From engine components to dashboards and transmissions, Automotive Part Manufacturing in Lansing, MI, has been a driving force behind Roberson Machine Company for over two decades. Our experience across diverse industries ensures precision and reliability for every automotive part we produce.
In this guide, we’ll explore how CNC machining plays a vital role in the automotive industry. Topics include:
- Common CNC machining applications in automotive part manufacturing
- Materials frequently used in automotive CNC processes
- Machining methods tailored to automotive part production
- Why Roberson Machine Company is a trusted industry partner
Call our team today at 573-646-3996 or contact us online for expert guidance on Lansing, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing and precision CNC solutions.
Lansing, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing: Real-World CNC Applications
From engine parts to custom brackets, CNC machining is essential in the automotive manufacturing process. Roberson Machine Company collaborates with Tier 1–3 Suppliers, small businesses, and other partners to produce precise, production-ready components at scale. Common automotive applications include:
- Powertrain Components: Precision is critical for powertrain parts such as crankshafts, cylinder heads, and transmission housings. CNC machining guarantees the tight tolerances needed to ensure reliable performance and efficiency.
- 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 require precise machining to ensure safety and consistent function. Proper surface finish, tolerance, and geometry are vital for optimal braking efficiency.
- Interior & Dashboard Hardware: Beyond the engine, CNC machining is key to producing both aesthetic and functional parts such as gear shifters, infotainment brackets, and dashboard support structures that enhance vehicle interiors.
- Prototyping & R&D: Before advancing to full production, automakers use CNC-machined prototypes to assess component performance and safety. Roberson assists teams in swiftly moving from CAD models to working parts, streamlining innovation and design testing.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Components: With the rise of EV production, CNC machining plays a crucial role in crafting battery housings, cooling plates, and custom mounts for electric drive units, all demanding advanced design and material expertise.
- Autonomous Vehicle Systems: The precision machining of components like sensors, control modules, and structural parts is essential to the reliable and efficient operation of autonomous vehicles and their advanced driving systems.
- Performance & Aftermarket Parts: Through CNC machining, we produce high-performance custom parts such as intake manifolds, exhaust headers, and suspension upgrades, ideal for enthusiasts seeking enhanced vehicle performance and a personalized look.
Whether you’re producing five parts or five thousand, Roberson’s automotive manufacturing services are designed to meet the high standards of the industry. Precision, consistency, and quality are our unwavering commitments.
Types of Materials We Use for Lansing, MI, Automotive CNC Manufacturing
Choosing the right material is essential in automotive manufacturing, as it affects the performance, safety, and durability of vehicle parts. At Roberson Machine Company, we work with a broad selection of metals and plastics, each picked for its specific advantages—strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and machinability—to satisfy the exacting requirements of automotive applications. This includes:
- Aluminum (6061, 7075, 7050): Offering excellent strength-to-weight ratios and corrosion resistance, aluminum alloys are perfect for engine components, suspension systems, and housings. High-grade alloys like 7075 are frequently chosen for performance and motorsports applications.
- 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 ideal for lightweight, non-structural parts such as bushings, gears, and interior components. Certain types, like PEEK, are resistant to high heat and chemicals.
- Brass: Due to its superior machinability and corrosion resistance, brass is commonly found in fittings, bushings, and valves within fluid systems and connectors.
- Titanium: Offering a superior strength-to-weight ratio, titanium is perfect for high-performance applications like exhaust parts and racing components where every ounce counts.
Our team understands the demands of automotive environments and can help you choose the right material for every part—whether you’re building prototypes or scaling up for full production. Contact us to learn more about our machining capabilities.
Key Services for Lansing, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing
- High-Precision CNC Machining: Using cutting-edge equipment and experienced operators, Roberson Machine Company produces tight-tolerance components with superior surface finishes—vital for performance, safety, and reliability in automotive systems.
- Versatile Multi-Axis CNC Milling and Turning: From 3-axis to high-precision 5-axis machining, we can produce detailed features and complex geometries required in today’s engine, transmission, and suspension parts.
- Wire EDM: Offering unparalleled precision, Wire EDM delivers ultra-accurate cuts and complex internal features, making it perfect for specialty parts such as fuel system components and precision brackets.
- Prototype to Final Production: We offer comprehensive support for your entire project, from fast-turn prototypes to high-volume CNC production runs, all backed by consistent quality and traceability.
- Value-Added Services: Looking for comprehensive solutions? Alongside machining, we offer welding, fabrication, deburring, bead blasting, and assembly, helping to improve your supply chain efficiency and cut down on time to market.
From concept to completion, Roberson Machine Company provides end-to-end CNC solutions tailored for the automotive industry. Whether you’re developing a prototype or scaling up for full production, our team ensures precision, efficiency, and quality at every stage.
Why Choose Roberson for Lansing, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing?
Roberson Machine Company is your trusted partner for manufacturing precision products. Here are a few key reasons why you should reach out to us:
- 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.
- Industry-Leading Knowledge: With decades of CNC machining expertise, our team applies specialized techniques tailored to your project’s exact specifications.
- Rigorous Quality Control: We deliver components that strictly adhere to automotive tolerances and specifications, with our certifications highlighting our commitment to quality.
- Reliable Partnerships: We view ourselves as more than just a supplier—we’re a dependable partner. Through transparent communication and consistent results, we build lasting relationships across projects of all sizes.
- Innovation in Focus: Let us manage the complexities of production, so you can concentrate on refining design, enhancing performance, and ensuring timely market delivery.
- Scalable Solutions: From one-off prototypes to high-volume production runs, our flexible systems scale with your needs. Serving multiple industries allows us to pass material and process savings directly to you.
Other services Roberson offers include:
- High Volume CNC Machining
- Industrial Automation
- Solar Panel Manufacturers
- Microscope Parts Precision Machining
- Military Manufacturing
- Medical Brace Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Oil & Gas Industry Parts
- 5 Axis CNC Machine
- Aluminum Aerospace Machining
Interested in learning more about CNC machining and automotive applications? Don’t hesitate to give us a call now at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to learn more about Lansing, MI, Automotive Part Manufacturing and how our experts can help.