Eaton reaches beyond auto parts

As Eaton Corp. tweaks auto parts to meet future automotive needs, Eaton also is looking at its part in electric vehicle infrastructure, which will in turn rely on cables, housings, connectors and other plastics-intensive parts. Eaton’s emissions group does not mold its own parts, but contracts with injection molders to create high density polyethylene housings for valves, pumps and other key parts of fuel systems. The company also works closely with fuel-tank makers to coordinate production of parts that may be welded to a plastic tank in one vehicle, or inserted during the blow molding process for another.