Unassembled fender quarter panels stainless steel parts on Giga Texas factory floor

[Deleted member 17810]

If we look at the rear fenders pictures, it's fairly clear from the mounting brackets that they are not intended to carry bed load.

You can see the black right angle plates with holes for fasteners are not in the direction of the torsional loads, and would simply bend that mounting bracket instead, regardless of if it was adhered to the wall or not. For it to do something structurally, it would have to be attached to the rear wall of the cabin so that it can adsorb tension and compression forces across the top diagonal of the panel. Like the diagonals of the cast structure. Those little tabs on the top of the panel won't cut it, and are instead just there to attach and adjust the panels to the BIW frame.

Also if there were any more meaningful attachment points under the panel, then they would only be able to reach and attach to the cast, but not the cabin frame, meaning once again, the cast is supporting the panel, and not the panel the cast for any load.

The SS fenders obviously still play a vital roll in crash impact protection, which simply compresses the skins to the BIW frame, and offer aerodynamic and wheel coverings etc, but there is no evidence of any meaningful "exoskeleton stainless steel skin" for operational loads to carry vehicle mass, and this idea should finally be laid to rest given the latest images of the rear panels.

I'm not talking about the four small tabs. There are two other larger tabs on the front side.

If you remember from the frunk threads without inner liners.

Laid to rest based on your conjecture. Lol. Good one.

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[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

There appears to be a second 'backing' layer in black as seen in the centre on the wheel arch TDC. This gives us a clue that the brackets shown in the SS underside at the leading edge, could be attachment point to connect with the centre body high strength steel cab at its rear. Perhaps these are large surface area parts glued to the back of the 'exoskeleton' skin.

 

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

The US Mint says two quarters would be 3.5mm, while two pennies would be much closer at 3.04mm.

Maybe we go with two dimes: 2.7mm.

'Frunkly my Dear, l don't give a Dime!'
It's 3mm or BUST. Damn It!

 

[PilotPete]

The US Mint says two quarters would be 3.5mm, while two pennies would be much closer at 3.04mm.

Maybe we go with two dimes: 2.7mm.

How about 11 cents? At 2.87? Or maybe two worn pennies? Those have had to have at least .02mm worn off over time. Especially if you get old pennies that have been in Vegas slots!

 

[rudedawg78]

Hard to live in denial any longer. The coolest thing about the Cybertruck is not a thing. Reality sucks.

It used to be an ugly truck for a good reason, now it's just ugly.

I guess if the dual motor price is close to the original price and it has rear wheel steering, I'll still get it.

In reality, rear wheel steering is more useful than light armor. Those panels make me sad though.

In your eyes, if there is not a single thing cool about the Cybertruck, then why get it? Just get your $100 back.

It sounds like you are going to "suffer through it" if you get your dual motor variant.

 

[HaulingAss]

Also, if it were thinner material, it'd be folded over at the edge, hiding the thickness.

-Crissa

Except full-hard stainless steel cannot be rolled back upon itself, even if thinner than anticipated. It's too hard.

 

[HaulingAss]

If we look at the rear fenders pictures, it's fairly clear from the mounting brackets that they are not intended to carry bed load.

Um, no. The stainless steel skins were never intended to carry the entire load, it's always been a sandwich type of construction where the skin stiffens the underlying structure. Anyone who understands manufactured structures understood that from the beginning. That's how an airplane, which is the analogy used by Elon, carries the load applied to the airframe. The skin is only part of the structure.

The wheels and suspension were never going to be attached to 3mm stainless steel sheet metal as the only structure. The skin of a commercial airliner is just thin aluminum, yet it adds incredible strength to the rest of the exoskeleton. But the previous year has informed me that you are not willing to be informed.

 

[Deleted member 17810]

Except full-hard stainless steel cannot be rolled back upon itself, even if thinner than anticipated. It's too hard.

Aren't they using a special blend.

 

[HaulingAss]

Aren't they using a special blend.

Yes, that's what Tesla has said, but a variation of 304 ss is not going to be enough to allow 180 degree bends if it's cold-rolled to full hard condition.

 

[Coolbreeze704]

In your eyes, if there is not a single thing cool about the Cybertruck, then why get it? Just get your $100 back.

It sounds like you are going to "suffer through it" if you get your dual motor variant.

I think Eye of Elon like us all have been on this journey a long time. When you hike the full Appalachian trail you can look back after and be excited about the journey but there are days during that journey you HATED the trail and wished you could quit.
I think we can give E of E some compassion. Hang in there Eye

 

[anionic1]

When the decision to go with front and rear castings was made, the monocoque body idea was abandoned, and along with it the 3mm stainless exterior. The castings provide all the structural strength needed, and the combined weight of casting and 3mm stainless was too high. Am I disappointed? Maybe a little, but it won't change my purchase decision.

Wow, those are a some assumptions. The recent close up videos do seem to show the exterior being around 3mm. Internet videographers keep forgetting to carry their calipers with them. And I would like to see your engineering resource that confirms the castings provide all the strength needed.

I have been one of this sites biggest sceptics about the term exoskeleton, but Tesla engineers are not fools and they will not waste the strength of those exterior SS panels. They surely sized those castings as a composite frame with the SS panels glued and/or attached to them.

 

[anionic1]

My boys in the "zoom and enhance" lab have confirmed that it's 3mm!

A solid chicken feather quill is about 3mm and I know chickens when i see them! Its 3mm!

 

[anionic1]

Goddamn Gen Z, DOES NO ONE CARRY A DIAL MICROMETER ANYMORE

I carry a harbor freight one everywhere I go. Its tolerance is +/- 1mm so its taught me to be more forgiving in life. I think by the time the CT is in my driveway its tolerance will be +/- 2mm so i will be more forgiving of the panel gaps.

 

[NoTime]

Also, if it were thinner material, it'd be folded over at the edge, hiding the thickness.

-Crissa

I was just thinking this. What other consumer vehicle has body panels thick enough and stiff enough that they can be cut and chamfered instead of being hemmed to give them stiffness?
I bet this thing feels like a tank.

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