This is a link post.

the giga press

Tesla decided to use large aluminum castings ("gigacastings") for the frame of many of its vehicles, including the Model Y and Cybertruck. This approach and the "Giga Press" used for it have been praised by many articles and youtube videos, repeatedly called revolutionary and a key advantage.

Most cars today are made by stamping steel sheets and spot welding them together with robotic arms. Here's video of a Honda factory. But that's outdated: gigacasting is the future! BYD is still welding stamped steel sheets together, and that's why it can't compete on price with Tesla. Hold on, it seems...BYD prices are actually lower than Tesla's? Much lower? Oh, and Tesla is no longer planning single unitary castings for future vehicles?

I remember reading analysis from a couple people with car manufacturing experience, concluding that unitary cast aluminum bodies could [...]

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Outline:

(00:06) the giga press

(01:51) aluminum die casting

(03:35) aluminum vs steel

(05:25) this shouldnt be a thing

(08:29) why was this a thing

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First published:
August 21st, 2024

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/nZcb9TTyneFbxiDav/the-giga-press-was-a-mistake

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

“the Giga Press was a mistake ” by bhauth

LessWrong (30+ Karma)