IN A WORLD WITHOUT CASTINGS


Would Henry Ford’s Manufacturing Vision Have Been Realized?


1908, Detroit, Michigan


Production of the Ford Model T begins at the Piquette Plant. At the center of the automobile’s design is the four engine cylinders cast as one piece, simplifying the traditional practice of casting each cylinder individually. Simplification is a key in Henry Ford’s vision to bring the automobile to the masses. Together, with several other innovations, including a detached cast cylinder head, the updated engine is part of Ford’s groundbreaking moving assembly line, which produces a Model T in one-and-a-half hours, compared to more than 12 hours for hand-built cars. Te engine was further simplified throughout the life of the car’s production to 1927.


18 | MODERN CASTING October 2012


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