each taxi undergoes a water test to check for leaks around the glass and doors.

The taxi is designed to accommodate wheelchairs with an access ramp and fold-down seats.

It takes approximately two weeks to build a single taxi.

The show invites comments and suggestions for future topics at www.howitmade.com.