Automotive Metal Fabrication — Beyond Standard Parts
The automotive industry demands more than just parts — it demands consistency at scale, documentation that passes audits, and a supply chain that never stops the line.
Conwhole has been supplying custom metal components to automotive OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers since 2010. Our capabilities cover the full range of automotive metal fabrication: high-volume progressive stamping for chassis components, certified MIG/TIG welding for structural assemblies, CNC machining for precision housings and mounts, and laser cutting for prototype and low-volume production.
What sets us apart for automotive clients: PPAP documentation as standard, GD&T-compliant manufacturing, in-die quality monitoring, and IATF-aligned process control — without the overhead cost of a Tier-1-only facility.
Key Takeaways:
- GD&T compliant with PPAP Level 3 documentation available
- IATF-aligned quality management system
- Material traceability from mill certificate to finished part
- Press capacity: 63–400 tons for automotive-grade stamping
- Welding certifications: AWS D1.1 / ISO 9606-1
- Supported materials: HSS, AHSS, aluminum 5xxx/6xxx, stainless 304/316/409
- Prototype to production: Tooling in 2–6 weeks, PPAP in 4–8 weeks
Metal Stamping for Automotive
From small electrical terminals to large structural brackets — our stamping capabilities cover the full range of automotive metal parts.
| Press Capacity | 63 – 400 tons |
| Material Thickness | 0.1 – 8.0 mm |
| Supported Steels | HSS, AHSS, DP600/DP800, HSLA, CRS, Stainless 304/316/409 |
| Die Types | Progressive, Compound, Transfer, Deep Draw |
| Tolerance | ±0.05 mm standard, ±0.02 mm precision |
| In-Die Capabilities | Tapping, marking, riveting, nut insertion |
| Documentation | PPAP Level 3, FAI, Material Certificate, CPK Report |
Welding & Assembly for Automotive
Certified welding for automotive structural and safety-critical components.
| Welding Processes | MIG/MAG, TIG, Spot/Projection Welding, Robot Welding |
| Welding Standards | AWS D1.1, ISO 9606-1, ISO 15614-1 |
| Materials Welded | Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Dissimilar Metals |
| Max Component Size | 3,000 × 1,500 × 1,200 mm |
| Welding Positions | All positions (Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead) |
| Post-Weld Services | Stress Relief, Weld Inspection (VT, PT, UT), Dimensional Check |
CNC Machining for Automotive
Precision machining for engine, transmission, EV, and chassis components.
| Machining Type | 3-Axis & 4-Axis CNC Milling, CNC Turning |
| Max Workpiece Size | 1,200 × 800 × 600 mm (Milling), Ø400 × 600 mm (Turning) |
| Tolerance | ±0.01 mm |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.8 μm standard, Ra 0.4 μm achievable |
| Materials | Aluminum 6061/7075, Steel 45#, Stainless 304/316, Brass, Engineering Plastics |
| Volume | Prototype (1–50 pcs) to Medium Batch (1,000–50,000 pcs) |
Laser Cutting for Automotive Prototypes & Low Volume
Fast-turn sheet metal and tube cutting for prototype development and low-volume production.
| Laser Type | Fiber Laser, 6kW |
| Sheet Max Size | 6,000 × 2,500 mm |
| Sheet Thickness | 0.5 – 25 mm (Steel), 0.5 – 15 mm (Stainless), 0.5 – 12 mm (Aluminum) |
| Tube Max Diameter | Ø220 mm round, 200×200 mm square |
| Tube Max Length | 6,000 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.1 mm |
Typical Automotive Parts We Manufacture
| Component Category | Examples | Key Processes |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis & Suspension | Control arm brackets, spring seats, subframe connectors, stabilizer bar mounts | Stamping, Welding |
| Body & Structural | Reinforcement plates, door hinge brackets, pillar reinforcements, cross members | Stamping, Laser Cutting |
| Powertrain & Drivetrain | Engine mounting brackets, transmission housings, exhaust flanges, heat shields | Stamping, CNC Machining, Welding |
| EV & Battery | Battery tray brackets, busbar supports, cooling plate housings, motor mounts | Stamping, CNC Machining, Laser Cutting |
| Interior & Seating | Seat frame stampings, seat recliner components, latch brackets, adjuster rails | Stamping, Welding |
| Electrical & Electronics | Connector shells, terminal clips, sensor housings, fuse box brackets | Precision Stamping |
Why Choose Conwhole for Automotive Metal Parts?
📋 PPAP Documentation — Audit-Ready
PPAP Level 3 documentation including FAI, material certs, CPK reports, and process flow diagrams. Your sourcing team gets audit-ready paperwork on every project — no chasing, no gaps.
🏭 Multi-Process — One Supplier
Stamping + welding + CNC + cutting — all in-house. No coordinating 3 suppliers for one assembly. We deliver complete sub-assemblies, not just loose parts.
⚡ Prototype Fast Track
Laser-cut prototypes in 3-5 days before committing to stamping tooling. Test fit and function early — reduce NPI risk and accelerate your development timeline.
🔍 IATF-Aligned Quality System
While we are not IATF 16949 certified, our quality system is IATF-aligned — FMEA-based process control, SPC monitoring, in-die sensors, and annual layout inspection. You get Tier-1 quality discipline without Tier-1 overhead.
Frequently Asked Questions — Automotive Metal Parts
Q1: Do you provide PPAP documentation?
Yes. We provide PPAP Level 3 documentation as standard for automotive projects. This includes: Design Records, Engineering Change Documents, Dimensional Results (FAI), Material & Performance Test Results, Process Flow Diagram, PFMEA, Control Plan, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and Part Submission Warrant (PSW). Our quality team manages the full PPAP package.
Q2: Are you IATF 16949 certified?
Conwhole is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Our quality management system is IATF-aligned — we follow FMEA-based process control, SPC, and PPAP methodology. For projects requiring IATF 16949, we can work under your certification via a managed subcontract arrangement. The majority of our automotive clients find our ISO + IATF-aligned system fully sufficient for their Tier 2/3 and aftermarket requirements.
Q3: What’s the minimum order quantity for automotive parts?
We have no minimum order for prototype and NPI (New Product Introduction) phases. For production, cost-effectiveness increases at 5,000+ pieces annually. We support everything from 50-piece prototype runs to 5,000,000+ high-volume production.
Q4: Can you handle the entire process — from blanking to finished coated part?
Yes. Our one-stop capabilities include: laser blanking → stamping → welding → CNC machining → surface finishing → assembly → packaging. We manage the entire manufacturing chain, including our managed finishing partner network for plating, coating, and anodizing. You receive finished, QC-passed parts ready for your assembly line.
Q5: What automotive steel grades can you work with?
We stamp and weld mild steel (DC01, SPCC), high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA), advanced high-strength steel (AHSS including DP600/DP800), stainless steel (304, 316, 409, 439), aluminum (5052, 6061, 6063), and spring steel (65Mn, SK5). Material thickness from 0.1mm to 8.0mm.
Q6: How long does new part development take?
Typical timeline from drawing to PPAP: Tooling design & manufacturing: 2-6 weeks. First samples: +1-2 weeks. PPAP documentation & submission: +1-2 weeks. Total: 4-10 weeks depending on complexity. Rush programs can be expedited.
Q7: How do you handle engineering changes (ECN)?
We follow a formal ECN (Engineering Change Notice) process: your engineering change request → our DFM review and tooling impact assessment → revised quotation and timeline → approval → implementation. Minor changes can be implemented within 1-2 weeks; major tooling modifications may require 3-6 weeks.
Q8: Do you ship directly to assembly plants?
Yes. We ship directly to your specified destination — assembly plant, warehouse, or 3PL. We support EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP terms. Standard packaging includes anti-rust protection, custom labeling, and barcode/RFID tagging per your requirements. Consolidated shipping and Kanban/milk-run arrangements available for long-term programs.
Ready to Source Automotive Metal Parts?
Send us your drawing or specification. Our engineering team will provide a DFM review, tooling proposal, and quotation within 24 hours.
📧 market@conwhole.com
📱 WhatsApp: +86 180 6900 0612
⏱️ Response within 2 business hours