Q: What are the largest parts available using your services?
A: Sizes vary but generally they can fit in a 3 x 3 x 3 foot crate due to machine capacity but long skinny parts can be made such as special tubes. For larger parts, see the FHE web portal and contact them with your drawings and specifications.
Q: What is the smallest part available using your manufacturing service?
A: The answer varies but in general, 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 mm [.100 x .100 x .100 inch] is a lower limit.
Q: Are your items manufactured in Canada?
A: No, the manufacturing takes place in the USA. The only exception is for specialty raw materials such as copper tungsten and some other metals and alloys because Torrey Hills sells the best materials and they happen to be imported.
Q: What type of materials are used for automotive production manufacturing?
A: Many materials are used such as aluminum, steel, plastic (often with a coating), chrome, rubber, fiberglass and more. Many hybrid and mixed materials are used as well. Tesla Motors uses copper blocks that are plated with thick silver and then assembled into rotary motors. Copper tungsten is not used much in automotive production, that is more common in aerospace and instrumentation.
Q: If avoiding rust, what materials should be used and vice versa?
A: Testing would be needed but steels and metals should be avoided if possible. Stainless steel, especially 316L will not rust right away but once exposed to salt and H2O deterioration could happen over a period of time. Plastic and ceramics work well because they do not tend to deteriorate although plastics are more for temperatures not too high or low. One common misconception is that aluminum does not corrode but it will if exposed to salt. One approach if using metal is to highly polish. Protective coatings are also effective. A similar approach is to make a plastic part then giving it a metallic coating. Both approaches are common and widely used in the automotive and other industries. The plastic part can take on chrome, copper or nickel. We recommend copper or perhaps nickel when possible.
Q: I have some questions on molybdenum. Where do I find information?
A: See our Molybdenum Page.
Updated: 13 FEB 2015
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