Automotive tooling means a mold or machined part for a vehicle program, where the part cannot ship without the documentation that proves it matches the drawing. The critical difference is not the machining — it is whether the cavity identity, the material lot and the dimensional results stay linked from first article through every production batch.
What we build
Typical automotive part families
| Part family | Typical material | Tool type | Documentation focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior brackets and clips | PA6-GF30, POM | 2-plate, 4–16 cavities | Dimensional report, cavity traceability |
| Under-hood housings | PA66-GF35, PPS | Hot runner, 2–8 cavities | Material certificates, heat ageing reference |
| Electrical connectors | PBT-GF30, PA46 | Hot runner valve gate, 8–32 cavities | Dimensional report, flash and pin-position check |
| Lens and light-pipe parts | PC, PMMA | Hot runner, 2–8 cavities | Optical surface, SPI A2 polish record |
| Machined fixtures and jigs | Aluminium 6061, steel | 3- and 5-axis machining | First article report, datum scheme |
What the PPAP package contains
We prepare the elements a toolmaker controls and hand them over as one folder, in your template if you have one. Level 3 is our default; level 4 with your customer-specific forms is available on request.
- Design records — part drawing and the approved 3D model
- Dimensional results — CMM readings against every ballooned feature
- Material and performance test references — mill certificates and resin lot data
- Process flow diagram and PFMEA for the molding operation we control
- Control plan stating the sampling frequency per feature
- Measurement system analysis for the gauges used on critical features
- Sample parts from the production cavity, packed and labelled per cavity
- Part submission warrant completed with our signature and date
How traceability works in practice
If your program requires a document we do not normally produce, say so at quotation stage. Adding a record format after the tool is built is far more expensive than building it into the process.
Indicative schedule
- DFM and quotationDay 1–3
Feasibility note on draft, wall thickness, gate position and warp risk, plus a line-item price.
- Tool design approvalDay 3–8
3D mold design issued for your sign-off, including the ejector and cooling layout.
- Steel and machiningDay 8–26
Plates and inserts ordered with certificates, rough and finish machining to the approved model.
- Fitting and tryoutDay 26–34
Trial run in your resin, sample parts measured and the process sheet written.
- PPAP submissionDay 34–40
Documentation folder assembled, samples packed per cavity, tool crated for shipment.
Request an automotive quote
Automotive tooling FAQ
Can you supply a PPAP package with the tool?
Yes. We prepare the PPAP elements we control: dimensional results, material and performance test references, process flow, PFMEA, control plan, MSA and the sample parts. Level 3 is our default, and your own template can be used instead.
How do you keep cavity identity traceable?
Each cavity is stamped with its number on a non-cosmetic face, records are kept per cavity, and every shipment states which cavities produced the parts. If a dimensional drift appears, we can identify the affected shots instead of scrapping the whole batch.
Do you handle IATF 16949 audits?
We support your audit by providing tool history files, inspection records and corrective-action logs for the work we did. Certification status of our own system is stated in writing at quotation stage rather than assumed.
What if a dimensional trend drifts during production?
The per-cavity records show which cavity moved and when. We then either correct the tool or adjust the process, and record the change — so the next batch starts from a documented baseline instead of a guess.
Quote the tool and the documentation together
Send the drawing and your PPAP level. You get a price, a dated schedule and the record list in one reply.
Request a quote