Building the Model S

MS-201a

This course is presented as part of Evannex Universitya free, open learning environment that presents concise, video-based mini-courses for those who have interest in electric vehicles (EVs)

The factoryMade in the USAfactory in Fremont, CA, capable of building 400,000 cars per year5.4 million square ft, 380 acre campus with test trackrobotics and automation dominatebuild bodies, motors, and batteries

In the introductory mini-course in the Model S curriculum track we discussed two tesla Motors factories briefly,the automobile factory and the planned battery factory.. In this mini-course, well focus our attention of the automobile factory,and in a later mini-course, well consider the battery factory, nicknamed the gigafactoryLet summary our earlier discussion:>> The Model S is made in the USA.Tesla Motors purchased an empty car factorythe NUMMI plantfrom Toyota for $42 million in 2010>> the factory is located in Fremont, CA and is capable of building 400,000 cars per year>> it encloses 5.4 million sq ft, and sits on a 380 acre campus with test track>> robotics and automation dominate the factory, >> where Tesla builds bodies, motors, and batteries

The GigafactoryThe growth of EV is constrained bybattery capacityavailability of high capacity batteriesTesla is building a Gigafactory$4 - 5 billion investmentaccommodate battery needs for 500,000 EVs per year2020 output = 50gWh / year

Source: Hybrid Car Report

>> The growth of EVs is constrained by>> battery capacity which limits the range of electric vehicles,>> and the availability of high capacity batteries that will be in short supply as the number of vehicles sold grows>> To solve both problems, Tesla is building a Gigafactory in Nevada with a >> $4 - 5 billion investment>> The gigafactory will accommodate battery needs for 500,000 EVs per year>> with a projected 2020 capacity output of 50 giga-watt-hours per yearThe Gigafactory is currently under construction. When completed it will produce Li-Ion cells and full battery packs. For those of you who are unfamiliar with battery fabrication technology, spend a few moments taking EVU mini-course, EV-210, which covers the subject in some detail.

The NUMMI PlantProduction rate for the Model S2013: 22,0002014: 35,0002015: ~ 50,000Plant upgrade in 2014

But back to the automobile plant itself. The NUMMI plant was completely re-outfitted after its purchase in from Toyota in 2010. >> Production rate for the Model S has grown steadily.>> in 2013: 22,000>> in 2014: 35,000>> in 2015: ~ 50,000>> In order to meet growing product requirements and the need to accommodate Model S variants and the new Model X, the plant was upgraded in 2014

In Teslas own words advanced robots can lift and maneuver entire cars with optimum precision while taking up less room our new robots will even be able to install battery packs in the cars, reducing installation time from four to two minutes. cars now move down the assembly line as associates work on them, enabling a streamlined and more consistent workflow. The line is now running at about 1,000 cars a week with the potential for significantly more with minor adjustments.

Source: http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/factory-upgrade

As a consequence of the plant upgrade, Tesla Motors has increased both manufacturing efficiency tend production throughput. Here are a few excerpts from the Tesla Motors website:

>> advanced robots can lift and maneuver entire cars with optimum precision while taking up less room>> our new robots will even be able to install battery packs in the cars, reducing installation time from four to two minutes.>> cars now move down the assembly line as associates work on them, enabling a streamlined and more consistent workflow. >> The line is now running at about 1,000 cars a week with the potential for significantly more with minor adjustments.

How the Model S is madeThere have been a number of good on-line videos that describe the Tesla Motors automobile factoryWired: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_lfxPI5ObMNational Geographic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7J-tlrkVEETesla Motors (factory upgrade): http://www.teslamotors.com/videos/tesla-factory-upgradeThe Science Channel program How Its Made has a spin-off program entitled How Its Made/Dream Carsone episode was dedicated to the Tesla Motors plantin the next part of this mini-course, you have an opportunity to watch the video

The normal EVU presentation style is inadequate to fully describe the Tesla Motors production approach.Therefore, a video presentation is necessary.>> There have been a number of good on-line videos that describe the Tesla Motors automobile factory>> Wired presents a two part behind the scenes look at the factory, presented in the words of Teslas designers, engineers and workers>> National Geographic presents an outstanding documentary that provides excellent insight in the factory>> Tesla Motors provides a brief, but engaging, video of their factory upgradeAll can be viewed at the links shown on your screen>> In addition, The Science Channel program How Its Made/Dream Cars dedicated on episode to the Tesla Motors plant>> In the second part of this mini-course, you have an opportunity to watch the video

a free study guide for all EVU mini-courses is available for download from our website For a complete list of mini-courses and the study guide, visit: www.evannex.com

OlharesRouletBeats d'Amor, track 12014-05-18T14:02:41118051.055OlharesRouletBeats d'Amor, track 12014-05-18T14:02:41118051.055