China Metal Parts consumer electronics industry hero image

Accelerating Production of Industrial Equipment and Components

Meet the growing need for connected hardware while still supporting legacy equipment and machinery with custom parts

Industrial equipment and machinery manufacturers are living in two worlds these days. They are dramatically embracing digital connectivity with features like sensors and actuators that exchange critical data with other machines and computer networks. At the same time, many of these companies must also service and support a large inventory of existing equipment and machinery with elongated life cycles—products that may have been put into use decades ago. From farm machinery OEMs and industrial truck and tractor makers to manufacturers of oil field machinery and other industrial equipment, companies can advance into the digital era while not abandoning their existing equipment with the help of digital manufacturing.



Why China Metal Parts for Industrial Equipment and Machinery Components?



Infinite Capacity

Access to over 1,000 mills, presses, and 3D printers running 24/7 for end-use production parts within days.


Material Selection

Choose from more than 30 different metal alloys and hundreds of industrial-grade plastic materials.


industrial equipment icon


Jigs and Fixtures

Get production floor aids that help streamline assembly and create efficient workflow processes.


Flexible Parts

Use elastomeric materials like silicone rubber and TPU for highly durable seals, gaskets, and other internal components.


Custom Components

Quickly replace one-off equipment components with machined parts in as fast as 24 hours.


3d CAD rendering of engine braking component produced by Jacob's vehicle, manufactured by China Metal Parts

Speeding up Braking for Jacobs Vehicle Systems

Without engine braking, trucking as we know it would be impossible. When not using the accelerator, engine brakes use the power of an engine to slow down trucks—a mission-critical element of modern trucking. They do that in tandem with physical brakes. But not all engine brakes are the same, mostly due to space considerations in different trucks—it’s never a one-size-fits-all proposition. Because of this, Connecticut-based Jacobs Vehicle Systems turned to Rapid Manufacturing, a China Metal Parts company, to develop multiple prototypes with different form factors, then carry those through to the production phase.

READ JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS SUCCESS STORY

What Materials Work Best for Industrial Applications

Steel and Stainless Steel. It’s strong, machinable, and relatively low in cost. Oil and gas fields, for example, often favor stainless steel for its corrosion resistance. Superalloys such as 3D-printed Inconel are an alternative for demanding applications.

stainless steel 3D printed part using Iconel material

Aluminum. Though there is less concern with the component weight of industrial equipment and machinery, aluminum is often a metal of choice because of its excellent machinability and lower overall manufacturing cost.

aluminum industrial equipment part

Thermosets and Thermoplastics. Liquid silicone rubber and other elastomers are widely used for applications requiring fuel-resistant parts while high-performance thermoplastics such as PEEK and PEI (Ultem) can serve as stand-ins for metal in some situations.

 

PEEK and PEI (Ultem) thermoset and thermoplastics

Commodity Plastics. As companies retrofit existing equipment with computer electronics to meet connectivity demands, a large range of versatile and affordable thermoplastics can be leveraged.

thermoplastic materials used for equipment like consumer electronics in manufacturing

Common Applications

We have several capabilities within our services and processes ideal for industrial. A few common applications include:

  • Machine and tool parts
  • Jigs and fixtures
  • Electronic housings
  • Pumps and accessories
  • Oil and gas extraction equipment
  • General industrial machinery
  • Conveyors and conveying equipment
  • Parts for tractors, bulldozers, forklifts, and other heavy construction and individual vehicles and equipment


aerospace industry get a quote background of machined cog wheels

Free moldability analysis within hours

inquiry.us@made-parts.com