The last place you would think you’d find children’s bouncy balls is in the production of automotive parts. In this case, Ford parts.
Well, if your imagination does not provide you with an answer to what this is about, here’s the scoop: Ford recently tossed 1,000 bouncy balls into a testing machine, not for fun but to demonstrate just how rough life can be for auto parts before they ever make it onto a vehicle.
The colorful chaos unfolded at Ford’s Shipping Equipment Design and Test Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Daily, engineers there simulate the shaking, rattling and occasional abuse parts endure while traveling by truck, train, ship and plane. The bouncy ball technique demonstrates that shipping isn’t always gentle.
Inside the lab are massive vibration tables and impact rigs designed to mimic real-world punishment. Engineers even use actual route data so the tests reflect what happens on specific shipping lanes.
If something is likely to bounce, slam, skid or shift during a cross-country trek, they want to know about it before thousands of real parts are on the move.
Why go to all this trouble?
Damaged parts can slow assembly lines, raise costs and create quality headaches. A cracked housing or dented component might seem minor, but multiply that by thousands and you have a serious problem. Better to discover weaknesses in packaging during a controlled “bouncy ball rodeo” than during production.
So, yes, using bouncy balls as a way to illustrate the rigors transported goods (Ford automotive parts, in this case) endure during movement to and from a factory is a big deal. Helping protect vehicle parts from the real world’s bumps, bangs and bruises will help save manufacturers and consumers a lot of headaches.
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RVT1250b
Ford’s next recall: bouncy balls left in inside components!
Laughs..thanks I needed that!
Enjoyed but was hoping for a link to the source.
Hi, Jim. Here’s a link to a Ford article about the bouncy balls. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you for this entertaining distraction, RV Travel. Have a great week and safe travels.
It must really be hard on trailer light and brake software!