Foundation Structures

CHALLENGE

Giga Press is an aluminum die casting machines manufactured by Idra Group in Italy – . notable for being the largest high-pressure die casting machines in the world. In April 2020, Elon Musk announced that two Giga Press machines had been purchased by Tesla, to enable casting the Tesla Model Y rear chassis and crash rails as a single “unibody” component.

Tesla needed to enclose these giant machines and provide the enclosing structure with a foundation that could withstand the rigors of both the Hayward Fault and soils liquefaction that exist in Tesla’s Fremont, California headquarters area.  

SOLUTION

Tesla turned to the experts at VOLO Events Agency and their VOLO Structures Division to both design and install a heavy-duty foundation featuring 5.5-inch, 42-foot long SP-6 helical piles.

VOLO successfully completed the project in just two days, exceeding Tesla’s aggressive schedule requirements – and allowing the Giga Press building project to complete on time.

RESULT

“Will be amazing to see it in operation! Biggest casting machine ever made.” 

-Elon Musk 

VOLO designed, engineered, delivered and installed a complete foundation for Tesla, doing so quickly and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional foundation. VOLO Structures division sServices included: budgeting, scheduling, design, engineering, foundation design, welding, predrill, foundation engineering, complete sealed drawing sets, construction, surveying, and specialized installation labor.

Amidst crew, and site COVID restrictions, the project was completed accident free thanks to VOLO’s meticulous standards and complete compliance to California regulatory code, including CAL-OSHA, throughout the duration of the build.

The result? A successful installation that will help Tesla increase production facility and improve build quality.

PRESS

Tesla begins Giga Press manufacturing at Fremont factory, first sighting in action (teslarati.com) 

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