Building Veemo: Part 1
As Veemo moves into production in Q3, 2022, we want to share how each vehicle is built and the strict quality control process we use to ensure Veemo is the best product on the market. Veemo is not mass-produced in a factory in a country with lower wages, rather, each Veemo is hand built and assembled in North American by workers who are paid a good living wage. This is in alignment with our core values of being an environmental and ethical workplace en route to becoming a certified B Corp (link).
The Veemo manufacturing starts with laser cutting parts for the frames. Veemo blueprints are defined in Computer Numerical Controller (CNC) files that describe every facet of the exact dimensions based on advanced computer models. The CNC files are capable of being fed into various manufacturing machines with CNC capabilities to translate those instructions into physical pieces of the product. Below, we see a tray of Veemo components freshly cut from the New York facility awaiting intermediate inspection before being moved to the welding bays.
Each component has been laser or waterjet cut to within 1/100 of an inch for accuracy and readied for the next step. This batch of parts were made in September of 2022 for the first Veemos being assembled for delivery to reservation holders.
Once quality assurance has vetted the parts, they are moved to a welding jig. The process of welding a Veemo frame requires that the frame components be kept in an absolute position during the entire process to prevent warping or bending. Extra care is taken to program the robotic welding process to ensure maximum penetration (for strong seams) while also preventing overheating or burn through. Before welding is attempted, a “dry run” technique is employed with skilled welders reviewing the robots actions as shown in the video clip below.
Once the technician is satisfied with the process, a frame is held in position in the jig and the welding process takes place. Here is an actual welding pass on the lower edge of a Veemo frame using the robotic welder.
Each weld bead is carefully inspected in a series of subsequent test runs to ensure the optimal process until the perfect weld beams are obtained. This short clip shows the finished beads around the Veemo head tube and other parts of the frame from a manual welding process. The manual TIG welding and robotic TIG welding results are carefully compared for total quality assurance.
Note that while certain areas like the head tube use a single continuous weld, some parts of the frame use smaller weld beams spread out at regular intervals. This process helps avoid warping in the welding process while maintaining a high degree of strength and structural integrity. Each Veemo frame is designed to last and support duty cycles far beyond what is actually expected.
As we move into the production phase and subsequent deliveries of Veemo, the beautification is equally important. Each frame is powder coated to protect it as well as to make it look elegant. The process of powder coating is better than paint and has less of an environmental impact. Any extra metals not used in the Veemo frame recycled meaning waste is kept to a very minimal level.
Below is a final frame ready for the next steps of assembly.
The frame will be packed with paper (easier to recycle and uses no fossil fuels) and will be mated with its other components which we will outline in subsequent parts of this blog series. One of the first lucky reservation holders will be likely driving this frame within weeks.
Thank you for supporting Veemo and taking steps to a low carbon future. We are grateful!
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