ferrari factory tour: mechanical workshop

first image
aerial view of the ferrari complex in maranello, italy, looking out onto viale enzo ferrari
image courtesy ferrari


founded in 1929 as a racecar sponsor and manufacturer, ferrari has been producing hand-finished road vehicles since 1947.
the ferrari factory was designed by french architect jean nouvel and modernized beginning in 1997 by company president
luca di montezemolo. all ferraris in the world continue to be produced exclusively on the maranello campus,
where every ferrari is produced custom to order, and all installations are performed by hand. as a result, the company
produces approximately 10 to 12 cars a day.

designboom visited the ferrari factories and is excited to bring you a three-part behind-the-scenes look at the vehicles' production.
this article looks at the 'nuova meccanica' ('mechanical workshop') building, where engine components are produced.

the 'nuova meccanica' ('mechanical workshop') is the site of construction for the machining and finishing of headshafts, cranks,
and other engine parts. designed by marco visconti, the 15,000 square-meter building was opened in 2001 and contains 15 work areas
and about 100 different machines. all conditions in the building are carefully regulated, including the temperature and humidity levels
during winter and summer respectively, as well as the maximum noise level, which thanks to efficient soundproofing never exceeds 73 decibels.

ferrari vehicles are assembled and completed by hand, but in recent years the company has integrated automation
and robotics into certain elements of the production process. at the 'nuova meccanica', robots work in conjunction
with one another and with human technicians to produce parts, temper cylinder heads (with liquid nitrogen),
and complete other machining. once all engine parts are produced and refined, they travel to the nearby
engine assembly facility before ultimately moving on to the 'new assembly line' to be installed into a custom vehicle.



floor map of the 'nuova meccanica' ('mechanical workshop')



the entrance opens onto a second-floor balcony, offering a view of the factory floor
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automated robots temper cylinder heads
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automated robots at the ferrari factory
video © designboom



green spaces both indoors and out temper the metal and machinery of the plant, as part of the 'formula uomo' initiative for employee health and contentment
image courtesy ferrari



a sanitation station runs (front left) while technicians work in the distance
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image © designboom



image © designboom



testing of components
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stacked cylinder heads
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gardens surround the building, and trees along the floor's center offset the technology and high industry of the factory
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engine production machines work behind closed walls
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cylinder heads
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a finished engine
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'166 inter vignale' (1948) in the show area of of the workshop
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'166 inter vignale' (1948)
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technology like the trigeneration plant evaporative cooler circuit, pictured above in another building on the ferrari campus, are among the ecologically sustainable initiatives
ferrari has undertaken in recent years - this machine simultaneously produces power, heat, and cooling, reducing carbon emissions by about 40%
image courtesy ferrari



view leaving the building
image © designboom

coming next: designboom's feature on the ferrari design process.
did you miss our first feature? read about the 'new assembly line' facilities here!