10/15/2014 - Tech Talk - Engine Series: Part 1

Ty · Oct 19, 2014

Let's not forget most of the parts that are going into the Elio and the engine have already been engineered and tested six ways to Sunday and are already out there performing in other vehicles.

The computer software for JIT manufacturing is already in place.

Adjustments to the line are already taking place.

electroken · Oct 20, 2014

Jay3wheel said:
If I am not mistaken (which I often am), motorcycles and therefore their engines don't have to reach the same level of pollution control as an auto-engine.

You are not mistaken. If you buy a 2014 Kawasaki KLR650 you'll get a carburetor-equipped engine with no catalytic converter. My 2008 KLR is the same and my nose tells me it's more than unicorns and sunshine coming out the exhaust. Cars left that setup behind in the 1970s.

Jeff Porter · Oct 20, 2014

Ty said:
Let's not forget most of the parts that are going into the Elio and the engine have already been engineered and tested six ways to Sunday and are already out there performing in other vehicles.

The computer software for JIT manufacturing is already in place.

Adjustments to the line are already taking place.

Ty, what's JIT manufacturing? JIT = Just In Time, so is that another name for assembly line manufacturing?

JEBar · Oct 20, 2014

Jeff Porter said:
Ty, what's JIT manufacturing? JIT = Just In Time, so is that another name for assembly line manufacturing?

JIT involves a bit more than that .... it deals with a manufacturing process in which almost no spare parts are stored on site .... items required for the production of the product are ordered and shipped so as to arrive just in time to go down the assembly line .... this process can require some pretty complex logistics coordinating with all suppliers, making sure the correct options for each vehicle are where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be .... its been used by some of the major manufactures in the RV industry in norther Indiana where even delays caused by winter weather has to be taken into consideration

Jim

Charlie G · Oct 20, 2014

JEBar said:
JIT involves a bit more than that .... it deals with a manufacturing process in which almost no spare parts are stored on site .... items required for the production of the product are ordered and shipped so as to arrive just in time to go down the assembly line .... this process can require some pretty complex logistics coordinating with all suppliers, making sure the correct options for each vehicle are where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be .... its been used by some of the major manufactures in the RV industry in norther Indiana where even delays caused by winter weather has to be taken into consideration

Jim

To expand on this, if they ordered enough supplies to - say - run the assembly line a month at a time, potentially they would have to store 2833 of every single part that goes into the vehicle. 2833 engines, 2833 transmissions, 8499 wheels, etc. If they have a week or a day's worth of parts at a time, the amount of storage space is much smaller - potentially nearly eliminating warehouse space altogether with parts going right to their assembly stations when they arrive. Not to mention less capital tied up in inventory that's just sitting there waiting.

harlan stephens · Oct 20, 2014

Interesting jim.
Learned somthing today.
I am on the "jroot"

"Just ran out of time"
And scrambling to get a new rear end built....when the growl became a grind
:-O
I dont recommend it.

JEBar · Oct 20, 2014

Charlie G said:
Not to mention less capital tied up in inventory that's just sitting there waiting.

very true and its a practice that is very much in keeping with EM's commitment to cutting manufacturing cost as much as is possible .... JIT has some major positives but it has some negatives as well .... if one component in the assembly process suffers an unexpected delay, it can gum up the works .... with manufacture not stocking parts, it can really lengthen the time needed for a customer to get a repair/replacement part .... all that being said, its a reality in today's manufacturing process and I don't see that changing

Jim

Bert · Oct 21, 2014

To those who'll be seeing, or talking to, Elio employees concerning the engine being ran until it's done.
Can we suggest a live feed video? I'm one of the nerds who'd put it up here on the computer and sing along with the sounds!!
Think of it as, a gearheads rock music..

ks6c · Oct 21, 2014

JEBar said:
... JIT has some major positives but it has some negatives as well ....

Ahhh, JIT's nasty cousin - AIT - Almost in Time.

JEBar · Oct 21, 2014

ks6c said:
Ahhh, JIT's nasty cousin - AIT - Almost in Time.

company officials earn their keep in making such decisions as how long is appropriate for their company's definition of JIT .... do they want to have components there 1 day in advance, 2 days, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks , ???? .... it also requires close contact with suppliers (which I believe will be a strong point for EM) so as receive notice of any issues with delivery of components as far in advance as is possible .... it helps to have multiple suppliers for any item .... when you only have one source, your operation is at the mercy of their operation

Jim

10/15/2014 - Tech Talk - Engine Series: Part 1

Ty

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electroken

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Jeff Porter

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JEBar

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Charlie G

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harlan stephens

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Bert

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ks6c

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