Automotive production is an ever-changing landscape as manufacturers look to upgrade vehicle engineering with new and advanced parts. Injection molding manufacturers must meet these demands with state-of-the-art processes and technologies. Because of these growing demands for innovation and speed, finding the right injection plastic molding partner is crucial for any automotive manufacturer when creating new components and adapting to industry changes.

In this blog, we will explore emerging trends in vehicle design, how automotive plastic part manufacturers are adopting these trends, and how to find an injection molding company you can trust to deliver new, high-quality parts on a quick timeline.

The Role of Automotive Plastic Injection Molding in Transforming Car Design

We’ve seen an example of this ever-changing automotive market represented in the car interior dashboard, which has undergone significant change over the last 5-10 years. One of the most significant introductions in the dashboard has been touchscreens quickly becoming ubiquitous. The renovation was spurred by early innovators like Tesla in the early 2010s. Touchscreens, also referred to as infotainment systems were primarily driven by industry pressure to streamline manufacturing operations, technological advancement, and cost considerations. As cars have become more advanced and introduced more controls, screens became necessary as eventually there was not enough space on a physical car dashboard for all the controls.

Additionally, installing a screen is far more affordable than wiring and installing several buttons. The transition to touchscreens has been especially threatening for injection molding companies that produced these plastic buttons and dials in partnerships with automotive manufacturers. 

Fortunately for these automotive plastic part manufacturers, consumer research highlighted concerns about safety and usability. A 2020 study from IAM RoadSmart, the largest independent road safety charity in the UK, found the Android Auto touchscreen impairs driver reaction time by 53%, and the Apple CarPlay touchscreen impairs driver reaction time by 57% – much slower than the reaction times of those driving while using cannabis or over the legal limit for alcohol.

These startling statistics have led some manufacturers to revert to tactile controls. As reported in Wired, several major carmakers like Volkswagen, Subaru, and Hyundai have announced a return of physical knobs and buttons for functions like volume and seat heating.

Despite this shift back to physical controls, screens are likely to remain integral to vehicle functionality, albeit with a more balanced approach. This hybrid trend suggests potential opportunities for plastic molding companies. It also suggests the importance of having an injection molding partner with the capabilities and expertise to pivot and provide a variety of components.

Finding an Injection Molding Partner You Can Trust

While the relationship between automotive manufacturers and injection molding companies seems to be constantly changing regarding interior controls and aesthetics, this relationship remains steadfast and crucial in the areas of occupant safety and key functionalities.

Key components that injection molding companies can provide to the automotive industry include:

• Interior optical lighting
• Rain and light sensors
• Seatbelt retractors and tensioners
• Power window switches
• Fuel system components
• Fuel pedals
• Throttle-by-wire switch assemblies

These are crucial systems which injection molding companies can help design and engineer to support automotive manufacturers. Without a strong business partnership and relationship, efficiency and precision cannot be guaranteed for an automotive manufacturer.

Chemtech Plastics maintain adaptability, precision, and quality at high volumes due to our advanced processes, which extend beyond our intricate precision molding techniques.

Automation

At Chemtech, we know that strategic automation integration is essential to maintaining our place and an industry leader. Chemtech Plastics is set apart by our in-house automation team. Led by an experienced automation engineer, our automation systems play a key role in the injection molding process. At any given time, multiple automation cells, including robots, conveyors, and safety systems, are in operation at our facility.

Project Management

We assign a dedicated project manager who oversees your entire project, ensuring efficiency and insight at every step. Chemtech Plastics has ample resources to manage product design, material selection, mold design, sampling, R&D, and more.

Precision Toolmaking

In-house precision toolmaking is integral to our flexible injection molding operations. We can tackle diverse clients and projects by providing precise tooling crafted to exacting standards, encompassing intricate geometries and mechanisms. Moreover, our toolmaking capabilities enable meticulous lead time management and prioritization of new programs.

Quality Assurance

Quality is everything for automotive manufacturers, down to the smallest part of the vehicle. The same goes for Chemtech. Utilizing the latest quality assurance technology for efficiency and precision, along with assigning a dedicated quality engineer to an account, we ensure your high quality standards are met every time.

Utilizing these processes allows us to increase efficiency and produce the highest quality products, removing the challenges that automotive manufacturers face when working with outside manufacturers. 

Premium Materials

Our expert injection molders can work with resins that other injection molding companies cannot. Many materials require specialized equipment, custom molding machines, material dying equipment, hot runner controllers, and mold temperature regulators.

Working with a company like Chemtech that has these capabilities allows automotive manufacturers to engineer advanced components beyond the standard parts within the cabin. Automotive manufacturers can leverage the expertise of injection molding companies to utilize quality resins that are high-performance and engineering-grade.

Chemtech Plastics: the Leading Automotive Injection Molding Company

Partnering with an injection molding company that plans, produces, and supports the finest injection molding components for the automotive industry is an invaluable resource.

Leveraging extensive experience and robust procedures, Chemtech Plastics offers remarkable adaptability, which empowers automotive manufacturers to access capabilities beyond their reach. Guided by three fundamental principles — strong relationships, cutting-edge technology, and comprehensive resources — Chemtech Plastics employs top-tier service and products to the future of the automotive manufacturing sector.