Italian aluminium casting machine manufacturer Idra, a key supplier to Tesla, has expanded its customer base by securing deals with Ford, Hyundai, and a European automotive company. These automakers are exploring the use of gigapresses, massive casting machines that Tesla has pioneered for producing large single pieces of vehicle underbodies. Gigapresses enhance production efficiency, reducing the workload for robots.
These casting machines create front and rear underbodies integrated with battery packs to form a three-piece chassis for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). During an industry event, Idra showcased its "gigapress 6,100," which exerted a clamping force of over 6,000 tonnes and featured the Ford brand.
Additionally, Idra has been testing an even larger gigapress, the "9,000," which is the company's largest and newest model, without revealing the client's name. However, a source familiar with the matter disclosed that it would be shipped to the Hyundai group, and both the Ford and Hyundai gigapresses would initially be used for research and development purposes.
Furthermore, IDRA is on the verge of finalizing a supply contract for two 9,000-ton gigapresses with a premium European automaker, marking its first collaboration with a European automotive group. It's becoming standard for car manufacturers to use six gigapresses for an annual production target of 500,000 vehicles.
Idra has delivered 14 gigapresses to Tesla, including two 9,000-ton units for Tesla's production of the large Cybertruck at its Austin, Texas plant. The company has received orders for a total of 25 gigapresses, with 21 already produced and shipped, including to leading Tier 1 parts manufacturers.
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