The document summarizes the automation processes used in Tesla's Model S assembly line. It discusses how 98% of the aluminum body is assembled using a tandem press line and robots install side parts. It also describes the painting process which includes pretreatment, primer, base, and clear coats. Finally, it notes that while automation is used, some tasks like door and panel installation still require manual work and that over-automating simple tasks can increase costs.

1. Tesla Model S
Assembly Line
How Tesla use Automation
to produce its Model S?

3. Overview
● Body Assembly
○ Raw Materials
○ Tandem Press Line
○ Undercarriage
● Painting Process
● Production of the Electric Motor
○ Bonus: An Automated Sewing Machine
● Problems in Automation

4. Body Assembly

5. Body Assembly
● 98% Aluminum
● Aluminum sheet is transferred to
the stamping press

6. Body Assembly
● 98% Aluminum Body

7. Raw Materials
● Production starts with raw materials
● Aluminum coils, 50 - 60 different types

8. Raw Materials
● First step is Decoiling
● Blanking Machine
● Then Laser Cutting the sheets

9. Tandem Press Line
● 1 part every 6 seconds

10. Tandem Press Line
● Sheets are flow through the conveyor belt to the Forming Press

11. Tandem Press Line

12. Body Assembly - Tandem Press Line

13. Body Assembly

14. Undercarriage

15. Undercarriage
● CMT - Cold Metal Transfer Welding

16. Joining Methods
● Cold Metal Transfer Welding
● Conventional Spot Welding
● Structural Adhesive
● Self Piercing Rivets
● Delta Spot Welding System

17. Body Assembly
● Side part positioned to the robot manually

18. Body Assembly
● Robots install side parts

19. Body Assembly

20. Body Assembly - Manual Work
● Door installment
● Front panel installment
● Inspection

21. Painting Process

22. Pretreatment

23. Pretreatment
● Basically a bath for the car in a giant dishwasher
● Get rid of unnecessary materials on body

24. Coating
● Once cleaned, the body receives a corrosion resistant electrolytic coating
○ Primer coat
○ Base coat
○ Clear coat

25. General Assembly

27. Smart Cart Robot

28. Smart Cart Robot

29. Smart Cart Robot
● Every car travels the factory by itself

30. Seat Assembly Robot

31. Seat Assembly Robot

32. Seat Assembly Robot
● Change its point

33. Seat Assembly Robot
● Apply adhesive

34. Seat Assembly Robot

35. Problems in Automation

36. Problems
● Over automation
● Complex structures for easy tasks
● Sometimes cheaper to pay an employee than the automation cost

37. Thank You.