The United States has been a car-crazy country ever since the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in 1908. Our country’s love affair with cars, trucks and SUVs has created an automotive industry that generates hundreds of billions of dollars in sales every year.
While a lot of people may know how to change their car’s oil and replace some hoses and belts, what isn’t as well known is how CNC machining has been leveraged to make automobiles more reliable, powerful and faster than ever before.
All of these factors are made possible thanks in large part to CNC machining.
Reliability
It wasn’t that long ago when turning the key in your automobile seemed like a game of chance — turn the key on a cold day and it might start; turn the key after a few days of inactivity, and it definitely wouldn’t start.
The problem with cars as recently as 20 years ago was their reliance on unreliable starter motors. This part of the engine was very imprecise. Fortunately, this is no longer the case, thanks to CNC machining. Modern starter motors are much more precise and reliable than their previous counterparts.
Power
It’s amazing how much horsepower car companies are packing into their engines these days. About 25 years ago, the average 2-liter engine could crank out about 100 horsepower. Today, a 2-liter engine will push close to 200 horsepower.
The difference? CNC machining allows parts and components to be built with higher tolerances and better efficiency, leading to more power.
Speed and Efficiency
The same benefits of CNC machining — precision, tolerance and smaller sizes — that have resulted in increased reliability and power have resulted in more speed and better efficiency.
Do you want to find out more about CNC machining and the automotive industry? Download a PDS brochure today.