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Seojin Systems Takes Delivery of the First 9,000t Die Casting Machine in Vietnam

Bühler completed the installation of a cutting edge two platen dei casting machine, with a clamping force exceeding 9,000 tons, at Seojin System’s factory in Vietnam. This milestone, the first of two planned installations, was celebrated with an inauguration ceremony attended by industry leaders, including Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass, Seojin System President Jun Dong Kyu, and Bühler’s Die Casting Managing Director Cornel Mendler.

The Carat 920 machine, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, enables Seojin to produce up to 200,000 large EV components annually, such as battery trays and underbodies. This technology enhances efficiency, reduces waste, and supports sustainability by replacing multiple parts with single die cast structures. A second machine is currently being installed, further boosting capacity. The partnership, which began in 2019 with the Carat 610 project, combines Bühler’s innovative die-casting solutions with Seojin’s expertise and Vietnam’s strategic advantages.

Seojin is also constructing another factory, set for completion in 2025, to expand its role as a Tier 1 supplier in Vietnam’s growing automotive supply chain.

First 20 inch Magnesium Rims in Series Production

Bole Intelligent Machinery, Dongfeng Motor, Professor Zeng Xiaoqin’s team from Shanghai University and other collaborators, have successfully developed a 20 inch automobile wheel in magnesium alloy using thixomolding technology.

Leveraging semi solid injection molding technology, the research team utilized a high strength, corrosion resistant magnesium alloy developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University along with the MTX3000D two platen thixomolding machine developed by Bole Intelligent Technology.

Bole’s CTO, Timo Günzel celebrated the achievement on LinkedIn and said that these are set to be “the first 20 inch rims made of magnesium using the thixomolding process, which will go into series production in the automotive industry in China.”

Thixomolded wheels promise to be cost competitive, lower weight and increase vehicle efficiency compared to traditional die cast aluminum wheels.

With a shot weight of over 16 kilograms, this achievement not only marks a significant step in wheel production but also sets a new world record for the largest injection volume of thixomolded magnesium alloy parts.

Idra Delivers New Giga Press to Tesla

Last week, Tesla received large components from Idra, its die casting machine supplier, which builds the Giga Press machines used at Tesla’s facilities in Europe and North America.

At its Austin factory, Tesla is currently producing the Model Y and Cybertruck, with plans to expand production to include additional models, such as the Cybercab. A few months ago, Idra unveiled a 9,000 ton Giga Press painted in Tesla’s signature red-and-white colors. Around the same time, on December 4, Travis County approved Tesla’s permit to construct the foundation for a new die casting machine, dubbed “Cyber DCM 3 Foundation”.

Tesla already operates two 9,000 ton Giga Press machines at Giga Texas which handle the production of the rear underbody (RUB) gigacastings for the Cybertruck. In contrast, Tesla’s 6,000 ton machines are simply labeled “DCM #”. This suggests “Cyber DCM 3” almost certainly refers to a third 9,000 ton die casting machine.

My thoughts;

With two 9,000 ton machines already in operation, Tesla aims to produce between 250,000 and 500,000 Cybertrucks annually at Giga Texas. Given the efficiency of Tesla’s evolving gigacasting process, the combined capacity of these machines should meet the Cybertruck’s RUB production demands. So, why invest in a third 9,000 ton Giga Press?

Tesla could be targeting Cybertruck production beyond 500,000 units per year, or perhaps preparing for future vehicles requiring larger or more complex castings. A large SUV might be on the horizon, or Tesla could be planning to consolidate even more components into single castings for the Cybercab or an entirely new model.

Huawei’s Latest Vehicle Adopts Gigacastings

Another vehicle has emerged from a joint venture spearheaded by Chinese tech giant Huawei, this time in collaboration with Changan Automobile and CATL. The Avatr 06 adopts RUB aluminum alloy Gigacastings. Its one-piece rear underbody casting increases torsional stiffness by 25% and enables the vehicle to withstand rear collisions at speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph), ensuring enhanced safety for its rear seat passengers.

While it’s not yet confirmed, I suspect Changan manufactures the RUB Gigacastings for Avatr using its 7,000 ton die casting machines.

Two years ago, Huawei partnered with Seres to launch the AITO M9, a vehicle that was among the earliest to adopt underbody Gigacastings. It also pioneered the use of Gigacastings as inner body panels for the C and D pillars (one per side). Recently, Dongguan Daseon Industry released a video showcasing the M9’s castings and their production process.

Dongfeng Motors Update

Hubei Daily in China reports that the first 16,000 ton die casting machine is being installed at Dongfeng Motor’s new Gigacasting facility, a project backed by a 226 million yuan ($31.2 million at the time of announcement) investment. (see video)

The Dongfeng Gigacasting plant is set to eventually support six die casting production lines, which will be introduced in separate stages. The initial phase features a 16,000 ton machine and a 10,000 ton machine, tasked with producing rear underbody castings and battery housings. Together, they will deliver an annual production capacity of 200,000 units.

Click the image for a video update with English subtitles.

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