In the pursuit to redefine vehicular manufacturing, Tesla (TSLA) is gearing up to introduce a groundbreaking technology known as "gigacasting 2.0" aimed at dramatically reducing the production costs of its electric vehicles (EVs). This novel approach, anchored in Tesla’s “unboxed” manufacturing strategy, leverages colossal presses to shape the significant sections of a car, potentially reducing the component parts in an EV's underbody from about 400 to a single piece. According to insiders, this innovation is pivotal in Tesla's ambitious plan to roll out tens of millions of affordable EVs in the forthcoming decade while maintaining profitability. As Tesla closes in on this innovation, the anticipation grows regarding the specific dynamics and composition of the modular blocks used in the manufacturing process.
Central to this radical approach is the utilization of large-scale molds designed and tested for mass production, incorporating intricate structures that enhance both the vehicle’s weight distribution and crash safety features. This process has involved global collaboration with specialists from countries including Britain, Germany, Japan, and the United States, with developments centering on the use of 3D printing and industrial sand to create these molds. Despite the significant costs and risks associated with creating larger structures, Tesla is forging ahead, seeking to revolutionize the industry standards by optimizing the process of molding parts, potentially reshaping automotive manufacturing timelines and cost structures.
One of the defining aspects of Tesla’s innovative journey is the pioneering use of sand casting facilitated by 3D printers, a method that significantly truncates the design validation cycle and minimizes costs compared to traditional metal mold prototypes. Companies like Desktop Metal and its unit ExOne are instrumental in this process, enabling Tesla to adapt and reprint prototypes within hours, thereby accelerating the developmental cycle and fostering greater flexibility and efficiency. This technological leap holds the promise of reducing car development time from a period spanning years to a matter of months, marking a significant milestone in the automobile industry’s advancement.
However, Tesla's stride in revamping its manufacturing process is met with considerable hurdles, especially in crafting subframes within the car underbody. The existing aluminum alloys used in production have displayed inconsistency in meeting Tesla’s standards for crashworthiness and other attributes when used in sand molds. To navigate this, specialists have devised new alloy formulations and refined the molten alloy cooling process, with a focus on post-production heat treatment. As Tesla ventures into the production of smaller cars, the industry watches with bated breath, eager to witness whether the company will decide to employ high-pressure techniques for enhanced productivity or opt for slow alloy injection methods to guarantee quality and versatility in their upcoming line of affordable EVs.
