Proterial » PCA Automotive Leads the Way with Purpose-Built Cable Manufacturing
Modern vehicles are increasingly being equipped with a complex list of wires, tubes and sensors enabling smart wheel control and monitoring. These technologies enhance the responsiveness of steering and braking systems, making vehicles safer and able to respond faster. So when a car manufacturer is choosing which cable or tube to use on their new vehicle, it helps to know the component was engineered by experienced professionals that understand its specific purpose.
That’s where Proterial Cable America comes in.
“We’re specifically designing automotive hydraulic and electronic brake systems for each customer’s specific chassis, not looking at a portfolio of cables and thinking this one might fit the application,” says Ryan Shackett, Vice President of Sales for North America, Component Division of Proterial Cable America Automotive Solutions.
The PCA-Automotive team prides ourselves on our ability to benefit our customers. Sure, an off the shelf cable may technically be suitable for the use an original equipment manufacturer is looking for, but at PCA we design and hand pick materials to ensure performance is in line with each unique vehicle. From suspension travel to range of motion and environmental exposure, we are the partner to ensure long lasting quality and reliability.
Proterial, Ltd. facilities in Thailand, China and Vietnam manufacture different components that a car manufacturer might need, and depending on what the part is, it will come from a different Proterial facility.
In fact, the Automotive Division itself is broken into three different groups – Components, Castings and Magnet Wire and Cable. According to Shackett, different overseas facilities make different parts for each Automotive group. This ensures that the part will always be made with the customer’s needs squarely in mind.
“We offer purpose-built cables. Purpose built components,” he says.
Our commitment to purpose-built manufacturing is validated with a vigorous testing protocol prior to any of our products making it to market. We design, prototype, test and verify jointly with our customer engineering staff. Optimizing every part digitally and physically through a series of simulations and in the field testing.
“We’ve been supplying brake components for over 55 years, and we specialize in routing, which involves a lot of computerized design where we can simulate the full suspension and turn the wheel,” Shackett says.
Our routing process at PCA is a strong suit, using computer aided 3D design and robotic simulations. This way the electrical harness or brake line can be viewed at different lengths to find out how long it needs to be. We also study the designs using a combination of finite element analysis and prototype test results to predict long term wear and tear.
Tailor-made components for modern automotive systems range from tubes used in hydraulic brake lines to specialized cables for electric parking brakes (EPB) with hill assist functionality and wheel speed sensors for anti-lock braking systems (ABS).
“We do a lot of computerized design work to make cables that don’t break. We’re drawing the cables and copper at the core with that intent,” Shackett says.
“In the wheel well, we have brake systems, but over time, as vehicles are changing, there are a lot more cables and wires than in the past,” Shackett says.
PCA produces cables that support the Active Dampening System (ADS), which enhances the passenger’s comfort by controlling the suspension. The ADS opens and closes valves within the shock to adjust the feel of the suspension. Other innovations like In-Wheel Motors, which allow for better control over each wheel, allow for interesting new functionalities like driving at a sideways angle or “crab walking”, or even spinning in place. These are features that are good for activities like off-roading, but also lend themselves to maneuvering in tight spaces like in crowded cities.
Ultimately these changes are making vehicles work more efficiently for customers, and our team at PCA Automotive is happy to be a big part of it.
“All of these innovations are enabled by either tubes or cables, and we’re proud to be designing the tubes and cables to serve those purposes,” Shackett says.
Proterial Cable America Automotive is a leader in high-quality brake components for larger-type vehicles, and when you partner with PCA, you know the part you’re getting was made with your specific purpose in mind.
“There’s a lot going on in the future of braking,” Shackett says. “People want adjustability of their brakes, and an electrical signal across a copper line is faster than brake fluid. If you’re going 60 or 70 miles per hour, then milliseconds matter when it comes to braking.”
Contact the PCA Automotive sales team today to get more information on our purpose-built products. We want to partner with you so that you can rest assured, the components working to help your car stop, were made with the intention.