Where we fit
Low-volume automotive work often falls between suppliers built for millions of units and shops that only build prototypes.
Aftermarket and accessories
Upgrades, lighting and accessory controllers, and interior modules sold after the vehicle leaves the factory.
Specialty and low-volume vehicles
Custom, specialty, off-road and upfit equipment built in the hundreds or low thousands, not the millions.
Engineering and pilot builds
Prototype and pilot runs for a team proving a design before it goes to volume production.
Our certification, stated plainly
REC is registered to ISO 9001:2015. We are not IATF 16949 certified. Vehicle manufacturers generally require IATF 16949 from suppliers of production parts, so if your customer requires it for the part, we are not the right supplier for that part.
For aftermarket, accessory, specialty-vehicle and low-volume work that does not require IATF 16949, our ISO 9001 system gives you documented, audited processes, incoming inspection, in-process verification, statistical process control and 100% electrical testing on every board.
What a vehicle does to electronics
A 12 V vehicle supply is a hostile place for a circuit board. If we design your module, our engineers design for these from the start. If you bring a finished design, tell us where it lives in the vehicle and we’ll point out anything that concerns us.
Load dump and transients
When the alternator suddenly loses its load, the supply can spike well above battery voltage for a fraction of a second. Inputs need protection sized for it.
Reverse battery
A jump start done backwards puts reverse voltage on every module. Reverse-polarity protection keeps that from being fatal.
Cranking dropout
Starting the engine can pull the supply down to a few volts. A module has to ride through it or reset cleanly.
Temperature
Cabin electronics see everything from a cold-soaked morning to a dashboard in summer sun. Parts have to be rated for the range.
Vibration and moisture
Conformal coating, and support for heavy parts, keep boards working through vibration, condensation and temperature cycling.
Connectors
Through-hole and board-edge connectors carry the mechanical load. Selective soldering and inspection make those joints strong and consistent.
How we build it
Everything happens in our own facility in Roanoke. Details are on the PCB assembly page.
Assembly
SMT and automated through-hole, with wave and selective soldering for connectors and heavy parts.
Inspection and test
AOI and in-process verification, then 100% electrical testing on every board, with custom test fixtures for production runs.
Protection
Automated conformal coating in acrylic, silicone, urethane or epoxy, matched to where the module lives.
Quality system
ISO 9001:2015: documented, audited processes with traceability, incoming inspection and statistical process control.
Common questions
Are you IATF 16949 certified?
What volumes do you build?
Can you build a module that is already designed?
Can you design it too?
Will you sign an NDA before I send files?
Tell us about your module
What it does, where it lives in the vehicle, and the quantities you need. An engineer will get back to you within one business day.