Giga Press

Giga Press
Die Casting Machine #2 at Tesla Factory, Fremont, 2020
ClassificationHigh-pressure die-casting (HPDC)
IndustryMetal casting
ApplicationCar chassis production
Dimensions19.5 m × 5.9 m × 5.3 m
64 by 19 by 17 feet
Weight410–430 tonnes
900,000–950,000 lb
Fuel sourceElectric
Powered
  • 2 × 132kW motors[1]
  • 4 × 90kW motors[2]
Invented~2018
Examples
Model
  • OL 9000 CS (Idra)
  • OL 6100 CS (Idra)
  • DCC 6000 (LK)

The Giga Press program is a series of aluminium die casting machines manufactured for Tesla, initially by Idra Group in Italy. Idra presses were the largest high-pressure die casting machines in production as of 2020, with a clamping force of 55,000 to 61,000 kilonewtons (5,600 to 6,200 tf).[2][3] Each machine weighs 410–430 tonnes (900,000–950,000 lb).[2][3]

Base specification Giga Press machines were included in Idra's catalogue in 2018.[4] Tesla began using a custom OL 6100 CS Giga Press in late-2020 for integrated die-casting production of chassis parts for the Tesla Model Y.[5]

Shots of molten aluminium weighing 80 kilograms (180 lb) are injected into the cold-chamber casting mold with a velocity of 10 metres per second (22 mph; 36 km/h).[6] The cycle time is ~80–90 seconds,[2] allowing an initial output rate of 40‒45 completed castings per hour, or ~1,000 castings per day.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference idra-catalogue-201906 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference ol5500cs-20190604 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "OL 6200 CS" (PDF). Technical data sheet. Idra. 4 June 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020. Clamping force: kN 61.000; Ton 6.218 … Tie bar spacing: mm 2350x2350 … Tie bar diameter mm 470 … Max. shot weight (Al alloy): kg 104,6 … Dry Cycles (as per DIN 24480) n/1' 1,3 … Pumps motors power; kW 4x90 … Machine weight: Ton 430 … Machine dimensions (LxWxH): m 19,5x5,9x5,32
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference ferrario-20181011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference visnic-20200602 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference amafond-20180201 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).