• Planning for the un-plannable:- it only takes one missing 5.1mm pin to slow up production on one of the many 16,000+ components that make up a Formula One car.
• We’re fortunate to have a dedicate and highly skilled workforce with ex-production team leaders from podium winning race teams.
• To ensure full conformance of every component that leaves our shop floor, we offer a 3D laser inspection service which enables us to inspect the 3D form of components to within 30um.
• We understand the stresses and strains involved in the Formula One build and we continue to be adaptive and flexible to the ever-changing needs of our customers. If you’d like to discuss preparations for the new season. Click here to contact your SCC representative.

Background

A lot of what makes up a Formula One production facility can be found in the depths of online press releases, article and forums. But, when it comes down to the current and leading-edge technology it’s a completely different story, because those few extra design and manufacturing tweaks can be the difference between winning and losing. It’s a constant R&D cycle. New production techniques are being tested on a day to day basis and it’s our job to be constantly adaptive and receptive to the ever-changing needs of our F1 clients. But the two things that remain consistent are our ability to deliver on time and to the highest possible quality. Below are some of the factors that we pride ourselves on and why we are the chosen supplier of podium winning Formula One teams for the production of structurally integral components.

Planning for the Un-Plannable  

We are constantly hedging to make sure we have the right abrasives, enough 3M 9323, Hysol EA 9394, bagging tape, 6mm bushes, locators pins, pattern block screws and melamine board for the new build season. Its an endless list of parts, materials and know-how. And it’s from being in this game for so long that ensures that we’re prepared with the right materials and supplies to plan for the unknown.

Planning for the unplannable is difficult but not impossible. One of our most recent initiatives has been the commissioning of a new metal workshop. You might think, what is a composite manufacturing facility doing working with milling machines and lathes. But, it only takes one missing 5.1mm pin to slow up the production of a composite mould needed for the manufacture of one of the 16,000+ components that make up a Formula One car; and in most cases those parts were order today, and need yesterday! So instead of ordering a new pin in, we take a 6mm, turn it into a 5.1 that morning and get it straight into our clean rooms to make sure that there is no hold up in production.

Its through constantly thinking ahead and being on the front foot, that enables us to maintain a reliable service.

Lead-times

As a Formula One supplier, despite having jobs for specific parts booked in for manufacture months in advance, we won’t be able to manufacture those components until the final design revisions have been submitted and the composite kits are cut and delivered. This can sometimes be the day before or even after the date we need to deliver back to the team.

It is a huge research and development project to redesign, tweak and perfect the new seasons cars and very often continues right up until the last moment to squeeze every last drop of brilliance into a beautifully designed motorsport vehicle. This is just the nature of the industry. At SCC we make sure that our workforce are primed and ready for the build with practices parts from previous seasons cars to ensure that everything runs smoothly when the new revisions are submitted. This ensures that when a the race team gives us the go ahead and need a part ‘tomorrow’ or even ‘yesterday’, we’re ready to go.

Workforce

We’re fortunate to have a dedicate and highly skilled workforce with ex-production team leaders from podium winning race teams, which is why SCC are trusted with critical and structurally integral parts. We pride ourselves on an incredibly low staff churn rate, because we take the time to instil confidence and pride into every one of them and in return we see them take ownership in their tasks, responsibility and pride in their work. This brings a new level of competence that is needed for the manufacturing of high precision and critical components to achieve those higher levels of performance and safety.

Quality

Due to the high-performance nature of Formula One cars and meticulous research that has gone into the design of the cars, it is incredibly important to ensure that each component is made as accurately as possible. Because a 0.1mm deflection in an aerodynamical critical component can have a significant knock on effect on the intended characteristics and performance of downstream components of the car.

To ensure full conformance of every component that leaves our shop floor, we offer a 3D laser inspection service, which enable us to inspect the complex 3D shape of components to within 30um.

SCC is AS9100 accredited for the “The manufacture, assembly and supply of composite products to include full lot traceability of materials used for the automotive, aerospace, space and defence sectors against customer specification.” and our most up to date certificate be found at the bottom of our homepage, or by clicking here.

Adaptable

We have a combination of both full-time and pre-audited contract staff, so that when things get busy in the build we have the skilled man power on hand to get the job done.

Due to the leading edge and unpredictable nature of Formula One production, this environment lends itself to innovation and building engineers who can think on their feet. SCC are constantly troubleshooting and problem solving to resolve the challenges faced when working on a new geometries, leading edge lay-up procedures and new production processes to ensure that we get best results possible. Over years of experience we have built up a huge knowledge of processing methods and materials, which has been supported by a strong relationship with our F1 customers.

Find Out More…

We understand the stresses and strains involved in the Formula One build stage of the seasons and we continue to be adaptive and flexible to the ever-changing needs of our customers. If you’d like to discuss preparations for the new season. Please feel free to contact with you SCC representative, or ask for Production Manager, Peter Fromant.F