The Importance of Precision in Car Making

Automobile manufacturers have a very serious responsibility. The products they put out on the market can directly impact the safety of the consumer who purchased it. 

Of course, every manufacturer has a certain responsibility toward their customers, but this goes beyond slapping a label on the product that says: “Warning, contents are very hot.” If something goes wrong with an automobile they put on the road, it could do no end of harm to the vehicle owner and everyone else who happened to be on the road at the same time.

If a golf club manufacturer creates something that is a few millimeters off spec, this may result in a poor game and a returned club. In a worst-case scenario, there might be a few reviews online about how the manufacturer needs a few more QA checks in place.

Automotive plastic and rubber components do not have any such leeway. Anything less than 100% reliability could, in fact, cost lives.

Precision in every component cannot be overlooked in the automotive industry, which means that all the cutting, milling, molding, and extruding that goes on to produce these parts must be as reliable as everything else in the manufacturing process.

Let’s look closer at some of these processes, what they produce for the automotive industry, and how you know if they are precise enough for your needs.

Precision Die Cutting

Precision die cutting services are a critical for producing reliable gaskets, motor housings, structural components, bumpers, and more. Any automobile on the road today is going to have some very specific tolerance requirements, and every one of these components must meet those demands.

Continuous improvements are necessary to ensure the level of precision required by the automotive industry. This includes finding new ways to perform defect prevention while always minimizing waste. 

Precision Injection Molding

The materials used for precision injection molding services are just as important as the tools used to create the final components. Your parts could be made with a wide range of plastics, including HDPE, ABS, nylon, polycarbonate, and a variety of other thermoplastics. Where will they be used in the vehicle? Will they have a direct impact on the safety of the driver and passengers? How much wear will it receive each time the automobile is on the road?

All of these questions have to be answered before the injection molding process can start.

Precision Machining

The sheer number of small and simple – yet extremely important – parts that go into a vehicle means that the manufacturing process will require a cost-effective process to deliver the quality and quantity that is required.

Precision machining plastic parts means that manufacturers can work in small or large volumes, order prototype components when necessary, reduce the costs associated with molds, and get the process started with shorter lead times.

Precision Rubber Molding

A vehicle requires a wide range of rubber parts to increase efficiency and safety. Custom rubber molding services should be able to provide the consistent and precise quality required by the industry standards. Everything from O-rings and seals to gaskets and other components ensure that everything from the transmission and steering to the fuel pumps and AC systems are working properly.

Getting the Essential Components for Every Vehicle

The plastic and rubber components that support the automotive industry keep these vehicles running, the driver’s safe, and the cars looking great. In other words, manufacturers cannot and should not cut corners with any of these parts.

Doors, seats, headlights, bumpers, engine grills, frontend supports, and all the bits and bobs inside every car rely on precise components to perform up to spec. If they are off spec, even a little, then it could cause problems – potentially life-threatening problems – for the person who eventually gets behind the wheel.

So, how can you ensure that you’re going to get the level of precision you need in this industry? 

It’s all about finding the right automotive partner. 

These types of partnerships have several benefits. Manufacturers can consistently work with people they know – and who share their interest in creating a brand that is known for quality and safety. 

Contact Clark Rubber & Plastic today to learn more about our precision services for car making and how our experts can help.