Headliner Headlines

No, you won't see it in your local newspaper, but at International Automotive Components, Maple Div. (IAC Maple), the on-site measurement services provided by CMM Inc. were welcome news. IAC is a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, with manufacturing locations in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

In 2010, IAC Maple was tasked with the responsibility of launching a headliner project to be installed in a new vehicle scheduled for assembly in southern Ontario. This was a new product area for the Maple division, which had been producing plastic parts such as HVAC air ducts and windshield washer reservoirs. To properly prepare for production, IAC Maple needed a significant amount of accurate measurement data for engineering analysis and to properly set up production tooling. While IAC Maple had a CMM machine, it didn't have the capacity to measure components the size of automotive headliners. The soft and flexible nature of the headliner was also an issue which was new to them, relative to type of parts they were familiar with. Jim Wu, Quality Assurance Manager, commented on this difference, noting that with the stiffer plastic parts such as air ducts, "we don't have any challenges like how much pressure you have to apply to pick up different points."

Although IAC Maple contacted another service provider regarding their new measurement needs, the contract was won by CMM Inc. due to the capabilities and flexibility previously provided to IAC Maple." The previous service had been satisfactory, noted Jim Wu, plus, "everybody is very polite and accommodating." Perhaps most importantly, CMM Inc. was able to meet IAC Maple's tight scheduling requirements. The company was "very accommodating in terms of meeting my requirements," said Wu. "Sometimes I needed it immediately; they (IAC's automotive customer) gave me only a couple of days – or one day – to be on site to provide a service, and I'm getting it."

CMM Inc. has, over the past six months, provided on-site quality and inspection support to IAC Maple as they prepare for full production of four different headliner products. This was accomplished using a combination of ROMER portable arm, LEICA T-Probe and T-Scan measurement technologies. A CMM primary metrology technician has also provided a considerable level of quality engineering expertise to help IAC Maple with implementation of QC requirements for this program. Typical response time for scheduling has been one to three days in most cases. This quick reaction time has proven to be critical to IAC Maple in meeting their customers' requirements. Jim Wu notes, "Anything they want to know as far as dimensional status on the part, they want it immediately. They want the data, to see where they stand. Your company is able to provide me that kind of service to meet our customer requirement."

As a result of CMM Inc.'s inspection support efforts, IAC Maple has been able to comply with all of their customers' technical and quality requirements at the pre-production stage, which will ensure continuance of this multi-year program for the company.