With the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY, BMW Individual Manufaktur once again sets new standards in design and technology. In particular, the use of genuine meteorite material on the controls and captivating details such as the hand-stitched headliner attract immediate attention. The story behind what is one of the most precious materials in the universe makes the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY an exciting study of achievement.
Dabei ist das nur eines von vielen Elementen, die den „NIGHT SKY“ so aufregend und einzigartig machen. Vielmehr ist es die Summe der Möglichkeiten von BMW Individual, von der individuellen Nahtgestaltung der Innenausstattung bis hin zum Einsatz völlig neuer Materialien und Fertigungsverfahren, die den beispiellosen Reiz des Luxus-Sportwagens ausmachen.
But that’s just one of many elements that make the NIGHT SKY so exciting and unique. It is the sum total of what BMW Individual makes possible, from the individual seam design of the interior to the use of completely new materials and manufacturing processes, that account for the unprecedented appeal of this luxury sports car.
3D printing – thought through.
3D printing – thought through.
As well as the use of genuine meteorite material, 3D printing is one of the defining elements of the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY. It is often understood as a processing method for plastics, but – with the appropriate know-how – other materials like aluminium and metal alloys can also be used.
This special form of 3D printing, called ‘additive manufacturing’, has finally arrived in the automotive industry. Now it’s here, unique models, prototypes and motor sports vehicles with the highest demands on individuality and performance can benefit from the almost limitless possibilities of this revolutionary technology. With the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY, the engineers and designers of BMW Individual Manufaktur have impressively demonstrated exactly what those possibilities can achieve.
The perfect visual object.
For more than 25 years, BMW Individual Manufaktur in Garching near Munich has been setting new standards for high-quality components, exclusive special models and spectacular one-offs – making it the ideal place to pioneer this revolutionary technology. 3D printing enables BMW Individual to offer further tailor-made solutions and create an almost inexhaustible potential for new design possibilities.
The BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY is the latest example of those possibilities, embodying a new dimension of luxury and striving for absolute uniqueness in design and material selection. Its aesthetics are characterised by craftsmanship and uncompromising quality. The use of 3D printing signals its pioneering spirit and engineering artistry and – together with the meteorite, special paintwork and high-quality leather components – ensures maximum exclusivity.
The striking appearance of the meteorite material could almost look as if it was created artificially. However, the unique pattern is actually of natural origin and occurs exclusively in cosmic projectiles like meteorites. The pattern, named after the Austrian scientist Alois von Beckh-Widmanstätten and first described by him in 1808, cannot be reproduced naturally on Earth. It is only created under very specific circumstances, when a molten alloy of iron and nickel cools by about 1 degree Celsius every 1,000 years, in conditions where there is very little gravity. In other words, this is one of the most unique materials in the universe.
Close to the stars.
Remarkably, the Widmanstätten surface pattern doesn’t only adorn the areas of the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY where real meteorite material is used. Despite the non-reproducible conditions for the creation of Widmanstätten surface patterns on Earth, BMW Individual has succeeded in recreating their uniqueness.
Externally, components sporting the characteristic meteorite pattern, such as the exterior mirror caps, the front splitters for the side air intakes and the surrounds for the air breathers on the front side panels, are particularly eye-catching. The key to this ambitious task was 3D printing, with a team of around 15 experts successfully turning the NIGHT SKY’s bold vision into reality.
When searching for the right method to implement its ambitious goals, the Additive Manufacturing Centre of the BMW Group in Munich opted for the stereolithography technique. This is a special process that, rather than simply applying one layer of the material, uses a UV ray laser to make the component layer by layer, inside a tank containing a liquid resin sensitive to UV rays.
Captivating skies.
Perhaps the most exciting exterior feature of the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY is its paint finish. It captures the unique beauty and grace of the blue hour – the period of twilight in the morning or evening – and transfers it to this sports coupé’s elegant body. This study in achievement impressively demonstrates the almost limitless possibilities and experience that BMW Individual Manufaktur offers when dealing with custom finishes.
The work on the paint finish could not be done in one day. After a complete coating in black and white, Johann Bogner, an expert painter with 40 years of experience, did not apply San Marino Blue until the second day and let it drain off precisely in a smooth transition. The NIGHT SKY was then coated with three layers of clear lacquer with fine tinsel and bronze pigments to create light reflections that reproduce the sparkle of the stars in a dark night sky.
Of course, Bogner didn't want to miss the presentation of this unique model once it was finished, travelling to BMW Individual Manufaktur in Munich specially to see it.
Rethinking the brake caliper.
Rethinking the brake caliper.
The innovative brake calipers, with a bionic design inspired by nature, set a technical highlight among the vehicle’s many highlights. They were developed in close cooperation with BMW Motorsport and push the extremes in two respects: design and weight.
Just like in nature, additive manufacturing meant that only material actually needed for operation was used in the brake calipers. The result is a striking structure very similar to that of bone – one that would not have been possible using the traditional casting process.
This intelligent lightweight design reduces weight by up to 30 percent compared to conventional components, in an area of the vehicle where kilos weigh particularly heavily: the unsprung mass. Reducing the unsprung mass is one of the key factors in achieving maximum driving dynamics and comfort.
Another advantage: Using the 3D printing process, brake fluid channels can be directly integrated into the aluminum brake calipers of the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY. This integral design increases the rigidity of the entire component and simplifies assembly. Here too, the limits of the conventional casting process have been far surpassed.
Pushing the boundaries.
Pushing the boundaries.
3D printing redefines the limits of what is possible in the design of components for a vehicle’s interior and exterior. The technology marks the intersection of design, function and programming. In contrast to conventional printing processes, the additional dimension creates plastic components that can be produced cost-efficiently, despite their high complexity and small quantities.
Additive manufacturing comprises a whole series of similar processes. What unites them is the basic process of creating a component. The components are built up layer by layer, no matter whether by classic 3D printing with melted filament, stereolithography or complex laser sintering.
The future is Individual.
One of the advantages of the 3D printing process is the high quality of the results. In addition, they enable a completely new level of flexibility and dynamics in the production of individual and particularly powerful components. New ideas and concepts can be realised much faster than with conventional production processes.
Pioneering a new era.
Are 3D printed components for BMW NIGHT SKY still science fiction? Or, instead, will aluminium brake calipers made with additive technology soon be ready for mass production? The answer currently lies somewhere in between. On one hand, the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY acts as a glass ball that offers us a glimpse into the future. On the other, its brake calipers are still in the development and testing department – and so far the tests are encouraging.
One thing is certain: the BMW Individual M850i NIGHT SKY is an uncompromising achievement, a truly unique specimen – and as such absolutely not for sale. And yet it reflects the true realisation of BMW Individual's exclusive customer service, and its passion for implementing very special customer requirements.
