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Auto Parts Starting Point

Loupe Factory starts auto-parts businesses with defaults built for industrial manufacturing, supplier coordination, traceability, and dispatch preparation. Default product names cover braking, ABS, wheel-end, axle, suspension, air-suspension, driveline, engine, filtration, electrical, body, hardware, and repair-kit categories. The starter catalog also covers high-performance and racing work, from complete race engines and forced induction to fuel, ignition, engine management, and the shop equipment that supports those builds.

Starter snapshot

Setting Auto Parts starting point
Price basis Per piece
Default weight unit Kilogram (kg)
Product emphasis Replacement and service parts across the vehicle, plus performance and race-engine programs
Material emphasis Steel and alloys, rubber, plastics, bearings, electronics, tooling, treatment chemicals, and process fluids
Measurement emphasis Diameters, lengths, thicknesses, threads, bolt circles, spline counts, and engine dimensions such as bore, stroke, and displacement
Workflow emphasis Incoming inspection, forming, machining, heat treatment, coating, assembly, validation, and dispatch

Admins can change these values and catalogs after setup.

Default inventory flow

flowchart TB
    MS["Materials & Supplies"] --> RAW["Raw Material"]
    MS --> BO["Bought-out Component"]
    RAW --> BLANK["Cast/Forged Blank"]
    RAW --> STAMP["Stamped/Pressed Blank"]
    BLANK --> MACH["Machined Component"]
    STAMP --> MACH
    BO --> MACH
    MACH --> HEAT["Heat Treated Component"]
    MACH --> WELD["Welded/Fabricated Component"]
    HEAT --> SURF["Surface Finished Component"]
    HEAT --> WELD
    SURF --> SUB["Sub-Assembly"]
    BO --> SUB
    WELD --> SUB
    SUB --> TEST["Tested & Approved"] --> QA{"Final QA Release"}
    QA -->|Pass| FIN["Finished"]
    QA -->|Sort or rework| REWORK["Need Rework / Sort"]

Bought-out components can join the route at machining or sub-assembly, which matches the way many mixed manufacturing and assembly shops operate.

Inventory types

Inventory type What your team can track with it
Materials & Supplies Steel, rubber, electronics, packaging, tooling, and shop consumables used in auto-parts manufacturing.
Raw Material Incoming steel, aluminum, rubber, polymer, and other primary materials approved for production use.
Cast/Forged Blank Primary formed blanks produced by casting or forging, waiting for machining or trimming.
Stamped/Pressed Blank Sheet-metal blanks formed by press, stamping, or deep-drawing operations before secondary processing.
Machined Component Components that completed turning, milling, drilling, or grinding and are ready for the next process.
Heat Treated Component Machined parts that passed hardening, tempering, induction, or other heat-treatment processes.
Surface Finished Component Parts that completed coating, plating, painting, phosphating, or passivation and are ready for assembly or shipment.
Bought-out Component Approved third-party components such as bearings, seals, fasteners, or electrical items purchased for assembly.
Welded/Fabricated Component Parts joined or built up through welding, bending, riveting, or fabrication operations.
Sub-Assembly Components assembled into a functional module that still needs validation or final packaging.
Tested & Approved Parts or assemblies that passed dimensional, functional, and quality checks and are cleared for dispatch.
Finished Packed, labeled, export-ready parts with final documentation, traceability, and saleable status.
Need Rework / Sort Items held for rework, segregation, or sorting after inspection found a fit, finish, or performance issue.

Finished inventory types

Finished inventory type User-friendly definition
Braking Parts Brake pads, discs, drums, caliper hardware, and related braking components.
ABS & Brake Electronics ABS sensors, tone rings, modulators, and related brake-control electronics.
Steering & Suspension Parts Control arms, ball joints, tie rods, stabilizer links, shocks, and related ride-control parts.
Air Suspension Parts Air springs, bellows, and related air-suspension service parts.
Trailer Suspension Hardware Hangers, equalizers, shackles, pins, and related trailer suspension hardware.
Suspension Bushes & Mountings Rubber, bronze, polyurethane, and bonded bush components used at chassis mounting points.
U-Bolts & Clamping Hardware U-bolts, clamp plates, nuts, and related axle or suspension clamping parts.
Wheel End & Hub Parts Wheel hubs, hub-bearing kits, wheel studs, and related wheel-end assemblies.
Wheel & Rim Parts Wheel rims and related wheel-support service parts.
Axle & Running Gear Parts Axle beams, shafts, spindles, and related running-gear parts.
Driveline & Transmission Parts CV joint kits, drive shafts, clutch parts, and transmission-side mechanical parts.
Engine Components Pumps, gaskets, seals, mounts, and other engine-related replacement parts.
Cooling System Parts Radiators, water pumps, intercoolers, hoses, and thermal-management parts.
Filtration Parts Air, oil, fuel, and cabin filters.
Electrical Parts Starter motors, alternators, ignition coils, sensors, and switches.
Rubber-to-Metal Parts Bonded parts such as engine mounts and vibration-control components.
Fasteners & Hardware Automotive fasteners, clips, studs, and installation hardware.
Body & Lighting Parts Lamp assemblies, mirrors, brackets, and related body-mounted service parts.
Service & Repair Kits Bundled repair or maintenance kits sold as complete sets.
Complete Racing Engines Turn-key and long-block race engines built for drag, radial, and no-prep applications.
Engine Internals Crankshafts, connecting rods, pistons, cylinder heads, camshafts, bearings, and related rotating-assembly parts.
Forced Induction Parts Superchargers, turbochargers, blowers, crankdrives, throttle bodies, burst panels, and intake plumbing for boosted builds.
Fuel & Engine Management Engine management systems, injectors, fuel pumps, regulators, sensors, harnesses, and driver modules.
Racing Ignition Systems Ignition modules, smart coils, spark plugs, trigger wheels, cam-sync kits, and high-performance ignition hardware.
Filters & Fluid Management Inline filter housings, elements, remote mounts, scavenge pumps, and fluid-routing hardware for race oil and fuel systems.
Racing Safety & Containment Engine diapers, ballistic blankets, absorbent pads, and containment equipment for blown and turbocharged engines.
Performance Tools & Shop Equipment Engine assembly tools, valvetrain testers, honing cups, gauges, and specialty equipment used in race-engine builds.
Racing Wheels & Chassis Hardware Drag racing wheels, bead-lock hardware, and chassis-mounted performance components sold as finished goods.
Engine Breather & Ventilation Breathers, blow-by hoses, clamshell clamps, and crankcase ventilation parts for high-horsepower engines.
Racing Fluids & Lubricants Engine oils, gear oils, transmission fluid, supercharger oil, assembly lube, and packaged racing fluids sold as retail products.

Materials & Supplies categories

Materials & Supplies category User-friendly definition
Steel & Alloys Bars, tubes, strip, feedstock, and formed steel materials used for load-bearing auto parts.
Rubber & Elastomers Rubber compounds, seals, profiles, adhesives, and bellows used for sealing, damping, and air systems.
Plastics & Polymers Engineering plastics, inserts, clips, bushes, and polymer sleeves used in component builds.
Bearings & Rolling Elements Balls, rollers, rings, cages, bushes, and related motion-control components.
Electrical & Electronics Wire, connectors, sensors, switches, PCB modules, lamp parts, and harness components.
Machining & Tooling Cutting tools, inserts, drills, jigs, fixtures, gauges, dies, and tooling spares.
Surface Treatment Chemicals Cleaning, phosphating, plating, coating, passivation, paint, and marking consumables.
Lubricants & Process Fluids Coolants, cutting oils, hydraulic fluids, grease, and rust-preventive fluids.
Packaging & Shipping Boxes, trays, labels, documents, pallets, and export-packing supplies.
Shop Consumables & Safety PPE, welding consumables, housekeeping items, and general workshop supplies.

Production stages

Production stage User-friendly definition
Incoming Material Inspection Receive raw materials and bought-out parts, then verify grade, dimensions, certificates, and lot traceability.
Blank / Primary Forming Create the first controlled blank through casting, forging, cutting, or stamping.
CNC Machining Machine bores, faces, threads, grooves, and mounting surfaces to drawing tolerances.
Heat Treatment Apply hardening, tempering, induction, or stress-relief processes to reach required mechanical properties.
Welding & Fabrication Join or build parts through welding, bending, riveting, or related fabrication steps.
Surface Treatment & Coating Apply phosphating, plating, painting, powder coating, or passivation for protection and finish quality.
Sub-Assembly Combine manufactured parts with bought-out parts into a functional module.
Testing & Validation Verify dimensions, fitment, torque, leak-tightness, hardness, or functional performance.
Final QA Release Perform final release checks, confirm documentation, and separate any units that need rework or sorting.
Pack, Label & Dispatch Pack finished parts with labels, export markings, and shipping documentation.

Size and shape defaults

Size groups

Size group User-friendly definition Example defaults
Outer diameter (OD) Outer diameter presets used for discs, hubs, rings, tubes, and rotating parts. 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm ... 180 mm, 200 mm, Mixed sizes
Inner diameter (ID) Inner diameter presets used for bushes, rings, sleeves, and tubular parts. 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm ... 100 mm, 120 mm, Mixed sizes
Length Linear length presets used for shafts, tubes, rods, and other straight parts. 1 in, 1.5 in, 2 in ... 10 ft, 12 ft, Mixed sizes
Width x Height Two-axis presets used for brackets, plates, and rectangular sections. 20x10 mm, 25x15 mm, 30x20 mm ... 12x6 ft, 15x8 ft, Mixed sizes
Thickness Thickness presets used for plate, brackets, discs, and formed stock. 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm ... 20.0 mm, 25.0 mm, Mixed sizes
Thread size Standard metric and pipe-thread presets used for threaded parts and fittings. M4 x 0.7, M5 x 0.8, M6 x 1.0 ... 3/8 NPT, 1/2 NPT, Mixed sizes
Bolt circle / PCD Bolt-circle presets used for hubs, flanges, and wheel-end parts. 63 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm ... 139.7 mm, 150 mm, Mixed sizes
Tube / Hose ID Internal-flow presets used for hoses, bellows, and fluid-transfer parts. 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm ... 45 mm, 50 mm, Mixed sizes
Tube / Shaft OD Outer size presets used for shafts, sleeves, and tubular parts. 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm ... 50 mm, 60 mm, Mixed sizes
Disc / Rotor diameter Rotor and disc diameter presets used for braking and wheel-end products. 180 mm, 200 mm, 220 mm ... 360 mm, 400 mm, Mixed sizes
Tooth / Spline count Tooth-count presets used for splined or geared interfaces. 12T, 16T, 18T ... 36T, 40T, Mixed sizes
Kit / Set quantity Pack-size presets used for bundled service kits and hardware sets. 1 pc, 2 pcs, 4 pcs ... 50 pcs, 100 pcs, Assorted
Engine displacement (cu in) Cubic-inch displacement presets used to describe race-engine packages. 350 in³, 383 in³, 408 in³ ... 572 in³, 632 in³, Mixed sizes
Engine bore (in) Cylinder bore presets used for blocks, pistons, rings, and sleeves. 4.000 in, 4.030 in, 4.065 in ... 4.840 in, 5.000 in, Mixed sizes
Engine stroke (in) Crankshaft stroke presets that pair with bore to set displacement. 3.250 in, 3.480 in, 3.622 in ... 4.375 in, 4.500 in, Mixed sizes
Engine bore spacing (in) Block bore-spacing presets that decide which heads and cranks fit. 4.800 in, 4.840 in, 4.900 in, 5.000 in, Mixed sizes
Connecting rod length (in) Rod-length presets used to match rotating assemblies. 6.450 in, 6.525 in, 6.625 in ... 7.300 in, 7.350 in, Mixed sizes
Throttle body diameter (mm) Throttle body sizes used on boosted and naturally aspirated intakes. 92 mm, 105 mm, 123 mm, 125 mm, Mixed sizes
V-band / discharge diameter (in) Connection sizes for turbo discharge, V-band clamps, and boost plumbing. 2.50 in, 3.00 in, 3.50 in ... 5.00 in, 5.50 in, Mixed sizes
Engine platform Named race-engine families used to group parts by the build they suit. 481X, 4.9 in Hemi, Raised Cam Hemi, Noonan Hemi, Big Block Chevy, Mixed sizes
Injector flow rate (lb/h) Fuel injector flow presets stated in pounds per hour. 42 lb/h, 83 lb/h, 126 lb/h ... 850 lb/h, 1000 lb/h, Mixed sizes
Injector flow rate (cc/min) The same injector flow presets stated in cubic centimeters per minute. 400 cc/min, 700 cc/min, 1000 cc/min ... 8000 cc/min, 10000 cc/min, Mixed sizes
Rated horsepower (HP) Power bands used to describe engine packages and matched components. 500 HP, 750 HP, 1000 HP ... 4500 HP, 5000 HP, Mixed sizes
Mix Broad mixed preset list used when a family needs many measurements in one product structure. 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm ... 5000 HP, Assorted, Mixed sizes

Shape defaults

Shape default User-friendly definition Linked size groups
Round / Disc Round part profile used for discs, rotors, and circular flanges. Outer diameter (OD), Thickness, Disc / Rotor diameter, Bolt circle / PCD
Cylindrical Turned or tube-like profile used for shafts, sleeves, hubs, and injectors. Outer diameter (OD), Inner diameter (ID), Length, Tube / Shaft OD, Thread size, Injector flow rate (lb/h), Injector flow rate (cc/min)
Ring Ring-style profile used for bushes, seals, and bearing-related parts. Outer diameter (OD), Inner diameter (ID), Thickness
Tubular Hollow tube profile used for pipes, sleeves, and structural tubes. Tube / Shaft OD, Tube / Hose ID, Length
Rectangular Flat rectangular section used for plates and formed brackets. Width x Height, Length, Thickness
Square Square section used for formed stock and certain bracket or spacer parts. Width x Height, Thickness
L-Shape Angle profile used for structural supports and brackets. Width x Height, Length, Thickness
U-Shape / Bracket U-bracket profile used for clamps, supports, and mountings. Width x Height, Length, Thickness
Flange Flanged profile used where bolt-circle and face dimensions matter. Outer diameter (OD), Bolt circle / PCD, Thickness
Threaded Threaded profile used for fittings, studs, and fastening components. Thread size, Length
Splined Spline profile used for torque-transfer interfaces. Outer diameter (OD), Length, Tooth / Spline count
Flexible / Hose Flexible profile used for hose and fluid-transfer products. Tube / Hose ID, Length
Kit / Set Multi-part pack structure used for service kits and bundled hardware. Kit / Set quantity
Engine Complete engine packages described by displacement, bore, stroke, and power rather than a single outline. Engine displacement (cu in), Engine bore (in), Engine stroke (in), Engine bore spacing (in), Connecting rod length (in), Throttle body diameter (mm), V-band / discharge diameter (in), Engine platform, Rated horsepower (HP)
Forced Induction Boost-system hardware such as superchargers, turbochargers, and blower drives. Rated horsepower (HP), V-band / discharge diameter (in), Throttle body diameter (mm), Outer diameter (OD), Tooth / Spline count
Custom Profile Non-standard geometry used when a part needs broader preset coverage. Mix, Injector flow rate (lb/h), Injector flow rate (cc/min), Rated horsepower (HP)
Mix Broad fallback preset for mixed-shape product families. Mix

Default item attributes

Every auto parts inventory item starts with these item attribute keys as empty rows, so the fitment details that decide whether a part is the right one travel with the stock record. Teams can fill in what applies and add any other key they need.

Default attribute key User-friendly definition
OEM Part No The manufacturer's original part number for the component, such as 04465-33471. Use the OEM or genuine number, not an internal SKU or a competitor's cross-reference.
Brand The brand or manufacturer that made the part, such as Bosch, Denso, or Toyota.
Vehicle Make The vehicle manufacturer the part fits, such as Toyota or Ford. Record the make only, not the model.
Vehicle Model The vehicle model the part fits, such as Camry or F-150. Include a trim or variant only when the source document states it.
Year Range The model years the part fits, such as 2015-2019 or 2018. Keep the range notation used by the source document.
Fitment Position Where the part mounts on the vehicle, such as Front Left, Rear, or Driver Side.

To compare these values across several items, use Show attributes in an inventory table. Search also finds values such as 04465-33471 or Front Left while the columns are closed.

Default cost components

Auto-parts businesses start with these cost component types, so a quoted price can be traced back to material, machine time, outside processing, and duty rather than a single landed figure.

Cost component What it covers
Metal Primary steel, aluminum, or iron in blocks, bar stock, forgings, castings, and machined structural parts.
Alloy Specified alloy grades, billet stock, or alloy surcharges quoted separately from generic metal.
Engine part Crankshafts, connecting rods, pistons, rings, bearings, camshafts, cylinder heads, and other rotating-assembly or valvetrain parts.
Gasket & seal Head gaskets, seal kits, O-rings, copper washers, and formed sealing components used in engine assembly.
Fastener Studs, bolts, nuts, washers, and specialty hardware allocated to the build.
Hose & fitting Hoses, V-band clamps, adapters, breathers, and fluid-connection hardware routed on the engine or chassis.
Forced induction Superchargers, turbochargers, blowers, crankdrives, intercooler plumbing, and boost-system hardware.
Fuel system Injectors, fuel pumps, rails, regulators, filters, and fuel-delivery components on the engine package.
Ignition Spark plugs, coils, ignition modules, crank triggers, cam-sync kits, and ignition-service hardware.
Electronics Engine management systems, sensors, harnesses, data loggers, switch panels, and related electronics.
Driveline Shifters, clutches, torque converters, driveshaft parts, and gear sets bundled with the engine.
Machining Block and head machine work billed per job or hour, such as bore, hone, deck, line-hone, balance, and porting.
Dyno & test Dyno cell time, tuning, leak-down, pressure testing, and validation runs before release.
Coating Nitriding, thermal barrier, ceramic, powder, and surface treatments applied to components.
Fluid Engine oil, assembly lube, transmission fluid, coolant, and other packaged fluids used in the build or first fill.
Consumable Honing stones, abrasives, cleaners, thread compound, assembly paste, and other shop supplies used during the work.
Subcontract Outsourced machine work, vendor assembly, or third-party services passed through to the job cost.
Core Core block, head, or assembly exchange charges and credits on rebuild or long-block programs.
Fabric Textiles in the assembly, such as seat cloth, headliner, insulation wraps, or trim fabric.
Leather Leather hides, stitched panels, or leather-covered trim used on interiors or accessories.
Packaging Crates, protective wrap, export boxing, labels, and shipping prep before dispatch.
Labor Assembly, teardown, inspection, quality checks, and build labor allocated per part or job.
Freight Carrier charges or inbound freight on parts, cores, and vendor kits carried into unit cost.
Overhead Shop utilities, tooling wear, admin, engineering support, or handling costs allocated to the build.
Subcontracting Outside machining, coating, balancing, welding, testing, assembly, or vendor service work.
Duty Import duty, customs fee, tariff, brokerage, or clearance cost on parts, cores, or kits.
Tax Sales tax, GST, VAT, excise, or other billable tax tied to the part or build.
Certification Compliance paperwork, dyno certificate, inspection report, serial documentation, or test record.
Inspection Incoming inspection, dimensional check, pressure test, leak check, teardown review, or final release check.
Design CAD, engineering, fitment planning, fixture design, or custom build specification work.
Setup Machine, fixture, dyno, or tooling setup and first-article preparation.
Markup Pricing uplift added above parts, labor, outside services, or overhead cost.
Wastage Expected machining loss, consumable use, failed setup material, or other nonrecoverable loss.
Scrap Recoverable metal scrap, rejected parts, damaged cores, or leftover material from the build.
Discount Customer discount, core credit, warranty allowance, promotion, or manual price adjustment.
Machine Machine time for CNC, lathe, mill, hone, balance, dyno, test bench, or fabrication equipment.

Typical starter teams

Typical starter team What this team owns Example roles
Product Engineering Drawings, tolerances, fitment data, and the specifications production builds to. Design Engineer, CAD Engineer, Engineering Manager
Tool Room & Tooling Dies, jigs, fixtures, and gauges, plus the upkeep that keeps them in tolerance. Tool Room Technician, Tooling Engineer, Tool Room Supervisor
Press Shop / Stamping Sheet and press-forming operations for stamped or pressed blanks. Press Operator, Die Setter, Stamping Supervisor
Casting & Forging Primary blanks and formed feedstock for downstream machining. Foundry Operator, Forging Technician, Casting Supervisor
CNC Machining Machining parts to drawing tolerances and final feature geometry. CNC Operator, CNC Programmer, Machining Supervisor
Heat Treatment Hardening and tempering processes that meet material specifications. Heat Treatment Operator, Metallurgy Technician, Heat Treatment Supervisor
Surface Treatment & Coating Phosphating, plating, painting, powder coating, and passivation quality. Coating Technician, Plating Operator, Coating Supervisor
Welding & Fabrication Welded or fabricated parts and substructures. Welder, Fabrication Technician, Fabrication Supervisor
Assembly Combining manufactured and bought-out parts into saleable modules. Assembly Operator, Line Leader, Assembly Supervisor
Testing & Validation Validation, fitment, and performance checks before final release. Test Technician, Validation Engineer, Test Supervisor
Quality Assurance (QA) Incoming checks, final quality release, segregation, and documentation. Quality Inspector, QA Engineer, QA Manager
Production Administration Day-to-day floor coordination and shift management. Production Coordinator, Production Manager, Plant Supervisor
Production Planning & Control (PPC) Schedules, priorities, material readiness, and order sequencing. Production Planner, PPC Executive, PPC Manager
Maintenance & Utilities Machine uptime, electrical systems, and plant utilities. Maintenance Technician, Electrical Technician, Maintenance Manager
Warehouse & Logistics Storage, packing materials, finished-goods handling, and dispatch readiness. Storekeeper, Logistics Coordinator, Warehouse Manager
Procurement & Sourcing Materials, bought-out parts, and supplier-supported inputs. Buyer, Sourcing Specialist, Procurement Manager
Sales & Customer Success Distributor and fleet accounts, order intake, and after-sales support. Sales Executive, Key Account Manager, Sales Operations Manager
Operations Cross-functional plant operations and escalation ownership. Operations Coordinator, Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager
Business & Plant Support Finance, people, safety and compliance, administration, and systems. Cost Accountant, HR Manager, EHS Officer, IT Manager, Office Manager

Customize this setup from Product Settings, Inventory Settings, Orders Settings, and Production Settings.

Next Steps