OEM validation. Tier supplier support. Production-intent.

APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning): we provide documentation compatible with customer APQP processes — material certifications, process documentation, dimensional verification reports. Not APQP-certified ourselves, but our documentation satisfies customer APQP auditor requirements. PPAP (Production Part Approval Process): Levels 1-3 documentation available. Level 1 (just dimensional) standard on all orders. Level 3 (full PPAP with capability studies) for production-intent orders.

For automotive prototypes that will scale to production, using production-intent materials is critical. Validation prototypes built on wrong material don't validate anything. We source from approved automotive material suppliers: aluminum mill certified to OEM specifications, steel traceable to AIAG supply chain, plastics per material specs. Material certificates included standard on automotive orders.

Yes — growing portion of automotive workstream. Experience includes: battery pack enclosures (aluminum structural), motor housings, inverter components, busbar hardware, charging infrastructure components. EV programs typically move faster than traditional automotive — 12-18 months vs 36+ month development cycles. Lead times and decision speed often critical.

Motorsport work includes: F1 aerodynamic components, WEC transmission parts, NASCAR chassis brackets, aftermarket performance parts. Motorsport is tolerance-critical (±0.025 mm typical) and schedule-critical (race deadlines absolute). Reduced documentation requirements vs OEM — focus on engineering performance rather than audit compliance.

Standard prototype: 7-14 days. Production-intent prototype with full documentation: 10-21 days. Rush automotive programs (race deadlines, launch schedules): 5-7 days possible with premium. Production ramp support (first article + production inspection): typically 3-6 weeks total project timeline. Many automotive customers have standing quote relationships to reduce per-job quoting overhead.

Critical for automotive where assembly fit and function matter. Our approach: review complete assembly stack-up during DFM, flag features where machining tolerance could compound to assembly issue, recommend tightening specific features while loosening others. Result: actual assembly performance without unnecessary machining cost. This engineering review is included on complex automotive assemblies.