In order to ensure optimum quality control, ARP has grown to be exceptionally self-reliant and now controls all aspects of the manufacturing process. All operations are performed in-house and closely monitored. This is how ARP has been able to establish a reputation for “zero defects” quality throughout the industry. The process begins right at the mill, where ARP orders only premium grade materials including several proprietary alloys. The ever-popular 8740 chrome moly steel, for example, comes from the mill in four distinct grades. The lowest is “commercial,” which is followed by “aircraft quality.” ARP uses only the top two grades (SDF and CHQ), which cost twice as much, but provide the foundation for defect-free fasteners. These materials come in bar stock (for studs) and huge coils (for bolts).
Transforming raw material into a fastener begins with “hot” and “cold” heading processes. Material is fed into powerful devices and cold forged, or induction-heated and formed under tons of pressure.
Following the basic shaping, material is heat-treated to desired levels. This crucial process is done entirely in-house to assure total quality control. ARP uses special vertical racks to hold each piece individually and assure complete 360° penetration. This is far superior to commonly-used methods of dumping items into a large bin and batch-treating. Studs are centerless ground to guarantee concentricity. The thread rolling operation (to MIL-S-8879A specs) is done after heat-treat, which accounts for a fatigue strength up to ten times higher than fasteners which are threaded prior to heat-treat.
ARP manufactures nuts in a multi-step process that begins with raw material being fed into a giant forming device that “blanks” the hex and 12-point nuts and continues with highly sophisticated automated threading equipment tapping each nut with an accuracy of .001? (which is five times higher than the aerospace standard). This ensures an exceptionally closetolerance fit between the bolt/stud and nut.
Metal finishing is also performed in-house at ARP. Operations include black oxide coating of chrome moly or polishing stainless steel to a brilliant luster.
Also on the premises is a fully-equipped lab for R&D and quality control. It has everything required to ensure that ARP products measure up to the company’s ultra high standards. Some of the tests that ARP personnel perform on a daily basis include proof loading (using a 120,000 lb. capability tensile machine), fatigue cycle (Amsler) and hardness (Rockwell). Visual inspections include use of an optical comparator (to check thread root contour, etc.), fixtured micrometers and microscopic grain flow analysis. The computer-controlled fatigue cycle testers allow ARP to take fasteners to a failure point in millions of cycles – as opposed to the aerospace norm of 65,000 average to 130,000 cycles maximum. This allows ARP engineers to verify the design specifications of each fastener, and prove its ability to provide superior long-term service.
What ARP Can Do For You
In addition to manufacturing a comprehensive array of cataloged fasteners for automotive and aerospace applications, ARP thrives on the challenges of developing fasteners to solve unique problems. Racers, Pro Street enthusiasts and street rodders have, over the years, approached ARP about manufacturing special fasteners for unique applications, and the company has responded with innovative solutions.
ARP can provide complete R&D services, including metallurgical research, product design, prototype machining and extensive laboratory testing. Moreover, ARP has experience manufacturing fasteners from a wide variety of materials. All work can be performed under the strictest confidence. ARP is well versed in facilitating proprietary research and custom manufacturing for corporations the world over. It is for good reason that ARP is recognized as “The World Leader In Fastener Technology!”
ARP QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFICATIONS
Automotive Racing Products, Inc. is proud to announce that it has achieved registration for both the ISO9001 and the AS9100 quality standards. These registrations represent ARP's unwavering dedication to producing quality fasteners, continually improving their quality management system and delivering total customer satisfaction.
These registrations include all of ARP's facilities in Santa Paula, California, where all ARP products are manufactured, as well as our sales and packacing facility in Ventura, California.
Both ARP registrations have been certified by National Quality Assurance, USA. of Acton, Massachusetts., which is accredited by ANAB.
Mike Holzapfel, president of ARP, stated, "The way our fasteners are used in racing has mandated that our company be focused on quality. In fact, when my father started the company, it was in response to the low quality fasteners that were available to racers in the early 70's. The ISO 9001 and AS9100 registrations show our commitment to quality has been fully documented and institutionalized. We are committed to living up to these standards in every product we make."