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Sheet metal fabrication near me in Hampshire UK

Monday, June 6th, 2022

CNC punching projects

Metal fabrication can take many forms when it comes to sheet metal work. It could simply be producing flat blanks such as those shown in this image. It could include folding, pressing, welding, the insertion of bushes and studs. If you have time to look at some of the hundreds of sheet metal fabrication projects featured on our website you will be amazed at the variety of work.

Today I will focus on CNC punching as far as metal fabrication is concerned.

CNC punching in the vast majority of time is carried out using standard tooling. We have invested in a huge amount of tooling over the years. This tooling is available to you when you work on a new design. The best place to start thinking about a new design is our tooling tables. Here you can select circles, rectangles, round ended slots (obrounds) and other more unusual shapes. By planning the use of CNC punch tooling at the start of a design it will save you money on new tooling. It also saves time in reducing redesigns to eliminate new tooling. Who doesn’t want something for free!

If however you have a shape you need and we cannot produce it with standard tooling then you have 2 choices. If your project has the potential for good volumes and to repeat quite often then a new CNC punch tool may be the option. If the volumes are lower, say a special one off project, we may investigate laser cutting instead. With both processes offered in house and driven by the same software we can select the best option to suit your needs.

For more examples of CNC punching sheet metal fabrication please take a look at our Pinterest Board.

When we quote for sheet metal fabrication to suit your designs we will offer price break and suggestions on the most appropriate metal grades and finishes. Really all you need to do is create your design with an eye on the cut out sizes and let us do the rest. We are happy to talk through your ideas or simple send your drawings and let us do the rest.

Custom sheet metal fabrications produced in Hampshire

Thursday, May 19th, 2022

Laser cut decorative screens

Custom sheet metal fabrications are produced by us every day of the week. Metal work that is produced specifically to a certain drawing just for a given customer. We have built a company on offering a custom sheet metal work service to our UK based customers. You may have looked on Amazon for a special angle bracket and cannot find exactly what you need. No problem, send us your drawing and we will sort out a price to make the custom sheet metal part for you.

Over the years we have been involved in many custom designed projects such as:

Children’s play-ground equipment mounting brackets
Bespoke lighting projects
Special recording studio enclosures
Shop door way heating units
Pharmaceutical filtration stands
Flood lighting brackets
Computer housing chassis equipment
Bespoke light fitting reflectors

If you wish to see a lot more examples of custom sheet metal work then our Pinterest Boards are a great place to start.

With a wide range of laser cutting, CNC punching and CNC bending equipment in house there’s not much in the way of sheet metal work that we cannot tackle. Along with an extensive network of material stockists, machinists, spinners, painters, platers and screeners we can offer the complete custom sheet metal service.

If you have drawings already prepared for your next sheet metal project please send them to sales@vandf.co.uk If however you are not quite sure what you want then a phone call may be a good idea (017489 577786). We can then talk through material options, which finishes would suit best and the right selection of production methods.

Sheet metal contractors manufacturing in Hampshire

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022

Sheet metal contractors

Sheet metal contractors such as V and F Sheet Metal offer a valuable service to a wide range of companies in the UK. Perhaps you need sheet metal components that are bespoke to your own product designs. Perhaps a special housings. A custom front panel. Whatever you need if it’s not something you can buy as a standard part you will need the services of sheet metal contractors.

With the ability to take your ideas and turn them into production items. Whether that’s CNC punched galvanised steel enclosures, laser cut stainless steel panels or aluminium brackets we are here to help you. We can read your 2D and 3D CAD data directly into our programming systems. Speeding up the process and reducing the possibility of errors.

The process is also reversible. We can produce 2D and 3D data and send to you to help with your production drawings.

We have been manufacturing sheet metal products and assemblies for over 35 years in Hampshire. Small volumes of 10 off, repeating batches of 100’s off and higher volumes of 1000s along with call off orders when needed. Simple send your drawings to sales@vandf.co.uk for a quote today.

For more examples of past CAD/CAM projects our Pinterest Board is a great place to look.

Manufacturing sheet metal work in the UK by V and F Sheet Metal

Thursday, April 21st, 2022

What is CNC bending?

Manufacturing sheet metal work is the main stay of V and F Sheet Metal. We have been sub-contract sheet metal workers since the 1980s. Providing a wide range for manufacturing services to UK companies for decades. We are especially prominent in the lighting, heating and audio sectors.

Manufacturing sheet metal components and assemblies from your own custom designs. Whether that’s 2D or 3D data we can handle it and turn it into products for you. With the ability to laser cut or CNC punch blanks in house we have total control of the manufacturing process. Connected with our CNC press brakes we can fine tune parts to suit bend tooling saving you time and money in production.

The images here show folding and spot welding. I could just as easily have shown laser cutting and welding or CNC punching and bush insertion. We have a wide range of auxiliary manufacturing processes all carried out in house to help support your design team. Along with a network of painters, platers and machine shops we can act as a one stop shop for your new sheet metal projects.

Spot welding Zintec sheet metal assembly

For a more detailed look at our plant please spend a few minutes and look at our website.

If you already have a product that needs manufacturing and you think sheet metal would be the solution please send us your drawings. If however you want to see some more examples of past projects our Pinterest Boards are stuffed full of ideas.

Portsmouth Hampshire sheet metal work manufacturing

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Portsmouth Hampshire sheet metal manufacturing

Portsmouth Hampshire the home of V and F Sheet Metal for all things sheet metal. V and F have been manufacturing sheet metal components and assemblies for over 35 years. As sub-contactors we have a wide range of skills and tooling. Working to our customers design and production volumes is our strength. Small batches of brackets. Call off orders of front panels. Special one off projects of enclosures. High volume welded assemblies. Advice given on designing for manufacture to keep your costs down. We are here to help where we can.

Here in these images (click for a better view) we have a range of folding going on. Using both our Safan and Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes. Sharing the same tooling they are idea production machines for folding up most sheet metal projects that are customers require.

If you have a few minutes it’s well work a look a look on our Pinterest Boards. Here you will find a wide range of sheet metal projects produced by us in Portsmouth Hampshire. There are also interesting manufacturing ideas that I have found along the way.

If you have a sheet metal work manufacturing project in mind by all means send us a drawing. We will be happy to take a look, advice on the design and offer price breaks where needed.

Folding sheet metal enclosures with CNC press brakes

Monday, March 21st, 2022

Folding sheet metal enclosures using CNC press brakes.

There are many ways to produce formed sheet metal work. It could be with simple V block tooling on a fly press. It might be with a box pan folder. Power press tooling might be used to form up sheet metal parts if there are high enough volumes to justify the tooling.

On this project we were folding sheet metal enclosures made from brass. They batch was for 100 parts and using a CNC press brake as the perfect solution. The ability to program the specific size and angle of each bend into the machine and then try a sample is idea for a job like this. Set the tooling in place and then check out the first sample. Make any adjustments to the program and away you go with production. Save the program and all the information is ready to repeat production when the customer wants more parts. Any design changes can also be catered for. Adjust a bend length or angle and we are ready for any new design.

To view more examples of sheet metal boxes, housings and enclosures please take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

If you have a project which includes folding sheet metal enclosures please send your drawings and we will be happy to help you out. Perhaps you have 2D or 3D data. we can read both as well as working from patterns and sketched if needed. As us for a quote today.

Custom sheet metal panels manufactured in the UK

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022

Laser cut mild steel panels

Custom sheet metal panels can come in many different shapes and sizes. The panels can be very simple such as the rectangular panels shown here. They can also be very complex with many different cut outs, edge profiles, studs, bushes, paint colours, silk screening etc.

We make custom sheet metal panels for a wide range of industries. They may well include electronics front and rear aluminium panels. Mild steel heating control panels. Rear connector panels for audio speaker and amplifier interfaces. We also make custom sheet metal panels for a wide range of industries where there are special projects such as lighting. Often lighting is ordered that will be a standard design but needs to fit into a ceiling with holes left from an older fitting. Customer sheet metal panels are then used to take up the difference as a cheaper option than manufacturing custom light fittings.

CNC punched pre-painted mild steel sheet metal panels

As you can see from these photos panels can be produced by either Laser cutting or CNC punching. Which method we use will depend on the complexity of the panel required, the material type and the thickness. Having both laser cutting and CNC punching facilities in house allow us the flexibility to apply the right manufacturing process to your panel design.

The only way to be sure that your custom sheet metal panel is right for production is to simply send over your drawings and let us take a look. We will quickly be able to produce price options. We will be able to help you refine your design where needed to make it right for manufacturing. Thereby saving you money and reducing problems in assembly.

If you want to see even more examples of custom sheet metal panels please take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

Sheet metal workers near me – V and F Sheet Metal

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

Folding up the blanks

If you are searching for sheet metal workers near me and you are based in Hampshire you should be talking to V and F Sheet Metal. Saying that we have vans delivering right across Hampshire, Dorset, Sussex, Surrey, and Berkshire most weeks and also regularly into Oxfordshire. Further afield and we can ship on an overnight pallet service or parcels where needed. You are always welcome to all in and collect work if you are based near us. You can then see what we get up to in more detail.

Sheet metal workers with over 35 years of experience manufacturing in the UK. We tend to manufacture in thinner gauge sheet metal. Up to 3mm and sometimes a little over. This suits our CNC punch presses and laser cutting facilities. All our bend tooling is ideally suited to thinner gauges. We cut and fold from 0.3mm spring stainless steel, 0.4mm reflector aluminium, 0.55mm galvanised steel. 0.7mm stainless steel and aluminium and upwards.

With sheet metal components from just a few mm across to 3M long we can cover most of your sheet metal working needs. A wide range of standard CNC punching and CNC bending on the shelf ready to be used on your orders. All supported with the latest CAD/CAM sheet metal software to get the most out of every metal sheet.

For a view of more recent sheet metal working projects please follow the link to our Pinterest Boards.

So in conclusion if you are searching for sheet metal workers near me I hope V and F Sheet Metal can help you. Send us your drawings to sales@vandf.co.uk and we will take a look for you or call us on 01489 577786 if you need more information or advice on your designs. We are always happy to talk through potential ideas and help where we can to reduce costs.

Galvanised mild steel sheet metal components manufactured in the UK

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

Galvanised mild steel

Just a quick look back at a recent project, manufacturing galvanised steel components for cladding a building. All the steel parts were CNC punched and then folded on our Trumpf CNC punch presses and CNC press brakes. The parts were relatively simple and didn’t take us long to CNC program. Several of the smaller parts fitted nicely in the same sheet as the longer parts providing a good material utilisation.

All the sections fitted onto one pallet making shipping easy. Total job turnaround time was just over a week from receiving the order. This included purchasing materials, CNC programing, CNC punching and CNC bending. Customer was happy and collected the pallet in their own van.

This is typical of one of the simpler sheet metal projects we are asked to provide to our UK customers.

If you want to explore more sheet metal project ideas please take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

If you have a project you need manufacturing please don’t hesitate to contact us for a price estimate. Send over your drawings and we will be happy to help you. Whether it’s DXF, DWG, SAT, STEP or simply PDF we can read them and work with them.

Southampton Hampshire Sheet Metal Work manufacturing fabrication

Wednesday, January 19th, 2022

CNC punching with cut blanks

V and F Sheet Metal have been manufacturing sheet metal fabrications in the Southampton Hampshire area for over 35 years. Using a range of CNC laser cutting, CNC punching and CNC bending plant. All supported with the latest sheet metal CAD/CAM software. We are here to support you with your sheet metal requirements. Perhaps you need some advice on a material grade. The correct inserts to b pressed in to save time in assembly. Whether to spot weld, TiG weld or screw and product together. Laser cutting or CNC punching with custom tooling. All these questions and more are often asked and we are happy to help. Having produced sub-contract sheet metal work for over 35 years we have come across most of the problems people have.

If you are looking at developing a new design and think it maybe CNC punched then take a look at our standard tooling library. Select a hole that we have a tool for and it will save you money. Of course we can always look at laser cutting as well for complex internal cut outs and external profiles.

If you want to review hundreds of past sheet metal projects a great place to start is our Pinterest Boards.

Send your drawings into sales@vandf.co.uk and let us do the rest.

Sheet metal prototype production from V and F Sheet Metal

Tuesday, January 11th, 2022

Folding up sheet metal prototype the blanks

Sheet metal prototype production is often carried out by us in support of our customers when developing new products. That prototyping can take many forms. Perhaps just laser cutting out a flat blank which our customer may then drill off themselves to explore the best position for connectors in an electronics enclosure. It may be folding up a couple of components but not welding or painting them so a customer can test the fit of parts before committing to their first batch of units. We may also cut and fold several thicknesses of the same bracket so our customer can work out which one is stronger enough for their needs with going over the top on weight.

Even though we can provide 3D software models to help with design sometimes only a prototype will do. For instance when you have a new light fitting reflector. A sheet metal prototype would be needed to measure the light output (photometrics). Design adjustments made and then on with order production.

Folding up sheet metal prototype lighting reflectors

Folding up sheet metal prototype boxes

Prototyping is all part of V and F Sheet Metal supporting our customers. We want you to get your designs right. It saves you time and money and makes us all more competitive. Supported with the ability to import and export 2D and 3D data the prototyping process can be quick and relatively painless.

If you have a product and you are ready to start testing please let us know. We can produce prices for prototypes and production volumes. Simply e-mail your drawings or give us a call and we can have a chat.

Merry Christmas all – Sheet metal work throughout 2021

Monday, December 20th, 2021

I just want to say a big thank you to all our staff, customers and suppliers during 2021 for your support. As we all know, not the easiest of times. We have made it through and certainly look forward to 2022. Let’s hope next year is a good one for all of us and we can build upon this year.

Portsmouth Hampshire sheet metal manufacturing

Sheet metal work produced in 2021

Sheet metal work manufactured in Southampton Hampshire

Tuesday, December 14th, 2021

Sheet metal work manufactured in Southampton

We have been manufacturing sheet metal work in the Southampton area since the 1980s. Using a wide range of sheet metal manufacturing plant, tooling and software to produce accurate and competitively priced work. As a sub-contract sheet metal working company we have to be able to turn our hand to all sorts of work. People may just want a few parts for a special project. Perhaps they need to base something new on an old part and wants an update. Regular batches of sheet metal work is a constant requirement from our customers.

It may be 25 / 50 / 100 or up to several 1000 parts at a time.

Whether it might be stainless steel brackets for the installation of children’s playground equipment. Pumping system drip trays. Electronics equipment aluminium housings. Galvanised steel clamping brackets for fencing systems. Audio equipment rack front panels. Light fitting reflectors. You name it and we have probably made it.

If you are looking for sheet metal manufactured in Southampton please give us a call. If you have drawings then please email to sales@vandf.co.uk. We will be happy to provide you with quotes to suit your designs and volumes.

Sheet metal work produced in 2021 by V and F Sheet Metal

Thursday, December 9th, 2021

Sheet metal work produced in 2021

The range of sheet metal work produced in 2021 by V and F Sheet Metal in astonishing. From the smallest clip or clamping bracket to fully assembled enclosures. Be it aluminium, steels or stainless we can cut it, fold it and weld it. We have produced parts predominantly for the lighting, heating, audio and electronics industries. But we have also produce sheet metal work for companies involved in diverse projects such as children’s playgrounds equipment, filtration assemblies, LED display signs, ground spikes, decking and fencing brackets. You name it and we will turn our hand to it.

Using our Radan CAD/CAM software to develop 3D models and program our laser and CNC punch presses we can support your design team. We can feed back our observations on your design in 2D and 3D formats to help you refine your ideas ready for manufacturing.

We have thousands of examples of sheet metal work. Many which have been produced in 2021 – take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

If you have drawings ready to go please send them to us at sales@vandf.co.uk. Our team will be happy to help you with price options. Or if you just want to chat through your ideas we love to talk sheet metal work, 01489 577786.

Laser cutting sheet metal work in November 2021

Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

Laser cutting sheet metal

During November 2021 we have been busy laser cutting sheet metal. Some components are simply laser cut and that’s it. Our customers may only need a flat part such as a front panel for a rack mounted electronics chassis. They may only need a flat part because they are going to machine cut outs for special projects or perhaps they have the ability to fold up part in their own workshop. Most of the time we use the laser to cut blanks that will go on and be folded. Sometimes welded and then treated or finished in some way.

Laser cutting sheet metal produces very little edge burr and is very efficient when it comes to material yield. Laser cut parts are accurate. Complex internal and external shapes are easily produced with no need for special tooling.

The example shown here is our Trumpf 3030 in full production mode. I managed to catch the sparks flying from the initial laser hole piercing. Most of the laser cutting is clean as far less exciting! Some lines of parts have tipped where they lie between the slats on the bed of the machine. They have been programmed to have a small uncut tag. This little piece of material keeps the part held in the sheet and stops it flipping up. A simple twist once the parts are cut and it’s free from the sheet.

Need a quote for laser cutting sheet metal? Send us your drawings and we will be happy to help.

CNC punching sheet metal in November 2021 by V and F Sheet Metal

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021

CNC punching sheet metal

Punching sheet metal with a CNC punch press is a very versatile process. It can produce parts at great speed. Simple circular holes, rectangles, squares and special shapes. CNC punching can also be used to form sheet metal into shapes such as ventilation louvres, stand off dimples, plunge bosses etc. There are also options to tap threads and form simple small bends all in the same machine cycle on the punch press.

The example show here is a simple aluminium plate with a couple of CSK formed holes. The parts took 5 seconds each to produce including the formed CSK. These parts are typical of the work we often produce on our Trumpf CNC punch presses.

CNC punching sheet metal – CSK

With many years of tooling on the shelf we have the ability to tackle the majority of parts we make with no new tooling. This keeps the costs down for new projects. If your volumes are not huge then laser cutting can be an interesting alternative. As we have both CNC punching and laser cutting in house we can normally sort your parts without the need for new tooling.

For a lot more examples of CNC punching sheet metal take a look a tour Pinterest Boards.

We are always happy tp take a look at your drawings and produce price options for the most effective production method.

Bending sheet metal work in November 2021 with CNC press brakes

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

Laser cut blanks ready for bending

Bending sheet metal, a quick look at the options we can offer.

Tacking either guillotines blanks, CNC punched components or laser cut parts as a good starting point. Accurate blanks are essential to enable us to produce accurately folded parts. The flat pattern cut sizes are worked out in conjunction with skilled shop floor staff using many years of experience. Experience in the right bend tooling and allowances to take into account when folding metal and corner notches if boxes. This is fed into the programing team with 3D and 3D CAD. The final tooled flat blank is then ready to be CNC punched or laser cut.

CNC bending sheet metal work

Here you can see a batch of 600 straps laser cut from 3mm mild steel. The parts have been edge deburred on all outer profile edges. They are stacked ready for bending. When bending sheet metal we have a range of machines and tooling that we can apply to a job. In this case we are using our Edwards Pearson 60 ton CNC press brake with a special top tool. The tool was made just for this job. Often we will be bending sheet metal with standard top and bottom V block tooling. The tooling is common to both our Safan e-Brake 3M long CNC press brake and our three 1M long Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes. The ability to transfer jobs from machine to machine offers great flexibility when it comes to production.

If you have a sheet metal job that need folding up please contact us on 01489 57776. Or if you prefer please send your drawings to sales@vandf.co.uk

Sheet metal laser cutting near me in Hampshire UK

Wednesday, November 10th, 2021

Sheet metal laser cutting near me

Sheet metal laser cutting near me, well if you are based in Hampshire then we are near you. Not a problem if you are further afield as we can ship over night. We also have vans running around the south coast, we may even be delivering to companies near you already. We tend to specialise on laser cutting thinner gauges. Up to 6mm think for mild steel an stainless steel. 3mm for aluminium alloys. We can also CNC punch in house which offers a great option to laser cutting. It also enables us to offer hybrid parts. Perhaps laser cut complex shapes and then CNC punch ventilation louvres of formed dimples.

Where parts are thicker than perhaps we feel comfortable processing in house we can connect with other laser cutters for you. This way we can offer a range of parts placing them with the best manufacturer to suit your needs.

For hundreds of examples of sheet metal laser cutting, take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

Already know what you want to have laser cut? Perfect, we will take your drawings and work out cut sizes. How many we can laser cut from a given sheet of metal and of course most importantly. Your price options. Give us a call and we are ready to help.

Sheet metal manufacturing in Southampton Hampshire

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021

CNC bending - Manufacturing in Southampton

CNC bending using modern press brakes

V and F Sheet Metal have been manufacturing in Southampton for over 35 years. A family firm who have invested over many years in CNC sheet metal manufacturing equipment. Sheet metal CAD/CAM software and tooling.

If you are based in the Southampton area and are looking for sheet metal work, give us a try. The images her shown us working on a wide range of projects. Folding aluminium channels on a small CNC press brake. Folding mild steel housings on our 3M long CNC press brake. TiG welding aluminium boxes. CNC punching zintec brackets and laser cutting stainless steel handles.

Laser cutting 2mm mild steel – sparks generated from piercing holes

Whether you call is manufacturing, production, fabrication, engineering etc. It’s still the process of taking raw materials and transforming them. Manufacturing can be laser cutting complex shapes from mild steel. Perhaps to be used as the starting point (a blank) for a wall fixing bracket. It could be CNC punching aluminium strips that will be rolled and welded together to make rings. Again, manufacturing might be folding and then welding stainless steel pump housings for the pharmaceutical industry. They all take materials and process the in some way.

If you are looking for manufacturing in Southampton and surrounding areas whether it’s just a new part or many thousands we can help. We often work on batches of 25, 50 or many hundreds. Call offs and special projects can also be catered for. With a long history of working in partnership with other suppliers we can offer the complete manufacturing service.

Folding up of components – Manufacturing in Southampton

Perhaps you have a manufacturing project that needs sheet metal work but more than just that. You might have machining requirements, for instance milling and turning. Maybe you need parts or assemblies to be painted, powder coated or silk screened. Treatments such as zinc plating or Iridite NCP dipping. We can manage the whole project to give you a finished manufactured solution.

TiG welding aluminium housings

Using the latest CAD/CAM manufacturing software we become part of your team. Taking your ideas, drawings and 3D models. We can clean up details and test out ideas ready for manufacturing before cutting any materials. If you wish we can feed back updated 3D models and 2D drawings or flat blanks to help your design function.

Trumpf 200 CNC punch press producing zintec sheet metal blanks

Manufacturing in Southampton we are ideally placed to delivery same day from Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex. As well as Wiltshire and Surrey. Further afield is no problem with overnight parcel and pallet services all over the UK.

If you have a design project that needs sheet metal manufacturing please let us know. Our team are always happy to chat and help refine your designs. If you want some price options please e-mail your drawings and we will be happy to do some calculations for you. File formats that we are happy to work with include PDF, SAT, STEP, DXF and DWG.

Sheet metal enclosure manufacturers based in the UK

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021

CNC punching and CNC bending

Sheet metal enclosure manufactures based in Hampshire, UK. V and F sheet Metal have been manufacturing a wide range of enclosure components and assemblies. Enclosures used in the electronics, lighting, heating and audio industries. We have been manufacturing sheet metal enclosures for over 30 years. Using many different ferrous and non-ferrous sheet metals.

V and F Sheet Metal stand out amongst enclosure manufacturers with such a wide range of experience in different industries. Being subcontract sheet metal workers enables us to learn from one industrial sector and apply those ideas to another. A form tool we develop to help us produce a curved section for an air conditioning unit may be just what’s needed for a lighting reflector. We always have our eye on ways to save money when we review our customer’s designs.

aluminium sheet metal fabrications

Working with our customers to save them time and money. Flexibly batch sizes to suit production needs. Alternative material suggestions to save on treatment and finishing costs. We have a vast collection of CNC punching and CNC bending tools. Most standard cut outs can be catered for. We also have a laser cutting facility in house so even if you come up with a really tricky design we will still be ready to help you.

Want to see more past sheet metal enclosure projects? Take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

If you are looking to review a range of enclosure manufacturers, V and F Sheet Metal should certainly be investigated.

Please send your drawings (STEP, SAT, DXF, DWG or PDF) to sales@vandf.co.uk and we will be happy to help you.

Sheet metal product manufacturing to your designs in the UK

Tuesday, October 19th, 2021

Laser cut and CNC folded sheet metal brackets – Sheet Metal Products

Sheet metal products can take so many forms. We pride ourselves on turning our hand to most ideas our customers present of with. Sometimes it’s a fully detailed CAD model with dimensioned drawings. With these sheet metal products we just have to read them into our system and worry about the CAM. Whether it’s selecting the correct punch press tooling, laser gas and refining the cut size to suit available bend tooling.

If a sheet metal product is slightly less well formed, perhaps a design sketch or a sample which is being used as a starting point we can still help. We may create our own 3D software model to double check the fit of parts. Our document the product with a dimensioned drawing for both customer and supplier to use as a master document.

In either case we review the sheet metal product design to be sure it’s suitable for manufacturing. Where we can clean up designs to speed up production and save money we will be glad to help you.

CNC punched and CNC folded sheet metal brackets – Sheet Metal Products

If a customer has a sheet metal product that lends itself to a certain set of manufacturing processes then we will simply follow the design. If however the part for instance could be CNC punched or laser cut we will investigate bother processes to offer the most suitable and cost effective production method. Perhaps a sheet metal product has a curved shape. Should we roll the curve, form the curve with a custom tool or simulate the curve with a series of small bends created on a CNC press brake. We will offer options as best fits the design and customer’s expectations.

For hundreds of examples of past sheet metal product projects please take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

What’s next?

If you have a sheet metal product that needs manufacturing give us a call. If it’s just a few parts, many hundreds or thousands. We will take a look and see what process will best suit.

CNC punching sheet metal hinges in mild steel brackets

Wednesday, October 13th, 2021

CNC punching hinges

CNC punch presses have been used to produce sheet metal blanks for many decades now. Punching in holes at speed is their strength. Circles, squares, rectangles as well as special shapes are meat and drink for CNC punch presses. They are also a great tool when it comes to producing forms in the third dimension. Whether it’s down forming dimples, extrusions with tapped threads or stamping letters, number of symbols they are at home. Up forming ventilation louvres, small folds, earth tags and hinges.

Taking a walk around our workshop I saw these sheet metal hinges being formed on our Trumpf 200 CNC punch press. They show perfectly the flexible nature of manufacturing sheet metal components with a CNC punch press.

CNC punched mild steel hinges

Building in the male and female forms of the hinge to either side of a bracket is a neat design idea. It not only looks cleaner than welding / spot-welding but it’s a lot cheaper to produce.

Two tools are used to form the loop up and then form over I nth sheet. All the material around the hinge form is CNC punched out first and then in this case the complete set of parts were dropped down the machine’s part chute. This speeded up the removal of finished parts and removed the need to tag into the sheet.

Sheet metal hinges built into components

Sheet metal components with inbuilt hinges

With both our CNC punch presses and laser machine supported by Radan sheet metal CAD/CAM software we are able to pick the right method of manufacturing to suit your bespoke design.

To view other CNC punched projects it’s well worth having a look at gallery pages http://www.vandf.co.uk/gallery/

Alternatively we have hundreds of CNC punched projects on our Pinterest Boards.

Simply send us your drawings and we will be happy to produce quotes for your next project.

Custom sheet metal fabrications manufactured in England

Monday, October 4th, 2021

Bespoke sheet metal fabrications

Custom sheet metal fabrications are being produced by V and F Sheet Metal every week of the year. From the smallest spot welded earth clip to fabricated enclosures. Using a wide range of materials to satisfy our customer’s needs. TiG, MiG and spot welding techniques are used to assemble different parts together to make finished fabricated assemblies.

The custom sheet metal fabrications show in these images are typical. One is manufactured from mild steel and the other from aluminium sheet metal. The mild steel fabricated assembly is manufactured from 3mm mild steel that has been CNC punched, edge de-burred, CNC folded. The wrapped around ends have been MiG welded along with an additional strengthening piece. The final custom sheet metal fabrications were hot dip galvanised for corrosion resistance.

M8 hank bushes

The aluminium fabricated assembly was made from laser cut components, edge de-burred, CNC folded with bushes and studs inserted where needed. The component parts were TiG welded together and then cleaned of smooth before powder coating.

For more example of custom sheet metal fabrications it’s well worth a visit to our Pinterest Boards.

So if you have manufacturing projects that include custom sheet metal fabrications we would love to hear from you. You can either call us on 01489 577786 for a chat or send your designs to sales@vandf.co.uk

Laser cutting custom mild steel panels in the UK

Monday, September 27th, 2021

Laser cut mild steel panels

Laser cutting custom designed panels is something we do every day. From helping customers with their designs, producing prototypes and production volumes we are here to help. These particular panels were laser cut from thin gauge mild steel sheet. Using pure nitrogen with our Trumpf fibre laser allows for fast and accurate blank cutting.

You can see from the images here that when laser cutting custom panels it’s easy to fill a full sheet of metal. Once a single panel has been programmed, which is a matter of a few minutes, the whole sheet can be filled with the part. The exact position and orientation of each panel is automatically calculated by the Radan laser cutting software.

Laser cut mild steel panels

Panels such as these can be produced without the need for post laser cutting edge de-burring. These particular panels were powder coated and then ready for shipping.

Laser cutting custom panels along with CNC punching is the main way we produce sheet metal blanks. Feeding these custom blanks into our CNC press brakes enables us to produce a wide range of sub-contract parts.

For a wide range of laser cut panels designs why not view our Pinterest Boards.

For more details on the services we can offer and a specific price for your custom panels please contact us on 01489 577786 for a chat. Our engineering team will be happy to help you. If you want to send CAD files then no problem. Please send DFXG, DXG, STEP, SAT or PDF files to sales@vandf.co.uk and we will do the rest.

Sheet metal sub-contract manufacturing and sheet metal production

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

Sheet metal brackets

Sheet metal sub-contract manufacturing is a very important service for so many businesses. Whether your business does not have the skills or require enough sheet metal production to justify your own department we are here to help you. It may be that you only occasionally require some sheet metal parts manufactured. Perhaps you only need 50 brackets twice a year. That’s no problem for us. We can CNC punch or laser cut just a few brackets from a small off cut of sheet metal. You may have a regular need for repeating parts for your production line. Again it’s something we can help with. Perhaps we can hold some in stock for you.

Sheet metal sub-contract manufacturers can also help with the design stages of your product development. Advising on material selection, treatments and the best design options to save money once in manufacturing.

Sheet metal brackets

Sheet metal sub-contract manufacturing can encompass a wide range of production techniques. Laser cutting is now very popular with the ability to cut complex shapes and put safe handling radius corners on products. CNC punching sheet metal hole patterns and 3D forms with special tooling. Along with CNC press brakes to fold up simple angle brackets right up to complex chassis work. Simply ask us and we will be happy to advise on the most suitable production technique to suit your designs.

For a quick review of recent sub-contract sheet metal projects please feel free to visit our Pinterest Boards.

Send us your CAD data or drawings and we will be happy to help.

Sheet metal manufacturers in the UK – sheet metal production

Tuesday, September 7th, 2021

Sheet metal manufacturers

Sheet metal manufacturers in the UK produce a wide range of sheet metal projects. Sub-contract manufacturers produce parts to any given design and are a great support to UK based companies who do not have the expertise or the volumes to justify their own manufacturing facility. V and F Sheet Metal are one of these sub-contract manufacturers. We have been producing sheet metal work since the 1980s in Hampshire.

Sheet metal manufacturers based in the UK

Whether your project is only small or many thousands of parts sheet metal manufacturers in the UK can help you out. Keeping things local not only reduced shipping costs and time but helps to support the whole engineering supply chain. Materials are purchased in the UK, treatments and finishes sourced in the UK. You also have the ability to deal in your own time zone and visit if you need to.

Sheet metal manufactured enclosures

Using a wide range of sheet metal manufacturing techniques we cover most of the sheet metal parts UK companies need. Whether it’s produced by laser cutting, CNC punching or CNC bending we have the facilities to help you today. Simply ask us to take a look at your drawings and we will be happy to produce a quotation for you.

For a much larger range of work produced by sheet metal manufacturers in the UK take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

Sheet metal fabricators in Southampton – ask for a quote today

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

Laser cutting stainless steel

Sheet metal fabricators work with a wide range of materials. The types of material fabricated split into 2 camps, ferrous and non-ferrous. So that’s materials that are iron based and those that are iron fee. The types of materials can include simple mild steel along with treated steels such as Zintec and galvanised steel. More exotic stainless steels such as 304, 316, 403 and 3CR12 can be worked. They come in standard (2B) mild finish, bright annealed or grained finishes. Aluminium alloys such as 1050A and 5251 are often stocked.

More unusual materials such as tin plate, spring stainless, copper, brass and lighting reflector materials and be used to fabricate components. For exact details of the correct materials to specify in your design and the thicknesses available it’s always worth a chat first to be sure your design can be fabricated.

Aluminium sheet metal brackets

Sheet metal fabricators use a diverse range of fabrication equipment. Whether it’s laser cutting thin to thick ferrous and non-ferrous materials. CNC punching standard sheets. CNC folding simple to very complex sheet metal components and assemblies.

V and F Sheet Metal are sheet metal fabricators with over 35 years of experience manufacturing in the UK. We are happy to help point you in the right direction with design ideas. Guidance on material selection, the right options when it comes to sheet metal inserts and finishing / treatments. The design will always be yours we just help to speed you through the process.

Have a new design idea? Want to double check your current prices? Send use your ideas and we will be happy to quote.

Custom sheet metal work near me using CNC production techniques

Tuesday, August 24th, 2021

Laser cutting mild steel brackets

You have designed a new component and you need it manufacturing. You want it made from sheet metal but are not sure which processes to select. Should it be laser cut, should it be CNC punched and how do you know what sort of folding will be needed? No problem, at V and F Sheet Metal we cover all the custom sheet metal work techniques. We can select the right production method to fit your custom design. The right method for your order volume and the materials you might be interested in.

Whether its thick gauges of steel or thin spring stainless. Copper sheet, light fitting reflector materials or brushed stainless steel we have the right CNC machines to cope. With custom sheet metal work it’s all about picking the right production technique to suit your design. Lots of complex shapes, connector cut outs or a detailed outer profile and we will probably go for laser cutting. A large number of simple shape holes such are circles or rectangles and its likely to be CNC punching.

cnc punching circular discs

Thicker materials tend to be laser cut. Custom sheet metal work needing forms such as ventilation louvres, pressed dimples, plunges sheet with tapped threads and you are definitely requiring CNC punch presses. Luckily we have both areas covered in house.

When it comes to folding custom sheet metal work we have a range of machines. We can fold sheet metal profiles up to 3M long and right down to just a few mm across. CNC press brake tooling investment over many years enables us to produce the vast majority of folded sheet metal work without the need for new tooling.

Bending sheet metal work

What should I do now?

For more custom sheet metal work examples please take a look at our Pinterest Boards for design ideas.

The most important thing for you to know is that whatever custom sheet metal work project you design you have a partner in V and F who can support you. Simply send us your drawings, 3D models, sketches and we will be happy to produce a range of quotes for you.

Bespoke sheet metal components manufacturers in the UK

Wednesday, August 18th, 2021

Bespoke sheet metal components

Bespoke sheet metal components manufacturers

V and F Sheet Metal having been producing bespoke sheet metal components since the 1980s. Now using a wide range on CNC manufacturing equipment. Laser cutting with a Trumpf 3KW fibre laser, perfect for very fast cutting of thin gauge ferrous and non-ferrous materials. It can also laser cut much thicker materials when needed.

CNC punching with 2 Trumpf punch presses. A wide range of standard and special tools collected over the years help to reduce tooling costs on new projects. Fast production of holes in standard sheet metal materials along with formed dimples, plunges, tapped thread features, electrical knock outs, you name it we can probably make it on these CNC punch presses.

All blanks are taken to our CNC press brakes when folding is needed. From small machines up to our 3M Safan e-Brake CNC press brake. Common CNC press brake tooling across the range adds flexibility when it comes to production and sampling bespoke sheet metal components.

For a much wider view of custom sheet metal components manufactured in the UK why not take a look at our Pinterest pages.

Using the latest CAD/CAM software to read 2D and 3D drawing we can quickly produce prices for your bespoke parts and the volumes that you need.

Mild Steel Brackets

Thursday, August 12th, 2021

Mild Steel Brackets

Mild steel brackets can be used in so many applications today. We have been manufacturing them since the 1980s. Using mild steel as well as other sheet metal materials from 0.7mm to 4mm thick. Whether it’s laser cutting or CNC punching and then CNC bending we have all the tools and experience to produce a wide range of brackets. Volumes can ranges from just a few for a special project or many thousands.

Here’s just a small range of recent sheet metal projects that we have produced needing mild steel brackets:

Securing LED displays in libraries
Fixings fibre optic lighting in a gallery
Mounting flood lighting around a castle
Clamping brackets to hold down pump sets
Lamp holder brackets in fibre optic lighting
19” rack mounting ears
Securing gear trays in street lighting
Children’s playground equipment
Fixing signage on golf courses
Mounting air curtains over shop door ways

I think you can see from the list above that we support many different industries when it comes to manufacturing mild steel brackets.

If you want to see some of the stages required to manufacture a humble sheet metal bracket we have a page worth reading.

For more examples of sheet metal brackets please take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

All the sheet metal brackets that we produce are bespoke to our customers designs. All you need to do is send us your drawings and we will do the rest. Drawings can be sketches but it helps to speed up the process if they can be in a CAD format. DXF, DWG, STEP and PDF are more than acceptable.

Give us a try today and we will be happy to quote for our next mild steel bracket project.

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