From engine components to dashboards and transmissions, Automotive Part Manufacturing in Grand Rapids, MI, reflects our long-standing commitment at Roberson Machine Company to precision and performance. We’ve served a wide range of industries with advanced CNC machining services.
We’ll break down the role of CNC machining in automotive manufacturing, including:
- CNC applications across vehicle production
- Materials commonly used
- Machining types employed
- Roberson Machine Company’s competitive edge
Call us today at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to discuss your needs for Grand Rapids, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing and see how Roberson can help.
Grand Rapids, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing: Real-World CNC Applications
From engine components to custom brackets, CNC machining plays a critical role in vehicle manufacturing. Roberson Machine Company partners with Tier 1–3 Suppliers, small businesses, and others to deliver precise, production-ready parts at scale. In the automotive industry, common use cases include:
- Powertrain Components: Crankshafts, cylinder heads, and transmission housings are integral to vehicle performance, requiring high-precision machining to maintain efficiency and reliability. CNC machining ensures the tight tolerances these critical components need for maximum performance.
- Suspension & Steering Systems: Control arms, knuckles, and linkages must combine lightness with strength and precise dimensions. Roberson’s advanced machining processes ensure every part contributes to optimal handling and lasting durability.
- Brake System Parts: Caliper mounts, rotors, and pedal components are machined for safety and smooth function. Surface finish, tolerance, and geometry are critical to ensure effective braking performance.
- Interior & Dashboard Hardware: From gear shifters to infotainment brackets and dashboard support structures, CNC machining helps craft both functional and visually appealing parts for vehicle interiors.
- Prototyping & R&D: Prior to large-scale production, many automotive manufacturers rely on CNC machining to test the performance and safety of components. Roberson facilitates quick and precise transitions from CAD designs to real-world prototypes, aiding in design refinement and innovation.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Components: As EV production grows, CNC machining supports battery housings, cooling plates, and custom mounts for electric drive units—all requiring new levels of design complexity and material considerations.
- Autonomous Vehicle Systems: In autonomous vehicles, precision-machined components such as sensors, control modules, and structural parts are crucial for ensuring the performance and dependability of advanced driving systems.
- Performance & Aftermarket Parts: CNC machining makes it possible to produce custom parts like intake manifolds, exhaust headers, and suspension upgrades, allowing automotive enthusiasts to improve their vehicle’s performance and visual appeal.
At Roberson, we provide automotive part manufacturing services that meet the high expectations of the industry, whether you’re manufacturing five parts or five thousand. We maintain the highest standards of precision, consistency, and quality.
Types of Materials We Use for Grand Rapids, MI, Automotive CNC Manufacturing
In automotive manufacturing, material selection is key to ensuring the performance, safety, and longevity of vehicle components. At Roberson Machine Company, we leverage a diverse selection of metals and plastics, each chosen for its unique strengths—strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and machinability—to fulfill the precise needs of automotive applications. This includes:
- Aluminum (6061, 7075, 7050): Aluminum alloys are lightweight and resistant to corrosion, making them an excellent choice for engine components, suspension parts, and housings. High-strength alloys like 7075 are often used in performance and motorsports applications for their durability.
- Stainless Steel (303, 304, 316, 321, 420SS, 416, 440): Stainless steels are prized for their strength and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for applications like exhaust systems, fasteners, and drivetrain components. For detailed insights on stainless steel, check out What Is Stainless Steel?. Hardened grades like 440 are especially known for excellent wear resistance.
- Plastics (Delrin, PETGs, Nylon, PLAs, PEEK, HDPE, Glass-Filled Nylon): These materials are great for lightweight, non-structural parts like bushings, gears, and interior components. Some, like PEEK, withstand high heat and chemical exposure.
- Brass: Offering great machinability and corrosion resistance, brass is often used in fittings, bushings, and valves in fluid-handling systems and for connectors.
- Titanium: Titanium’s combination of low weight and high strength makes it ideal for performance applications requiring a strong strength-to-weight ratio, including exhaust systems and racing components.
Our team is equipped with in-depth knowledge of automotive environments and can help you select the ideal material for every part—whether you’re working on prototypes or scaling up to full production. Reach out to explore our machining capabilities.
Key Services for Grand Rapids, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing
- Accurate CNC Machining: Roberson Machine Company leverages advanced machinery and skilled technicians to produce high-tolerance, precision components with excellent surface finishes, ensuring top-notch performance, safety, and reliability in automotive applications.
- Multi-Axis CNC Milling and Turning: From 3-axis to complex 5-axis machining, our capabilities allow for the creation of intricate geometries and detailed features found in modern engine, transmission, and suspension parts.
- Wire EDM: For ultra-precise cuts and intricate internal features, Wire EDM offers unmatched accuracy—ideal for specialty parts like fuel system components and precision brackets.
- Prototype to Production: We support your entire project lifecycle—from quick-turn prototypes for design validation to high-volume CNC production runs—with consistent quality and traceability.
- Value-Added Services: Need more than machining? We provide welding, fabrication, deburring, bead blasting, and assembly to streamline your production process and reduce time to market.
At Roberson Machine Company, we offer full-spectrum CNC solutions tailored for the automotive industry. From concept through to completion, our team ensures that precision, efficiency, and quality are upheld, whether you’re prototyping or scaling production.
Why Choose Roberson Machine Company for Grand Rapids, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing?
Roberson is here to help manufacture precision products to get the job done. There are a few reasons to get in touch with Roberson Machine Company, including:
- Capital-Free Production: Outsourcing your manufacturing needs eliminates the necessity for significant investments in facilities, machinery, and specialized labor. By leveraging our established infrastructure, you gain immediate access to advanced manufacturing capabilities, enhancing your return on investment without the associated overhead costs.
- Specialized Expertise: Leverage our decades of CNC machining experience and industry-specific insights. Our skilled team employs high-precision techniques to meet your project’s unique requirements.
- Top-Tier Quality Commitment: We ensure that every component meets precise automotive tolerances and specifications. Our commitment to superior quality is backed by our certifications.
- Dependable Partnerships: We see ourselves as a committed partner, not just a supplier. Through open communication and reliable results, we build strong, lasting connections across diverse projects.
- Dedicated Innovation: Entrust us with your manufacturing needs, allowing you to focus on design, performance, and market launch, while we take care of the production details.
- Flexible Capabilities: From custom prototypes to large-scale production, our scalable systems adjust to meet your requirements. Our broad industry experience allows us to offer material and process savings directly to you.
Other services Roberson offers include:
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- EDM Machining
- High Volume CNC Machining
- Industrial Automation
- Solar Panel Manufacturers
- Microscope Parts Precision Machining
- Military Manufacturing
- Medical Brace Manufacturing
Ready to learn more about automotive CNC part manufacturing and machining? Give us a call now at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to learn more about Grand Rapids, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing and how our team can help.