- Sep 23, 2018
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BGA was far from the first GM Plant to get the skillet assembly and transport system. It was one of the major enhancements brought into the Plant during last fall’s thirteen week gutting, then replacing with all new equipment, e.g., using the “skillet” system first for transporting of chassis, then later in the process, moving the married chassis and body.
Skillet picture thanks to CorvetteBlogger.
There are many advantages to the skillet system compared previously. Foremost to the employees, is that its skillet’s underneath “vertical bellows” system allows the height of the chassis/body to be infinitely height raised or lowered to make it easier on the employees ergonomically. As most of us personally know, if our backs, hips and knees are not hurting, we do better quality work. A long time ago, I worked on an auto assembly line during summers while putting myself through college, and nothing was height adjustable then, instead lots of stooping, bending and lifting things shoulder height or even higher.
Conversely, the skillet’s precise height adjustment allows parts to be installed easier, quicker and with less damage to them, and less damage to adjoining parts.
A second major enhancement of the skillet system also benefits Corvette owners. Compared to before the skillets were employed, when almost every body panel was installed on the car prior to the car resting on its suspension, using the current skillet system allows the weight of the body/chassis to fully rest on the suspension before the body panels are installed, a process that has resulted in better final body panel alignment, uniformity of panel gap, and better panel in/out adjustments.
Are we not sick of automedia incessantly complaining about both the Corvette paint and its panel fit-n-finish. Who among us has not complained about body panel fit-n-finish on older Corvettes, including on some of the C7’s being assembled before the skillet system was employed.
Thanks to the combination of the new $435M paint shop and the skillet system, we are already witnessing significant improvements in both of those areas.
Thank you skillets!
While these two major improvements have been noticed and are appreciated, every one of us wishes that the design of the “body panel attachment system” for the ME is going to be even better, e.g., our unanimously hoping the C8 evolutionally has even further improved body panel fit.
Skillet picture thanks to CorvetteBlogger.
There are many advantages to the skillet system compared previously. Foremost to the employees, is that its skillet’s underneath “vertical bellows” system allows the height of the chassis/body to be infinitely height raised or lowered to make it easier on the employees ergonomically. As most of us personally know, if our backs, hips and knees are not hurting, we do better quality work. A long time ago, I worked on an auto assembly line during summers while putting myself through college, and nothing was height adjustable then, instead lots of stooping, bending and lifting things shoulder height or even higher.
Conversely, the skillet’s precise height adjustment allows parts to be installed easier, quicker and with less damage to them, and less damage to adjoining parts.
A second major enhancement of the skillet system also benefits Corvette owners. Compared to before the skillets were employed, when almost every body panel was installed on the car prior to the car resting on its suspension, using the current skillet system allows the weight of the body/chassis to fully rest on the suspension before the body panels are installed, a process that has resulted in better final body panel alignment, uniformity of panel gap, and better panel in/out adjustments.
Are we not sick of automedia incessantly complaining about both the Corvette paint and its panel fit-n-finish. Who among us has not complained about body panel fit-n-finish on older Corvettes, including on some of the C7’s being assembled before the skillet system was employed.
Thanks to the combination of the new $435M paint shop and the skillet system, we are already witnessing significant improvements in both of those areas.
Thank you skillets!
While these two major improvements have been noticed and are appreciated, every one of us wishes that the design of the “body panel attachment system” for the ME is going to be even better, e.g., our unanimously hoping the C8 evolutionally has even further improved body panel fit.
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