Metal stamping is used to create a wide range of parts that are essential for the safe and proper functioning of various systems within a vehicle. For over 60 years, Keats Manufacturing has provided industry-leading precision metal stamping services to meet the needs of numerous industries, including the automotive sector. Regardless of how complex the automotive stamping project is, we strive to deliver flexible, innovative solutions with affordable pricing, fast turnaround times, and customer satisfaction.
Metal Stamped Parts for Automotive Applications Explained
Metal stamping is a manufacturing technique that passes a flat sheet or coil of metal through a tool and die surface where it is “stamped” into the desired shape using blanking, punching, embossing, or other techniques. The stamping process can occur in a single stage or over several stages, depending on the complexity of the end product.
Precision metal stampings are essential to many modern industries and are especially important to automotive applications. Although there are several types of metal stamping methods, the primary types used by Keats for automotive manufacturing are four-slide, and progressive die stamping.
Due to its cost-effectiveness, material efficiency, repeatability, and flexibility, stamping can be used to create parts for various vehicle systems, including:
- Sensors
- Powertrains
- Alternators
- Electrical systems
- Braking systems
- Seating and Interior
- Lighting
- Steering components
- Fuel systems
These systems play a critical role in ensuring optimal safety and functionality of automobiles and therefore must be made using quality processes and materials. Automotive metal stamping is compatible with a diverse range of materials, such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel, other alloys and pure metals.
How We Manufacture Each Automotive Part
Keats Manufacturing is an industry-leading automotive metal stamping company that uses various alloys, materials, and forming processes for precise results. We are driven by high internal quality standards, making us a perfect fit for the automotive metal stamping industry.
In 1971, we began making terminals and spring clips for automotive applications. Today, our products are part of almost every automobile manufactured in North America.
When you partner with Keats Manufacturing for your automotive stamping needs, you can be confident of receiving the following advantages:
- Top Quality Components. We are committed to quality control and enhancement, with our 12-person quality assurance team reporting directly to our CEO. We are ISO:9001, IATF:16949, and ISO:14001 certified, strictly adhering to the most demanding quality control systems.
- Flexible Solutions. Keats Manufacturing provides services for high-volume orders of up to 50 million parts.
- Cost Savings. Our knowledgeable team has access to state-of-the-art technology to deliver cost-effective solutions for a broad range of industries, including aerospace, appliance, automotive, communications, construction, electronics, furniture, medical, military, and more.
Metal Stamped Parts for Automotive Applications
At Keats Manufacturing, we can stamp a wide variety of components for automotive applications, including:
Electrical Connectors and Terminals
Automotive manufacturers usually use connectors with a two-piece socket and tab design. Utilizing durable, flexible materials allows the female and male component ends to attach and disconnect easily. This feature proves crucial considering the wear and tear these parts take from exposure to weather, chemicals, and other harsh elements that vehicles commonly encounter on roadways. Keats Manufacturing uses progressive die and multi-slide metal stamping processes to produce terminals and connectors made from brass, copper, steel, and other materials.
Automotive Wire Forms
Wire forming involves pulling a metal strip through a set of lubricated molds or dies to create a desired shape. This simple, versatile process is compatible with many different wire sizes and shapes. While this technique typically utilizes materials such as copper and titanium, the best-suited material will depend on the demands of a specific application. The most common applications for automotive wire forms include tires and under chassis.
Automotive Hangers & Brackets
Our metal stamping processes can be used to produce metal brackets for automotive door panels, fender assemblies, airbags, instrument panels, airbags, and more. These components are primarily used to fasten one part to another and can be manufactured from metals such as steel and other high-strength, oxidation-resistant alloys.
Steering Wheel Positioning Sensor
The engineering team at Keats Manufacturing can turn various raw materials into terminals for use in automotive steering wheel sensors. With our precision custom stamping services, we can design, build, and package terminals in very high volumes and ship them directly to your location. Additionally, we can plate steering wheel positioning terminals with bright tin to improve corrosion resistance. Our reel-to-reel plating process ensures uniform coating deposition, which helps to significantly reduce overall costs.
Fuel Injection Steel Shield for Engines
Keats Manufacturing can use metal stamping to produce fuel injection steel shields for engines based on your unique specifications. Using DCC programmable CMMs, our precision stamping capabilities allow us to manufacture parts in very high volumes with quality cold rolled steel materials while maintaining tight tolerances. We can also apply a zinc phosphate coating to improve paint-bonding properties.
Bus-Bars
These components are crucial to many automotive applications, especially for power distribution systems. Keats Manufacturing can fabricate copper bus bars in the most cost-effective, material-efficient way. Depending on your needs, we can include pre- or post-plating options to improve corrosion resistance.
Battery Terminals & Heavy Gauge Cable Lug Terminals
Battery and heavy gauge cable lug terminals are vital to power distribution systems and various other automotive applications. We can produce these components using copper and copper alloys. We can deliver parts with tin or nickel plating to meet extensive corrosion testing. Keats produces cable sockets for numerous different OEMs in all of our facilities and we specialize in assisting our customer with DFM (Design For Manufacturability) and reducing costs in the design phase. We always aim to produce the part with the least amount of scrap possible.
Metal Stamped Parts for the Automotive Industry Services from Keats Manufacturing
Keats Manufacturing has provided automotive customers with high-quality custom metal stampings, assemblies, and wire forms since 1958. We have three state-of-the-art full-service facilities to serve our customers’ needs, and each location utilizes innovative machinery and advanced technologies for exceptional results.
To learn more about our automotive stamping capabilities, contact us or request a quote today.