Importance of Standards in automotive engineering

Today's automotive engineering environment is filled with challenges. However, making an impact and being competitive means never standing still.

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The important role Standards play in the automotive engineering industry

The automotive engineering industry is complex. There is pressure for suppliers and manufacturers to use the latest technologies and materials while at the same time meeting strict cost and quality demands.

This mix of trying to meet new technology demands on a lowering budget can cause a lack of control over the quality and conformance of materials supplied, increasing the need to understand and identify where issues can arise both internally and with external manufacturers.

As the automotive industry evolves and expands, there are key challenges in today's environment that most organisations face.

Key challenges for automotive engineering

The challenge of ensuring your complex and dispersed network of independent suppliers and component manufacturers are compliant
The process of putting a new car on the market has become elaborate and largely standardised

Increasing standards to maintain the controlled flow of materials into the assembly plants as and when required to stay economical

One of the ongoing challenges is the need to stay on top of risk and compliance requirements. In today's hi-tech automotive industry, Standards are more important than ever to ensure materials and products are meeting their specifications.

Keeping up with an industry always on the move

As the nature of the industry is constantly changing, the need to stay up to date with the latest Standards and requirements is essential to overcome challenges.

With the constant need to meet cost, environmental and compliance demands - Standards are the building blocks to any organisation in this space while helping to identify business and market growth opportunities.

Regardless of the challenge a organisation faces, Standards provide guidance on best practice for processes, systems and management. This information can present new opportunities and solutions through facilitating problem solving.

Utilising this information can help form your next move, from innovating how you test your products right down to the material it can be made from. Exploring your options based on the requirements of a Standard could be what you need to face the challenge head-on.

Important Standards within automotive engineering

Quality Management

TS ISO 16949:2011 Quality Management - Particular requirements for the application of for automotive production and relevant service part organizations sets out the quality management system requirements for automotive production, service and accessory parts. It is not a standalone quality management Standard, but implemented as a supplement to, and in conjunction with ISO 9001:2015.

Fuel Standards

SAE J 312:2019 Automotive Gasolines which provides a summary of the composition of modern automotive gasolines. It also covers their physical properties, chemical characteristics and test methods.

ISO 19078:2013 (R2018) Gas Cylinders - Inspection of the cylinder installation, and requalification of high pressure cylinders for the on board storage of natural gas as a fuel for automotive vehicles. This Standard describes the requirements for the inspection, installation and requalification of high pressure cylinders for safe on-board storage o natural gas. It covers the inspection body and inspectors, cylinder, valve and pressure relief device inspection, installation and mounting inspection and more.

Engine Oil Standards

SAE J 2227:2019 Global tests and specifications for automotive engine oils lists engine and laboratory tests for service fill engine oils.

For more applicable engineering Standards, browse the category ICS code 43 Road vehicle engineering for a range of Standards relating to:

43.020 Road vehicles in general
43.040 Road vehicle systems (including systems in general, electrical and electronic equipment, car informatics, braking systems and more)
43.060 Internal combustion engines for road vehicles (including engine block and internal components, cooling systems, lubricating systems, fuel systems and more)
43.080 Commercial vehicles (including trucks and trailers, buses and other commercial vehicles)
43.100 Passenger cars. Caravans and light trailers
43.120 Electric road vehicles
43.140 Motorcycles and mopeds
43.150 Cycles
43.160 Special purpose vehicles
43.180 Diagnostic, maintenance and test equipment

The importance of Standards for the automotive engineering industry is undoubtable. They can help address key challenges and shape how you respond. Without these guidelines, producing a product safe for the end user would be impossible.

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