Engine Dipstick Tube Manufacturing: Everything You Should Know
Engine dipstick tubes play a critical part in our everyday lives. Think about how often oil changes are performed. The tube that gets pulled out of the oil pan from the engine block? An engine dipstick.
While these pieces of equipment might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of important vehicle components, we couldn’t operate and maintain vehicles without them.
RB Royal is a proud manufacturer of custom dipsticks and tubes, using our Design-ufacturing process. In this blog, learn more about how this essential piece of equipment is created, what to expect during manufacturing, and how to find the right manufacturer.
How Are Engine Dipstick Tubes Manufactured?
Engine dipsticks might be one of the smallest components within any vehicle, but that doesn’t make the manufacturing process any less important.
The process starts with material selection. There are two main parts to the dipstick: handles and blades. The blade is the long, metal shaft that is made from stainless steel. There are three distinct blade styles: flat wire, round wire, and flexible wire. The varying styles are used for different purposes based upon customer needs and requirements.
The handle is the portion of the dipstick that’s placed at the top of the product that’s used to grab and pull the stick out of the engine block. Handles are often made out of a nylon resin and can come in different colors.
The tube itself is what the engine dipstick goes into. It rests inside the engine block and guides the dipstick into the oil pan safely and securely. Tubes at RB Royal are made out of stainless steel, but can be made with brass or polymer. They are available in raw, painted, or plated finishes based upon a given customer’s request.
Once the material is selected, the given material is cut to the designed length and then formed so that it may fit into the engine block. Every engine is different, so the tube size has to match given parameters. Since these are custom tubes, they are going to need custom fittings so that the tubes may be secured tightly and safely into the engine block.
The final step in manufacturing involves finishing to protect the tube from elements like heat from the engine or any potential residue that comes from normal wear and tear of operation.
A key component throughout the assembly process is quality control. That’s why working with an ISO 9001 certified company is essential to ensure it is focused on quality management and has a deliberate system in place.
Is Engine Dipstick Tube Manufacturing Universal?
While the application and usage is the same, the only thing that changes during the manufacturing process is the size. Dipsticks and tubes come in different sizes because engine sizes vary from vehicle to vehicle. Because of that, engine blocks and oil pans are different sizes. An engine dipstick and tube made for a Toyota Corolla isn’t going to be the same size as for a Boeing 737.
How to Find the Right Manufacturer
Working with the right manufacturer makes all the difference because of this one detail. Measurements and accuracy are essential during manufacturing.
A company that is ISO 9001 Certified is going to put to rest any worries about quality management. The certification shows a company is committed and excels in quality management with a dedicated focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Learn More About Working with RB Royal
RB Royal has been a dedicated manufacturer and industry leader since 1942. As an ISO 9001 certified company, quality is central to everything we do, from our processes to our customer service.
Custom engine dipstick tubes are one of the many custom products we bring to life with our ‘Design-ufacturing’ approach. Connect with us today to learn more about custom engine dipstick options and how we can best serve your next project.