Automotive

Molds, dies, fixtures and prototypes for Ontario's automotive suppliers, and the parts that keep their lines running.

We work with suppliers across Ontario's auto industry: tooling for a new program, fixtures for a launch, prototype parts for a design review, and replacement parts for machines that can't wait for the OEM.

What we make for automotive programs

• Injection molds for interior, exterior and under-hood plastic parts, from aluminum prototype tools to hardened steel production molds. See what drives mold cost.
• Compression molds for carbon fiber and other composite parts.
• Stamping dies, progressive and transfer. See progressive vs transfer dies.
• Checking fixtures and gauges for incoming and in-process inspection. See checking fixtures for automotive parts.
• Jigs and assembly fixtures for welding, assembly and machining cells.
• Prototype parts, CNC machined, 3D printed or carbon fiber, for design reviews, test builds and fit checks.
• Plant replacement parts: worn or discontinued parts reverse engineered and remade, plus bearings, ball screws, hydraulics, pumps and valves.

Recent automotive work

• 7075 aluminum control arms, CNC machined and gold anodized.
• A harness bar for the Porsche 911 in bent and welded 4130 chromoly or titanium tube, made with M-Tech Racing.
• In development: a ski rack mount for the Porsche 992 GT3, combining 3D printed and CNC machined parts. See A8 products.
• Carbon fiber paddles and machined plates for a custom steering wheel.
• More on the projects page.

Program tooling, step by step

• Design review. The part design is checked before the tool is quoted: draft, wall thickness, gate location, parting line and undercuts. See injection molding design rules.
• Tooling standards. Send your company's tooling standards with the RFQ and the tool is quoted and built to them.
• Mold flow and cooling. Ask for a mold flow and cooling layout with your quote, so fill, warp and cycle time are settled before steel is cut.
• Trials. Tools run trial shots (T0, T1) before they ship, and you approve sample parts against a dimensional report. See mold trials.
• Bridge tooling. Aluminum or prototype tools can supply parts for builds and early production while the production mold is made.

Working with A8

• We manage each project from quote to delivery.
• Quotes come with suggested changes that cut cost, marked clearly so your engineers decide.
• We'll sign your NDA before you share drawings.
• Inspection reports on critical dimensions are available on request. See quality.

Automotive Guides

• Injection mold cost factors
• Aluminum vs steel injection molds
• Injection molding design rules that cut mold cost
• Hot runner vs cold runner molds
• Mold steels: P20, 718H, NAK80, S136 and H13
• Checking fixtures for automotive parts
• Springback in stamped parts and how dies fix it
• Mold trials: T0, T1 and final approval

Send the part drawing, the annual volume and the start of production date, and we'll come back with a tooling plan and a price.