Custom car interior
Interior parts of a car are becoming increasingly more important than exterior ones in the users’ eyes. The emotional factor of car purchase is highly focused on car interior parts names, like the steering wheel, gear shifter, cup holder, seats, interior lighting, pedals, and the rest.
This has triggered a wave of custom car interior ideas that manufacturers get orders for. Car interior parts dealers and providers can turn to manufacturing technologies like injection molding, CNC machining, and 3D printing.
The material options are also broad, ranging from metals to plastics, and composites to wood. The result depends on the expertise applied and the technologies used.
To bring the idea of custom car interior manufacturing into perspective, let’s discuss further.
Types Of Car Interior Parts
Interior parts of a car are as important in the functioning and outlook of the car as the other systems. An easy way to outline the car interior parts names is to categorize them:
Parts For Driving Control
Interior car parts in this category are the ignition, horn, steering wheel, pedals (clutch, brake, and accelerator), and gear shift.
Custom steering wheel
Parts For Car Safety And Signaling
Under this, we have car interior parts like airbags, car seatbelts, signal lever, emergency flasher, and rearview mirror.
Parts For Connectivity And User Entertainment
Car occupants stay connected and entertained thanks to interior parts like speakers, equalizers, an amplifier, and the central control screen.
Parts For Driving Experience And Overall Interior Environment
These, too, are critical parts that car interior manufacturers must consider. This list includes sun visors, ventilation, floor mat, seats, and headliner.
Parts For Driving Convenience
When it comes to optimum driving convenience, parts that users focus on are the glove compartment, the center console, and the door lock control.
Custom center console
How Does Material Selection Influence Custom Car Interior Parts Design?
The influence of material selection on the design of car interior parts is manifold. It encompasses factors like ergonomics, durability, safety, maintenance, aesthetics, and noise control.
Materials that minimize vibrations and noise are highly regarded because they enhance the driving experience.
Car interior parts material should be durable and capable of withstanding all manner of regular use. The material should be highly resistant to wear and tear.
The safety of every car component is paramount. The materials used for interior parts should comply with the safety standards.
The best manufacturers choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain. They also ensure that the material has the best colors and textures, which serve for both aesthetics and functionality.
What Manufacturing Method Is Best For Customizing Car Interiors?
When looking to get the best customized car interior parts or components, the main options are CNC machining, injection molding, vacuum casting, and 3D printing. Each of these will apply differently because of the different pros and cons it brings to the project.
CNC Machining
Auto makers highly regard CNC machining for interior parts because this technology offers high precision and flexibility. It is suitable for both prototyping and low-volume production runs.
Characterized by the use of a cutting tool to remove material from a block, CNC machining services suit a broad range of car interior parts, including;
- Dashboard panels
- Door handles
- Gear shift knobs
- Air conditioning vents
- Cup holders
- Seat adjustment levers
- Amplifier mounts
CNC-machined door handle
Injection Molding
Injection molding is defined by the injection of molten thermoplastic into precise molds to create relevant car interior parts. The parts are ready when the molten material has cooled in the mold and been removed.
It is a preferred technique for precise parts of complex geometries and excellent surface finishes. Popular interior parts of a car produced in this manner are armrests, air vent housings, collapsible cup holders, and seat adjustment knobs.
Vacuum Casting
Vacuum casting uses a vacuum chamber to manufacture custom car interior parts of excellent surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and many details. It applies to metals, plastics, and composites. Often used in low-volume manufacturing and prototyping, this technique helps make the following car interior parts:
- Knobs and switches
- Seat adjustment knobs
- Air vent prototypes
- Center console prototypes
Can 3D Printing Create Custom Car Interior Parts?
Yes, 3D printing is a common method in manufacturing car interior parts. It is an additive manufacturing technology and can be in the form of selective laser sintering (SLS), stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and other techniques.
This approach is popularly used to create customized interior parts such as door panels, controls, and head restraints.
A custom 3D printed car accessory
Most manufacturers use 3D printing for prototyping before engaging in mass production of custom car interior parts.
Design Considerations For Custom Car Interior Manufacturing
Here are important design considerations for custom car interior manufacturing;
1. Aesthetics - Aesthetics in car interiors were once a preserve of high-end cars, but that is no longer the case. Manufacturers must now consider elements like color scheme, material choice, layouts of components, and lighting ambience.
2. Ergonomics - Vehicle interior part ergonomics is an important element of design. Focus areas for the manufacturer in this respect are noise level, placement of buttons, seat designs, and so on.
Custom ergonomic car seats
3. Functionality - The different car interior parts should be manufactured for intuitiveness and ease of use, with all elements within the reach of the driver.
Post-Finishing Options For Custom Car Interior Parts
Car interior modification and manufacturing are incomplete without some form of post-finishing on parts. Surface treatment enhances the functional elements and aesthetics of car interior parts. The options can enhance corrosion resistance, friction resistance, durability, and much more.
Here are the options popular with car manufacturers:
- Chemical treatment
- Vacuum plating
- Thermal spraying
- Painting
- Electroplating
- Cleaning
In Conclusion
Quality car interior parts are more than just appearance - they enhance resale value, increase durability, and increase user experience. To make the driving experience valuable and the car stand out from the rest, users are encouraged to insist on using parts from reputable car interior manufacturers.
The best manufacturers use advanced manufacturing techniques and know the best materials for custom car interior manufacturing. Above all, they involve stakeholders in every stage of the manufacturing journey.
Contact ProleanMFG today to learn more.
FAQ’s:
What are the most essential car accessories?
The most essential car accessories include floor mats, emergency kits, gadget mounts, and seat covers.
How much does it cost to replace the interior of a car?
The cost to replace the interior of a car varies widely depending on the type of car, the type of material, labor requirements, and the urgency of the work.
