Handmade kappas....

Tkagem · 04-04-2008, 01:32 AM

I have a very intersting question which i shearched for an answer in the forum but did not find any topic refering to what i am qurius about. I've heared many times that sky/GT are mostly handmade, is that true?

JustMike · 04-04-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tkagem

I have a very intersting question which i shearched for an answer in the forum but did not find any topic refering to what i am qurius about. I've heared many times that sky/GT are mostly handmade, is that true?

Mostly hand assembled. We learned that last year at the plant tour and some lucky folks will get to see that first hand again this May ...

gadget · 04-04-2008, 06:49 AM

They are a low production volume car. So a great deal of the assembly of the car is by hand. As far as hand built like a Ferrari or Rolls Royce. No!

**Ahnuld** · 04-04-2008, 06:53 AM

Maybe "Hand Assembled" is closer to the truth?

The parts are mostly machine/robot made... no one is making the curves of our hoods with a balpeen hammer...

But it did seem clear that as parts were moving around the assemble lines, it was humans putting things together. The only "robots" I remember seeing were to weld the frame

gadget · 04-04-2008, 07:07 AM

I'm not sure what production numbers this year are but if only 20,000 Kappas were built a year that would be roughly 385 a week.So that would still imply that there is quite a bit of automated technology in use.

marlboromike · 04-04-2008, 10:32 AM

the plant tour stated that this facility only had 55 robots...most assembly plants have over 500.

southphillylakes · 04-04-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahnuld

Maybe "Hand Assembled" is closer to the truth?

The parts are mostly machine/robot made... no one is making the curves of our hoods with a balpeen hammer...

But it did seem clear that as parts were moving around the assemble lines, it was humans putting things together. The only "robots" I remember seeing were to weld the frame

They also had robots for the windshields, but the workers place the windshields on the car. I think that was it, robots for welding and windshield.

SkyBaby · 04-04-2008, 01:43 PM

It is an awesome process.... you should see it! SkyBaby

marlboromike · 04-04-2008, 02:05 PM

Now that we r on the topic of Robots...who remembers the movie GOG? Great sci fi movie of the late 50's.

SkyBaby · 04-04-2008, 02:10 PM

not sure I remember.... but I will have to look into it.... I watched alot of movies.. I just may not remember the title. SkyBaby

TulsaSky · 04-04-2008, 03:25 PM

I missed the MECCA tour and will miss it again next month, darn. We did the Corvette Museum Delivery with the vette and that includes the tour that allows you to cross the green line tour of the GM Corvette Plant in Bowling Greens, KY. From what has been posted about the Kappa plant seems they are very similar. The corvette is hand assembled also and the tour for the public behind the green line is only 5 dollars per person. So for those of us that can not make the MECCA tour take a trip to KY and go through the corvette plant it is the ONLY one open to the public. Here is a link for information

National Corvette Museum

TulsaSky

07BLUESTONE · 04-04-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBaby

not sure I remember.... but I will have to look into it.... I watched alot of movies.. I just may not remember the title. SkyBaby

Gog (1954)

built to serve man... it could think think a thousand times faster! move a thousand times faster! kill a thousand times faster ...Then suddenly it became a Frankenstein of steel!

TulsaSky · 04-04-2008, 03:32 PM

I missed the MECCA tour and will miss it again next month, darn. We did the Corvette Museum Delivery with the vette and that includes the tour that allows you to cross the green line tour of the GM Corvette Plant in Bowling Greens, KY. From what has been posted about the Kappa plant seems they are very similar. The corvette is hand assembled also and the tour for the public behind the green line is only 5 dollars per person. So for those of us that can not make the MECCA tour take a trip to KY and go through the corvette plant it is the ONLY one open to the public. Here is a link for information

National Corvette Museum

TulsaSky

Tkagem · 04-04-2008, 04:13 PM

Thank you all for your replies, wish i could see the production myself but the distance is a bit of a problem....Lucky you all!

**JohnD** · 04-04-2008, 04:32 PM

May I recommend that you obtain "The Pontiac Solstice Book" by Gary Witzenberg? It covers the history of the car, and goes into the manufacturing process in detail. It also has a chapter that covers the origins of the Saturn Sky.

You can get it from a variety of places, but KappaSphere is a supporting vendor so I feel good about posting this link:

The Pontiac Solstice Book

It's $34.99 and highly recommended by me for ALL Saturn SKY/Opel GT/Pontiac Solstice owners who want to learn more about their cars...

OPEL-GT · 04-04-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tkagem

Thank you all for your replies, wish i could see the production myself but the distance is a bit of a problem....Lucky you all!

I was thinking the same thing myself.. does anyone have any photos of the production of the kappa? I for one would be very interested in seeing the production process

JustMike · 04-04-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPEL-GT

I was thinking the same thing myself.. does anyone have any photos of the production of the kappa? I for one would be very interested in seeing the production process

Well even though we get to take the tour there is no photos allowed in the plant at all period. Bummer but I'm sure that folks and understand.

OPEL-GT · 04-04-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustMike

Well even though we get to take the tour there is no photos allowed in the plant at all period. Bummer but I'm sure that folks and understand.

Oh dear Never Mind..

Nice belt your wearing though

Buckle DVR Buckle Camera Buckle cam Belt Buckle Video Recorder

SkyPainter · 04-04-2008, 05:59 PM

The paintshop is all FANUC Robots!

SkyBaby · 04-04-2008, 06:21 PM

Just wish they had some with PINK PAINT!!!!!

SkyBaby

**Ahnuld** · 04-04-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlboromike

Now that we r on the topic of Robots...who remembers the movie GOG? Great sci fi movie of the late 50's.

Did they have movies in the 50s?

04-04-2008, 01:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tkagem Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greece Posts: 60 My Photos: (0)	Handmade kappas.... I have a very intersting question which i shearched for an answer in the forum but did not find any topic refering to what i am qurius about. I've heared many times that sky/GT are mostly handmade, is that true?

04-04-2008, 06:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
gadget Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Westminster,Colorado Posts: 515 My Photos: (0)	They are a low production volume car. So a great deal of the assembly of the car is by hand. As far as hand built like a Ferrari or Rolls Royce. No! __________________ '07 2.4 Liter Polar White With Tan Trim L.S. Differential B&G Springs and Dampers,Eibach Stabilizers Dual Filter Fugita CAI SMS BBTB, Vector tune Monsoon Stereo,Six disk changer PDA and 350GB hardrive space for audio

04-04-2008, 06:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ahnuld First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ-TP: Exit 3 Posts: 1,359 My Photos: (1)	Maybe "Hand Assembled" is closer to the truth? The parts are mostly machine/robot made... no one is making the curves of our hoods with a balpeen hammer... But it did seem clear that as parts were moving around the assemble lines, it was humans putting things together. The only "robots" I remember seeing were to weld the frame __________________ Ahnuld SKY RL - Yellow Delivered Nov 17,2006 An early Redline made right after the turbo shutdown, I have powerlocks, but no power seat. 21,000 Miles (as of June 2008). No Issues!

04-04-2008, 07:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
gadget Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Westminster,Colorado Posts: 515 My Photos: (0)	I'm not sure what production numbers this year are but if only 20,000 Kappas were built a year that would be roughly 385 a week.So that would still imply that there is quite a bit of automated technology in use. __________________ '07 2.4 Liter Polar White With Tan Trim L.S. Differential B&G Springs and Dampers,Eibach Stabilizers Dual Filter Fugita CAI SMS BBTB, Vector tune Monsoon Stereo,Six disk changer PDA and 350GB hardrive space for audio

04-04-2008, 01:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
SkyBaby First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere In The SKY! Posts: 7,138 My Photos: (13)	It is an awesome process.... you should see it! SkyBaby __________________ Whats NOT to Love??? I would much rather stand out in a crowd and be noticed than life just pass me by while I am bitter! www.kappascoasttocoast.com www.kustomkaps.com www.flameball.com

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04-04-2008, 10:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
marlboromike First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Marlboro, NJ Posts: 6,897 My Photos: (6)	the plant tour stated that this facility only had 55 robots...most assembly plants have over 500.

04-04-2008, 02:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
marlboromike First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Marlboro, NJ Posts: 6,897 My Photos: (6)	Now that we r on the topic of Robots...who remembers the movie GOG? Great sci fi movie of the late 50's.

04-04-2008, 02:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
SkyBaby First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere In The SKY! Posts: 7,138 My Photos: (13)	not sure I remember.... but I will have to look into it.... I watched alot of movies.. I just may not remember the title. SkyBaby __________________ Whats NOT to Love??? I would much rather stand out in a crowd and be noticed than life just pass me by while I am bitter! www.kappascoasttocoast.com www.kustomkaps.com www.flameball.com

04-04-2008, 03:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
TulsaSky First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Skiatook, OK Posts: 976 My Photos: (2)	Bowling Green, KY I missed the MECCA tour and will miss it again next month, darn. We did the Corvette Museum Delivery with the vette and that includes the tour that allows you to cross the green line tour of the GM Corvette Plant in Bowling Greens, KY. From what has been posted about the Kappa plant seems they are very similar. The corvette is hand assembled also and the tour for the public behind the green line is only 5 dollars per person. So for those of us that can not make the MECCA tour take a trip to KY and go through the corvette plant it is the ONLY one open to the public. Here is a link for information National Corvette Museum TulsaSky __________________ 06 Daytona Sunset Orange Corvette Coupe 06 White Impala FlexFuel LS2-Daily Driver 00 White Silverado Pickup-Daily Driver 64 Sapphire Blue Sunbeam Alpine – restored 07 Midnight Blue Red Line Sky Born 10/9-13 Delivered 11/14/2006

04-04-2008, 03:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
TulsaSky First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Skiatook, OK Posts: 976 My Photos: (2)	Bowling Green, KY I missed the MECCA tour and will miss it again next month, darn. We did the Corvette Museum Delivery with the vette and that includes the tour that allows you to cross the green line tour of the GM Corvette Plant in Bowling Greens, KY. From what has been posted about the Kappa plant seems they are very similar. The corvette is hand assembled also and the tour for the public behind the green line is only 5 dollars per person. So for those of us that can not make the MECCA tour take a trip to KY and go through the corvette plant it is the ONLY one open to the public. Here is a link for information National Corvette Museum TulsaSky __________________ 06 Daytona Sunset Orange Corvette Coupe 06 White Impala FlexFuel LS2-Daily Driver 00 White Silverado Pickup-Daily Driver 64 Sapphire Blue Sunbeam Alpine – restored 07 Midnight Blue Red Line Sky Born 10/9-13 Delivered 11/14/2006

04-04-2008, 04:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tkagem Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greece Posts: 60 My Photos: (0)	Thank you all for your replies, wish i could see the production myself but the distance is a bit of a problem....Lucky you all!

04-04-2008, 04:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
JohnD First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 3,475 My Photos: (73)	May I recommend that you obtain "The Pontiac Solstice Book" by Gary Witzenberg? It covers the history of the car, and goes into the manufacturing process in detail. It also has a chapter that covers the origins of the Saturn Sky. You can get it from a variety of places, but KappaSphere is a supporting vendor so I feel good about posting this link: The Pontiac Solstice Book It's $34.99 and highly recommended by me for ALL Saturn SKY/Opel GT/Pontiac Solstice owners who want to learn more about their cars... __________________ First:"BABY"* Silver Pearl 9 May 06* Then:"SPIRIT"* Black Onyx Red Line 25 Oct 06* Check out My Photos!

04-04-2008, 05:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
SkyPainter Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3 My Photos: (0)	Robots Paint Also The paintshop is all FANUC Robots! __________________ SkyPainter

04-04-2008, 06:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
SkyBaby First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere In The SKY! Posts: 7,138 My Photos: (13)	Just wish they had some with PINK PAINT!!!!! SkyBaby __________________ Whats NOT to Love??? I would much rather stand out in a crowd and be noticed than life just pass me by while I am bitter! www.kappascoasttocoast.com www.kustomkaps.com www.flameball.com