im curious about something that one of the factory workers here (like screwbuilder) that assembles the F-150 could answer. what do the people do to assemble the trucks? i know a lot of it is done by machine, so what exactly do you guys have to do? also how long does it take for one truck to be completed from scratch? i heard somewhere that for a mustang it takes 22 hours to be completely built and completed.

thanks for your time

 

anyone?

 

I am curious too. I know there is a lot of manpower involved and it couldn't be done without them.

Looking forward to a reply

 

I'll answer you as best I can having worked in and out of a few assembly plants and spending a few weeks working on the assembly line.

The vehicles are built by human and machine.

The powertrain, metal body assembly, and paint parts of assembly are HIGHLY automated. In the powertrain operations there is a lot of in place machinery. In body and paint there are plenty of programmable robots for spraying and welding.

But 99% of the rest of assembly is human. This being all the interior and exterior parts that are not metal and all the electrical/mechanical connections underneath the vehicle and underhood. Most connections are designed to snap in by hand, using some kind of clip or pushpin. This decreases the amount of time it is in the plant, and decreases the cost of your truck. If there are tools most in these applications are pneumatic screwdrivers/nutrunners.

The "22 hours" is only counting assembly time at the final assembly plant. This does not include parts that come in pre-built. Like Engines, Transmissions, Stampings, IP's, Modules, Axles, Seats, and the like. I think a lot of the plastics are automated, as well as the hydro-formed frames.

I think the F150 is higher then 22 hours, somewhere in the 25-30 range.

-ii

 

Good answer IzInBloOm. Anyway, Look at the interior, every piece of plastic is installed by hand. Even the dash is put together piece by piece. Most of the robots are used in the body shop. All the sheet metal is stamped at another plant and then shipped to the assembly plant. It is then put together piece by piece. All welds are done by robots. As an example of other things done by humans, put your tailgate down, the strap bolts are done by human, the latch, latch rod are put together and installed in the tailgate by humans, the straps, access panel, latch, striker, taillights, tiedowns, all done by humans. The aliens are the ones who act like they do something, order us around, hand us our paychecks, etc...etc.

 

Thanks for all the great work you guys and gals do in making a wonderful truck. I am 100% satisfied and thrilled with mine.



Mike

 

i didnt realize human did that much of the truck. i thought machines did all the wiring and all that type of stuff. i didnt know that people dont have to weld a thing on it, thought some of the welding was done by man.

thanks for the info.

 

Well, there are probably hundreds of welds on each truck. It's hard to get good consistant welds with human operation and also each employee only has about 60 seconds to do their job on each truck.

 

screwbuilder, do you recall seeing my truck going down the line on Monday? (Dk. Toreador & AZ beige 4x4 Lariat)

Does each individual have one specific thing that you do all day, or do you switch jobs every few hours?

I hope you did an extra good job on mine

Seriously, considering the unbelievable amount of rigs that roll out the door, you guys/gals do an outstanding job!

 

Hey, I did see your truck and I put a "**** on Nissan" sticker on the back window.

 

I'd love it if you really did!!!!

 

I do find it sort of cool that we have members on this site that actually build the vehicle.

I am a picky SOB and so far I have been very happy with this truck.

Kudos to the people that put them together. You should be proud.

 

Screwbuilder , what do you do at the plant ? What is your job title?How long have you been working there?

 

Well, let's see......We start at 6:30AM I work in the trim department, but I don't want to say exactly what I do. As far as job title, i am just an autoworker. I build a small part of the truck. I have worked there about 5 years.

 

Is it possible to get a tour of the factory? If so please give me info..I work a a ford dealer it that matters. Thanks PS I love my truck.