A better way to make turn signal switches

Computer analysis of a metal stamping and plastic molding let Micro Contacts Inc., Hicksville, N.Y., drastically simplify a switch for automotive turn signals. The new design uses just two components compared to the five needed previously.

Sherri L. Koucky

Sept. 27, 2001

Overall component costs are also half of what they once were.

Micro Contacts provides both stampings and moldings for the new design. This, says the company, addresses a long-standing problem with turn-signal stalks: It has been tough to trace back subcomponent failures in assembled stalks to a single component. The reason is that stampings and moldings for wiper assemblies have generally come from different suppliers. The new stalk design concentrates responsibility for component reliability on one source

Sherri Koucky