A car's body panels give it its shape and supply aerodynamics.
Among all of the components that go into building a car, the body is one of the most visible and important parts. An auto body does much more that simply give a car its basic shape. At the same time, auto body technicians must maintain and repair damaged bodies to keep cars performing as they should.
Purpose
A car's body server several different purposes. The first of these is aesthetic, giving the car its basic shape and providing a base for the paint job and trim. An auto body also protects the mechanical components of the car, including those below the vehicle, under the hood and concealed within door panels and the dashboard. The body of a car also protects the passengers from the environment. Finally, it produces an aerodynamic shape to make the car move through the air more efficiently and quietly.
Design
The design process for designing auto bodies has continued to evolve along with automotive technology. While early designers used models and wind tunnels, today auto body designers have access to high-tech software that can simulate the performance of a digital model and allow the designer to make subtle changes to improve appearance or aerodynamics. Designers also use lasers to scan physical models and turn them into digital models, or computer-aided design (CAD) tools to turn a design into the full-size body panels needed for the construction process.
Materials
Automakers have used many different materials in autobodies over the years. Steel is among the most common, providing strength and low cost but susceptible to rust. For a time during the mid-20th century, wood was a popular material for panels and trim on some cars and trucks. More recently, fiberglass and plastic body panels have appeared on economy cars or sports cars to reduce their weight and improve performance of fuel economy. Carbon fiber is among the latest autobody innovations, combining great strength and low weight but at a considerable cost.
Appearance and Construction
A car's body typically consists of a series of panels, each of which is attached to the frame. So-called unibody designs combine the frame structure and exterior body in a single piece, using the frame itself to provide structural rigidity to the body. Auto bodies made from any material are typically primed, painted and coated with a protectant layer. Wax and polish, along with regular cleaning, are the best ways to keep an autobody looking its best.
Repair
Auto body repair is a major part of the auto business. Repair technicians use special tools to remove, reshape and replace body panels on cars that have been involved in accidents or succumbed to rust. A frame machine is a computer-controlled tool that uses a series of pumps to reshape a twisted frame and body. Auto body technicians also use hammers and anvils to reshape metal body panels by hand. Finally, they apply body filler materials to any dents or crevices, sanding them smooth and painting over the damage to restore the car to its original appearance.
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