Audi 2013 Annual Report Download - page 56

A finish that is as sporty as it
is exclusive : The quilting on the
seats of the Audi RS 6 Avant
takes its cue from the design of
the radiator grille.
Each compressor wheel is only installed once
it has undergone four final inspections
using high-precision 3D measuring equipment.
Audi also sets the benchmark for precision with the seat
upholstery in the RS 6 Avant. Manufactured from an Alcantara/
leather combination or entirely from leather, the upholstery
is embellished with special diamond or honeycomb quilting.
Positioning the seams of this unusual pattern perfectly at the
intersection points requires a huge amount of development
expertise and experience in using leather due to the material’s
sensitive natural properties. The cleverly designed sewing
machines must be programmed exactly in order to prevent the
sensitive material from distorting on account of the tiniest
imperfection.
The compressor wheel is further testimony to Audi’s unerring
principle of top quality down to the last detail. This relatively
small component is installed in the turbocharger of a TDI
engine and has to fit with micrometer accuracy if it is to meet
the exacting demands placed on resilience and durability.
The manufacturing process used is point milling, which entails
milling off surplus material from the blank, point by point.
While it is a slow production technique, it is the only option
given the complex shape of the workpiece and the required
precision.
Audi and its partners rise to these challenges as part of their
passionate attention to detail. There are often only a few
qualified suppliers worldwide for even the most unassuming
of components. These suppliers, like thousands of others,
have made it onto Audi’s exclusive list of suppliers – a list
that stands for uncompromising quality and represents a
strong team.
PHOTOS : AIKOKU, BOXMARK, AUDI AG, Jim Rakete
Fuel consumption and emission figures at the end of the Annual Report
THINK VALUABLE
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