"Single Piece Casting" - Does it matter to the consumer?

[ratsbew]

So apparently the Model Y's split casting is now one piece. Does it matter to us as drivers or is it mostly an efficiency improvement / cost savings at the factory?

Will it lead to better body panel fitment since the whole casing should be straight and true?

 

[Uncle Paul]

Most benefits would accrue to efficiencies of manufacturing.

 

[laughMan]

Most benefits would accrue to efficiencies of manufacturing.

agree. but i am curious how much lighter the model Y is compare to the old 2-piece rear?

if it shaved off 100-200 lbs, that is significant!
It would affect the range, 0-60 times, and tesla may need to retune the rear suspension.

 

[ratsbew]

I'd guess it's less than 10 pounds lighter. The two piece needed the bolts and mounting flange cast in to each piece.

 

[Hrtme]

It'll cost more to repair that's not a plus to consumers, it's a plus to manufacturering.

 

[Tedkidd]

Sandy Munro did some great videos on this on youtube.

 

[NCC81701]

It'll cost more to repair that's not a plus to consumers, it's a plus to manufacturering.

I see this a lot but if a crash is severe enough that the rear casting is jacked, the car is probably totaled regardless if it’s a one or two piece casting.

 

[Clark_Kent]

At this time there's marginal benefit to the consumer. By reading all of these threads about folks nerding out over single piece casting would have you think otherwise.

 

[mark95476]

I'm sure it has benefits for drivers like reduced weight and body stiffness.

The upfront tooling cost are huge so I don't think Tesla will actually see savings for a while even with the reduced manufacturing complexity.

So apparently the Model Y's split casting is now one piece. Does it matter to us as drivers or is it mostly an efficiency improvement / cost savings at the factory?

Will it lead to better body panel fitment since the whole casing should be straight and true?

 

[thx1139]

It simplifies, quickens, and costs less to manufacture. This means it will lower the cost (eventually) for a consumer to purchase. For the rare person who is in an accident where insurance doesnt total the vehicle it will cost insurance company more to repair.

 

[mark95476]

Kinda funny, but so typical of anything Tesla..

- Tesla introduces an incredibly expensive manufacturing improvement that no other OEM can provide ==> garners little to no attention

- Tesla has a strap on the LCC on early builds ==> massive thread(s) with trolls piling in, goes viral

At this time there's marginal benefit to the consumer. By reading all of these threads about folks nerding out over single piece casting would have you think otherwise.

 

[Mardak]

Does it matter to us as drivers or is it mostly an efficiency improvement / cost savings at the factory?

Potentially the introduction of the single piece casting allowed Tesla to offer both the Standard Range and Seven Seat Interior options. Unclear when existing AWD/Performance models will see the benefits (likely with price reduction?)…

Elon Musk did say this is "engineering nerd stuff" not really for the average person, but it has a really big effect on ease of manufacturing so costs are much less and "30% reduction in the size of the body shop."

 

[Uncle Paul]

Monro indicated a huge benefit of the castings is to significantly shorten the length of the assembly line. Far fewer welding robots and faster to build. Fewer employees as well.

 

[TespaceX]

Basically means slightly cheaper for Tesla to build, maybe leading to a slightly cheaper purchase price for a consumer. But, more expensive for consumer to get repairs.

It simplifies, quickens, and costs less to manufacture. This means it will lower the cost (eventually) for a consumer to purchase. For the rare person who is in an accident where insurance doesnt total the vehicle it will cost insurance company more to repair.

Show me that it is rare for an insurance company to deem a car as total loss. Especially with new cars, the repair estimate most time has to be over 90% of value for it to be deemed a total.

 

[mark95476]

Aside: There's lots of value in a Tesla that is deemed a total loss. It'd be nice if the owner had the option of keeping and striping it for parts instead of surrendering it for the insurance money.

Show me that it is rare for an insurance company to deem a car as total loss. Especially with new cars, the repair estimate most time has to be over 90% of value for it to be deemed a total.

 

[Kevin-rf]

Btw. The latest drone video of the giga-press area in Freemont shows stacks of two different large castings. I would hazard a guess that we are now looking at both front and rear single piece Model Y castings.

Visible around 4:30

 

[GeorgeC1]

That has to be the most chaotic manufacturing facility I have seen. Much of it is tents. Junk and trash are everywhere. Tesla needs to fire the plant manager yesterday! It’s a wonder they can produce cars.

 

[Watts_Up]

That has to be the most chaotic manufacturing facility I have seen.
Much of it is tents. Junk and trash are everywhere.
Tesla needs to fire the plant manager yesterday!
It’s a wonder they can produce cars.

I guess you never seen an oil refinery..

 

[RubberToe]

Btw. The latest drone video of the giga-press area in Freemont shows stacks of two different large castings. I would hazard a guess that we are now looking at both front and rear single piece Model Y castings.

Visible around 4:30

I watched it, but it wasn't clear how long each casting took. Any idea?

RT

 

[Kevin-rf]

People have been commenting 3 minutes (when you factor in a 8x speedup on the video speed as noted in the video)