How the Tesla Model S is Made | Tesla Motors Part 1 (WIRED)

00:04:54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_lfxPI5ObM

Summary

TLDRThe manufacturing process of the Tesla Model S involves a sophisticated assembly line that begins with raw aluminum coils. These coils are uncoiled, flattened, and cut into blanks using blanking machines, including laser tools. These blanks are then formed into panels in press lines. The body assembly takes place in a centralized body shop where various joining methods, such as adhesive and welding, are utilized. Once the fully assembled body is painted using advanced robotic systems, it moves to the final assembly where automation plays a crucial role in the assembly of interior components and installation of glass. Overall, the process emphasizes efficiency and the future of manufacturing technology.

Takeaways

  • 🔩 The assembly process begins with raw aluminum coils.
  • 🏭 Specialized machines cut and flatten metal into blanks.
  • 🤖 Advanced robotics are used throughout the manufacturing process.
  • 🎨 The painting process involves multiple robot-assisted steps.
  • 👷‍♂️ Five different joining methods are utilized for the body shell.
  • 🕒 The entire assembly takes three to five days.
  • 🚗 The Model S body is fully assembled in a centralized body shop.
  • 🔄 Versatile robots perform multiple tasks, from installing seats to glass.
  • ✅ The facility promotes constant improvement and efficiency.
  • 🌏 This factory exemplifies the future of automotive manufacturing.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:04:54

    从制造的角度来看，特斯拉Model S的组装过程显著不同于其他车辆。该过程始于原材料，使用各种铝线圈，通过专用的平板机进行展开和切割，形成平整的金属片（称为毛坯），并利用激光技术和巨型压机形成车身零件。这些成品零件随后被运送到车身中心，在这里进行组装，包括底盘、车身侧面和前端的结合。车身中心采用五种不同的连接方法，如粘合剂、自穿孔铆钉和多种焊接技术，完成的车身准备进入涂装阶段，经过严格的机器人涂装流程后，车身变得光洁美观。之后进入总装车间，利用先进的自动化和机器人技术，对整车进行从内部到外部的组装，大大提升了生产效率。特斯拉的设计工程师和自动化机器人使得从原材料到最终产品的周期仅需三到五天，展示了制造业的未来和创新。

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What materials are used in the assembly of the Model S?

    The Model S is primarily assembled using different types of aluminum.

  • What methods are used to join the body shell?

    Five different methods including adhesive, self-piercing rivets, cold metal transfer, resistance welding, and delta spot welding.

  • How long does it take to assemble a Model S from raw materials to finish?

    It takes about three to five days to go from raw materials to the finished vehicle.

  • What is the role of robotics in the assembly process?

    Robots are used extensively for tasks like painting, body assembly, and handling car components such as seats and windshields.

  • How is the paint applied to the vehicle bodies?

    The paint is applied using robots in a controlled environment, with multiple layers including primer, base coat, and clear coat.

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  • 00:00:02
    from a manufacturing standpoint the way
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    we assemble this car the way we put it
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    together all of this is essentially very
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    different from another car
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    [Music]
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    the model s process stages it all starts
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    with raw material
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    we have coils of aluminum different
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    gauges different types of aluminum maybe
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    50 60 coils
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    [Music]
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    we start the process by uncoiling the
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    coils in a special machine we call
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    blanking machine that allows to flatten
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    the metal person and cut it into flat
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    pieces we call them blanks in addition
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    to traditional blanking tools we're
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    using laser
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    and then with these species we feed them
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    to the press lines these gigantic dyes
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    and the press lines essentially form
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    the panels you know boom
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    [Music]
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    we are getting all of the parts
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    necessary to make the body of the
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    vehicle out of those gigantic machines
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    and then all of these parts as they are
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    finished so to speak are brought to the
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    body shop
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    [Music]
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    the role of the body center is to take
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    all the stamping panels that we make and
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    we bring all that together in one
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    central location
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    and that's where we actually put the
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    model s together
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    we'll start we do an underbody which is
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    the main floor system of the car
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    and then from there we'll move to body
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    sides that's the internal reinforcement
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    as well as the outer skin
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    and inside the framing area we take the
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    body sides the underbody and the front
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    end of the car and we actually marriage
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    it all together
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    [Music]
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    one of the most unique things about this
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    body center is we actually have five
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    different overall joining methods for
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    the body shell we use adhesive
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    we use self-piercing rivets we have cold
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    metal transfer
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    conventional resistance welding as well
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    as a new delta spot welding system
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    when a body leaves the body center it's
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    actually a full completed body shell
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    ready to be prepped and painted
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    you have a gigantic robot that takes the
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    body and put into a conveyor it is
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    conveying to the paint shop
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    you have multiple pre-treatment primer
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    base coat clear coat
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    all of this is supplied with robots that
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    have a special ability to paint in a
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    very clean environment
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    you get a beautiful painted body that's
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    coming to general assembly where we have
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    these super elegant robots we call smart
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    cart where every car is essentially
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    moving through the factory by itself
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    it follows a magnetic strip and
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    essentially the car is being assembled
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    from inside out
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    [Music]
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    we're utilizing automation to the
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    fullest we have a variety of robots from
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    the the teenager ones to huge one that
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    are able to move the entire body
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    [Music]
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    itself one of the robot that i i'm
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    always very impressed to look at is the
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    one that puts the seats inside the model
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    s
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    and the same robot is able to change
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    tools go from a seat handling device to
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    putting the windshield
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    actually grab the windshield put some
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    glue around it and then put the winching
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    onto the car as well as do the rear
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    glass of the vehicle so talk about
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    versatility here
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    we have most everything we need right
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    here in house we do the majority of our
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    stamping panels ourselves
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    we have design engineers here at the
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    facility so we're very nimble and very
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    quick at what we do
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    currently it takes about three to five
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    days for modelers to go from raw
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    material all the way to being finished
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    on the bamboo line
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    it's magnificent it's like a piece of
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    art
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    we constantly try to improve process
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    efficiency we want to push the
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    boundaries of what can be done by robots
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    versus humans so it's a constant
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    evolution
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    this tesla factory is the future of the
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    usa and the world that's the way i see
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    it
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    [Music]
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    we are building the future here that's
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    how proud i feel about this
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    [Music]
Tags
  • Tesla
  • Model S
  • manufacturing
  • automation
  • robotics
  • assembly process
  • aluminum
  • body shop
  • painting
  • joining methods