Material/Component Suppliers

 

General

Below is a listing of suppliers of mechanical and electrical components that may be useful for design projects.  Here, an effort was made to identify a know reliable local supplier for each product category.   Where this was not possible, remote suppliers with which we have a history were suggested.  This is not an exhaustive list nor is it meant to be an endorsement of any of these suppliers by the instructor, the Department or the University.

Please note that due to supplier minimum order requirements you may be required to purchase more of a product than is needed for your project.  If this is the case, and you so choose, you may donate any unused materials to next years students.  I am sure it would be most appreciated.

Other Places To Look

Thomas Register - this reference can be found online and in two print versions; a full catalog and a regional guide. The Thomas Register Online is the full version of the print registry. It requires you to register (free) and can be found at www.thomasregister.com. The full print registry is available in the UNCC library while the regional buying guide is available in the CPM library. These are your best references for anything that can't be found with the suppliers on this list. START HERE FIRST.

THE YELLOW PAGES!

Electronic Components

Allied Electronics
Phone: 800-433-5700
www.alliedelec.com

Digikey
Phone: 800-344-4539
www.digikey.com

Electronic Expediters
4943 Highway 49 S
Harrisburg
Phone 704-455-9222

Slayton Inc.
5112 N. I-85 Service Rd
Charlotte
Phone 704-596-7770

United Electronics
920 Central Avenue
Charlotte
Phone 704-372-2650

Foam

General Plastics Manufacturing Company
4910 Burlington Way
Tacoma, Washington  98409
Phone: (253) 473-5000
Toll Free: (800) 806-6051
FAX: (253) 473-5104
Contact: Bob Rezba
www.generalplastics.com

FSAE body molding.  Reportedly like to support university projects through donations of odd sizes/pieces.

General Hardware

Faulk Brothers Hardware
5744 N. Tryon St
Charlotte, NC
Phone: 704-596-7474

This is a phenomenal source. It is one of this areas last old-time hardware stores. If you need it, chances are they have it (within reason) IF you no where to look. Just ask, they are very helpful and know the store inside out.

Mechanical Components (springs, bushings, bearings, etc.)

SMALL PARTS, Inc.
13980 N.W. 58th Court
P.O. Box 4650
Miami Lakes, FL 33014-0650
Phone 800.220.4242
FAX: 800.423.9009-
www.smallparts.com

The name says it all. Have virtually everything for the serious hobbyist. You'll be surprised what you can find here.

Reid Tool Supply Co.
2265 Black Creek Rd
Muskegon, MI 49441
Phone: 800-253-0421
FAX: 800-438-1145
www.reidtool.com

Another good small parts supplier.

Industrial Supply Houses (hardware stores on steroids)

Grainger
1401 S Mint St
Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: 704-376-0785
FAX: 704-347-0651
-OR-
501 Hwy 74
Stallings, NC 28104
Phone: 704-845-2189
FAX: 704-893-0266
www.grainger.com

J & L Industrial Supply
Phone: 800-521-9520
www.jlindustrial.com

MSC
Phone: 800-645-7270
FAX: 800-255-5067
www.mscdirect.com

Metals

Metal Express 
6601-G North Park Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone : 704-599-3919
FAX : 704-599-5801

Stock Car Steel and Aluminum
801-A Performance Road
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: 704-664-3044
FAX: 704-664-2647

Reportedly very cheap with a laid back and helpful staff. Any size piece. Drawback is distance

Copper and Brass Sales
2865 Lowery Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Toll Free: 800-926-2600
FAX: 770-424-
www.copperandbrass.com

Carries all types of materials such as aluminums, steels, plastics, stainless steels as well as copper and brass

Metals - Exotic (Invar, stable stainless steels,etc.)

Scientific Alloys, Inc.
70-T Old Hopkinton Rd.,
P.O. Box 523
Westerly, RI 02891 0523
Phone: 401-596-4947
FAX: 401-596-6626

www.scientificalloys.com

Eagle Alloys Corp.
5610 Oleander Ave.
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Phone: 800-237-9012
FAX: 423-586-7456
www.eaglealloys.com

Metals - Scrap Yards

Foils
Hwy 49
Harrisburg, NC 28075
Phone: 704-455-5134
FAX: 704-455-5160

Can be a good source for metal needs. Works off principle of potluck. May or may not be cheaper, but is fairly convenient.

Misc

American Science Surplus
Phone: 847-647-0011
FAX: 800-934-0722
www.sciplus.com

This is a source for all manner of electrical, electronic and mechanical components.  However, it is a surplus house (read good prices) and therefore they do not regularly stock any of their offerings, i.e., they may have an item this week but never again.

Plastics - sheet, rod, tubing

Piedmont Plastics
5010 WEST W. T. HARRIS BLVD.
P.O. BOX 26006
Charlotte, North Carolina 28221-6006
Phone: 704-597-8200
Toll Free: 800-277-7898
FAX: 704-598-7912
www.piedmontplastics.com

Everything plastics!!