CNC bending and folding Archives -

Bespoke sheet metal housings manufactured in the UK

Thursday, November 2nd, 2023

Bespoke sheet metal housings are metal enclosures that are custom-made to meet the specific needs of a customer. They can be made from a variety of materials, including mild steel, aluminium alloys and stainless steel. Bespoke sheet metal housings can be any size or shape, and they can be designed to accommodate a wide range of components and assemblies.

Folded sheet metal parts

There are many benefits to using bespoke sheet metal housings. One of the biggest benefits is that they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the customer’s application. This means that the customer can choose the exact size, shape, and material of the housing, as well as the features that are needed, such as cutouts, holes, mounting brackets, threaded inserts etc.

Another benefit of using bespoke sheet metal housings is that they are very durable. Sheet metal is a very strong and rigid material, and it can withstand a lot of wear and tear. This makes bespoke sheet metal housings ideal for applications where the housing needs to be able to protect the internal components from harsh environments.

Bespoke sheet metal housings are also very cost-effective. The manufacturing process is relatively quick and easy, and the cutting and bending machines can produce a large number of parts in a short period of time. This makes bespoke sheet metal housings a good option for both small and large production runs.

Bespoke sheet metal housings are used in a wide range of industries. Some of the most common applications include:

• Aerospace: Bespoke sheet metal work is used to create a variety of enclosures for aircraft and spacecraft components.

• Automotive: Bespoke sheet metal enclosures are used to create a variety of enclosures for automotive components, such as engines, transmissions, and electrical systems.

• Electronics: Bespoke sheet metal boxes are used to create a variety of enclosures for electronic devices, such as computers, servers, and telecommunications equipment.

• Industrial: Bespoke sheet metal panels are used to create a variety of enclosures for industrial equipment, such as machines, robots, and control systems.

• Medical devices: Bespoke sheet metal housings are used to create a variety of enclosures for medical devices, such as surgical equipment, diagnostic equipment, and imaging equipment.

If you are looking for a durable, cost-effective, and customizable way to protect your components and assemblies, bespoke sheet metal housings are a great option to consider. More examples can be found on our Pinterest Boards.

For a quote on your next sheet metal project send us your drawings / 3D models to sales@vandf.co.uk

Bespoke CNC punched sheet metal 19″ rack panels

Monday, October 30th, 2023

Bespoke CNC punched sheet metal: A guide to the benefits and applications

Bespoke CNC punched sheet metal ventilation trays

Bespoke CNC punching

CNC punched sheet metal is a manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled machines to punch holes and patterns into sheet metal. This process can be used to create a wide range of products, from simple brackets and panels right up to very complex assemblies.

Bespoke CNC punched sheet metal is a type of CNC punched sheet metal that is made to order to meet the specific needs of a customer. This means that the customer can choose the type of metal, the thickness of the metal, the size of the holes, and the pattern of the holes. In the example image here the parts are 19” rack mount ventilation panels.

There are many benefits to using bespoke CNC punched sheet metal. One of the biggest benefits is that it is very versatile. Bespoke CNC punched sheet metal can be used to create a wide range of products, e.g. 19” rack mount panels, light fitting lamp hold brackets, audio speaker fixing brackets, electronics battery housings, large enclosure assemblies.

Another benefit of using bespoke CNC punched sheet metal is that it is very accurate. The computer-controlled machines used in CNC punching are able to produce very precise results. This is important for applications where accuracy is critical, such as in the electronics industry.

Bespoke CNC punched sheet metal is also very cost-effective. The process is relatively quick and easy, and the machines can produce many parts in a short period of time. This makes bespoke CNC punched sheet metal a good option for both small and large production runs. It’s also very versatile with quick changes to CNC programs being made cheaply with tooling cost implications.

If you are looking for a versatile, accurate, and cost-effective way to manufacture sheet metal parts, bespoke CNC punching is a great option to consider, and V and F Sheet Metal can support you with that decision. For more examples of bespoke CNC punching take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

Ask us for a quote today on your next sheet metal CNC punching project.

Sub-contract sheet metal work profiles produced on CNC press brakes

Thursday, October 26th, 2023

Subcontracting sheet metal work profiles produced on CNC press brakes offers numerous advantages for businesses in various industries. By outsourcing this specialized task to experienced sheet metal fabricators, companies can benefit from enhanced precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Sub-contract laser cutting and CNC bending in 2023

Precision and Accuracy:

CNC press brakes are renowned for their ability to produce highly accurate and consistent bends in sheet metal profiles. This precision is crucial for ensuring the quality and functionality of the final product. Subcontracting to experienced fabricators ensures that the profiles meet the exact specifications required for the intended application.

Efficient Production:

CNC press brakes are capable of bending sheet metal profiles with remarkable speed and efficiency. This translates to faster turnaround times and reduced lead times for businesses that subcontract their sheet metal work. By outsourcing this task, we can focus on this manufacturing process for you allowing you to concentrate on your own business needs.

Cost-Effective Solutions:

Subcontracting sheet metal work to a specialised fabricator such as V and F Sheet Metal often proves to be a cost-effective solution. We have the expertise and equipment to optimize the bending process, minimizing material waste and reducing overall production costs. Additionally, you avoid the capital investment required to purchase and maintain their own CNC press brakes.

Sheet Metal and Wood Work furniture projects

Wide Range of Materials:

As an experienced sheet metal subcontractor we can handle a variety of materials, including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and copper. This versatility allows your business to select the most suitable material for your specific application, ensuring optimal performance and durability.

Expertise and Experience:

Subcontracting sheet metal work provides access to the expertise and experience of skilled fabricators. We possess in-depth knowledge of material properties, bending techniques, and design considerations. We can provide you with valuable guidance during the design phase and ensure that the profiles meet the required specifications.

Diverse Applications:

Subcontracted sheet metal profiles find applications across a wide range of industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and machinery manufacturing. These profiles are used in various components, such as brackets, enclosures, housings, panels, and structural supports.

For more examples of sheet metal work profiles take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

In conclusion, subcontracting sheet metal work profiles produced on CNC press brakes offers a compelling solution for businesses seeking precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By leveraging the expertise of specialized fabricators such as V and F Sheet Metal, you can optimise your production processes, enhance product quality, and focus on their core competencies.

Manufacturing sheet metal mild steel brackets in 2023

Tuesday, October 24th, 2023

Sheet metal mild steel brackets: A versatile and durable solution

Sheet metal mild steel brackets are a versatile and durable solution for a wide range of applications. They are strong enough to support heavy loads, yet lightweight enough to be easy to install. Mild steel is also relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective choice for many projects.

CNC punching sheet metal – CSK

One of the biggest advantages of sheet metal mild steel brackets is that they can be custom fabricated to meet any specific needs. This means that you can get a bracket that is the perfect size, shape, and strength for your application. V and F Sheet Metal can also add features such as holes, slots, threads inserts and bends to your brackets, making them even more versatile.

Sheet metal mild steel brackets are commonly used in a variety of industries, including construction, lighting, heating, electronics, audio, pumping etc. They are used to support lighting, shelves, cabinets, pipes, ductwork, and other equipment. They are also used to create frames for structures such as tables, chairs, and storage racks.

Sheet metal brackets

Here are just a few examples of how sheet metal mild steel brackets can be used:

• Construction: Sheet metal brackets are often used to support walls, ceilings panels, lighting runs, roofing and heating systems. They are also used to create frames for windows, doors and locking systems.

• Manufacturing: Sheet metal brackets are used in a variety of manufacturing applications, such as supporting assembly lines and conveyor belts. They are also used to create frames for machinery and equipment.

• Electronics: Sheet metal mild steel brackets are used in a variety of electronics applications, such as supporting 19” rack mount equipment, PCB mounting, chassis front and rear panel fixing.

When choosing sheet metal mild steel brackets for your application, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Size and shape: Make sure to choose brackets that are the right size and shape for your application.

• Strength: Consider the weight of the load that the brackets will be supporting. Choose brackets that are strong enough to handle the load without bending or breaking.

• Finish: Sheet metal brackets are available in a variety of finishes, including bare steel, galvanized steel, and painted steel. Choose a finish that is appropriate for your application and environment.

Sheet metal brackets

For more examples of sheet metal mild steel brackets why not take a look at our Pinterest Boards where we have hundreds of examples of sheet metal projects.

If you are looking for a versatile and durable solution for your bracketing needs, sheet metal mild steel brackets are a great option. They can be custom fabricated to meet your specific needs and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and finishes.

Need a quote for your sheet metal brackets? Contact us through the website or email us at sales@vandf.co.uk. We will be happy to help you.

Sheet metal manufacturers near me Portsmouth Southampton Hampshire

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023

Sheet metal manufacturers near me Portsmouth Southampton Hampshire UK

V and F Sheet Metal have been a sheet metal work sub-contract manufacturer for nearly 40 years. For sheet metal manufacturers near me if you are based in Hampshire, UK you should try V and F Sheet Metal. We have been supporting companies within Hampshire and right across the UK.

Sheet metal housings

Here are some tips for choosing a sheet metal manufacturer:

• Look for a manufacturer with experience in your industry. This will ensure that they have the knowledge and expertise to produce the parts you need to meet your specific requirements.

• Make sure the manufacturer has the capabilities to produce the parts you need. This includes considering the size, complexity, and material of the parts.

• Read reviews from other customers. This can give you a good idea of the manufacturer’s quality of work, customer service, and turnaround time.

• Get accurate quotes. This will help you to cost out your projects before committing to production.

Once you have chosen a sheet metal manufacturer, be sure to provide them with clear and detailed specifications for the parts you need. This will help to ensure that the parts are produced to your exact requirements.

Welded sheet metal work

Looking for sheet metal manufacturers near me to offer laser cutting, CNC punching, CNC bending and welding services. We can supply all that and much more. Spot welding, rolling, press work, drilling, 3D CAD/CAM support and mechanical assembly.

Looking for more examples work produced by sheet metal manufacturers? Take a look at our Pinterest Boards for hundreds of part sheet metal projects.

Simply send us your sheet metal drawings and volumes required and we will be happy to produce price breaks and any design help we can offer, free of charge.

The Advantages of Folding Sheet Metal Work with CNC Press Brakes

Thursday, July 20th, 2023

The Advantages of Folding Sheet Metal Work with CNC Press Brakes

Sub-contract laser cutting and CNC bending in 2023

CNC press brakes are a versatile and powerful tool for folding sheet metal. They can be used to create a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with real world high precision and repeatability.

There are many advantages to using CNC press brakes for folding sheet metal work. Here are the most important points:

Accuracy: CNC press brakes are very accurate, which is essential for creating parts with tight tolerances. The accuracy of a CNC press brake is typically measured in fractions of a mm.

Repeatability: CNC press brakes are also very repeatable, which means that they can produce identical parts over and over again. This is important for mass production or for parts that need to be interchangeable. It is also important when parts from different batches are needed to fit together.

Speed: CNC press brakes can be very fast, which can save time and money in production. The speed of a CNC press brake depends on the size and thickness of the material being bent, as well as the complexity of the bend. The speed of the machine is one factor along with the ease of programming and tool setting. This is particularly important when it comes to small batches of work where the set up time can outweigh the production time.

Precision tooling: CNC press brakes use precision tooling, which ensures that the bends are accurate and consistent. The tooling can be customized to create specific bends, which gives CNC press brakes a lot of flexibility.

Ease of use: CNC press brakes are relatively easy to use, even for operators with limited experience. The controls are simple and intuitive, and the machine can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks. Even with simple tooling some very complex parts can be produced.

In addition to these advantages, CNC press brakes also offer a number of other benefits, such as:

Reduced material waste: CNC press brakes can reduce material waste by accurately bending the sheet metal to the desired shape. This can save money and resources. With the ease of CNC programming they can be used to quickly test out a new design and feedback blank size changes to the laser and CNC punch machines to reduce scrap in production.

Improved quality: CNC press brakes can improve the quality of sheet metal parts by reducing the number of defects. This is due to the accuracy and repeatability of the machine. The bending process is also clean and relative scratch free in operation.

aluminium sheet metal fabrications

Overall, the advantages of folding sheet metal with CNC press brakes offer a number of gains over traditional methods of folding sheet metal. They are more accurate, repeatable, and faster, and they can reduce material waste and improve quality. CNC press brakes are a valuable tool to help us to produce your high-quality sheet metal parts.

For more examples of folded sheet metal work produced on CNC press brakes take a look at our Pinterest Board The Advantages of folding sheet metal

Or check out our Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes or our 3M Safan e-Brake CNC press brake.

I hope this blog post has been informative. If you need further information on CNC bending or want a quote for your next sheet metal projects please call us or send your drawings to sales@vandf.co.uk

Manufacturing sheet metal enclosures in the UK since the 1980s

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

Sheet metal manufacturers

Manufacturing Sheet Metal Enclosures: A Guide to sub-contract manufacturing

Sheet metal enclosures are used in a wide variety of industries, from electronics, lighting, pumping, heating to medical devices. They provide protection for sensitive equipment, as well as a way to mount and secure components. That protection might be from dust, water, chemicals or to incase electrical components.

The manufacturing process for sheet metal enclosures typically involves the following steps:

Design: The first step is to design the enclosure. This includes specifying the dimensions, materials, and features of the enclosure. This design can come entirely from the customer in the form of CAD drawings or 3D models. We are always happy to guide you with the selection of materials, thicknesses, tooling, pressed inserts, treatments and finishes.

Cutting: Once the design is complete, the sheet metal is cut to size. This can be done using a variety of methods including, guillotining, laser cutting and CNC punching.

Bending: The next step is to bend the sheet metal into the desired shape. This is typically done using a CNC press brake or folder. We have a range of these machines which can cope with sheet metal enclosures up to 3M long.

Welding: If necessary, the sheet metal parts are welded together. This is usually done using a MIG or TIG welder. We have the ability to weld mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and brass.

Finishing: The final step is to finish the enclosure. This may involve painting, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing and screen printing. These are all services we can arrange for you if needed.

CNC punched and CNC formed mild steel sheet

The manufacturing process for sheet metal enclosures can vary depending on the specific requirements of the project. However, the steps outlined above are a general overview of the processes undertaken.

For many examples of manufacturing sheet metal enclosures please take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

If you are looking for a custom sheet metal enclosure, be sure to contact us for a quote today. They will be able to help you design and manufacture an enclosure that meets your specific needs.

Sub-contract projects manufactured from sheet metal in 2023

Thursday, February 23rd, 2023

Sub-contract projects manufactured in 2023 using a wide variety of sheet metal materials

sub-contract projects, CNC punching in 2023

Sub-contract CNC punching in 2023

We use CNC punching for so many different projects. CNC punching stainless steel brackets. CNC punched aluminium electronics front panels. Sub-contract mild steel housings with CNC punch dimples, ventilation louvres and formed stand-off dimples. Here we have simple gear trays for light fittings CNC punched from 0.9mm zintec sheet. Such an efficient way of using material with little waste.

Sub-contract CNC bending in 2023

Here’s a small aluminium sub-contract project. CNC punched and CNC bent in batches of 1000 at a time. Barrel deburred to remove any sharp edges. Quick production for the bending was carried out on one of our 3 Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes.

Sub-contract laser cutting and CNC bending in 2023

These parts are on the thicker end of the work we take on. 6mm mild steel brackets. Laser cut from steel using oxygen as the cutting gas. There are often several variants manufactured together adding up to many hundreds of brackets in a run. You can see them stacked up here in from of our 100 ton 3M Safan CNC press brake. This machine is great of sub-contract projects due to it’s speed of programming and tool setting. It shares the same tooling as our Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes. This makes it easy to run a large production run over several machines when needed.

If you wish to see more examples of sub-contract laser cutting, CNC punching and CNC bending please take a look at our Pinterest boards.

For any sub-contract projects that you might have, simply send us an e-mail at sales@vandf.co.uk and we will be happy to supply you with a quote.

How to bend sheet metal in the UK with CNC press brakes

Friday, July 15th, 2022

Sheet metal projects using a wide variety of manufacturing processes

We have a variety of ways to bend sheet metal. It can be just a simple single bend in a component to make an angle bracket. Several bends to form a box right through to very complicated enclosures with multiple folded features. Some parts can be an assembly of several pieces welded together to make a fabricated component. The assembly can then be made from several material thicknesses, shapes and sizes.

When we want to bend sheet metal, we must first make sure that we have the correct flat blank. This is created by a mixture of experience, software and trial and error. Samples may be run in house to test the shape and size of a blank before we bend sheet metal in production. Once the blanks have been produced by either laser cutting or CNC punching then will be ready for bending.

To bend sheet metal, we can use fly-presses, rolling machines and power presses but the most common method is to use CNC press brakes. These machines allow use to bend sheet metal parts in a consistent way using standard press brake tooling. With several machines, sizes and power ratings we can bend most sheet metal projects people need.

For more examples of past sheet metal projects please take a look at our Pinterest Boards

If you have a sheet metal project that needs to be manufactured, then why not send us your drawings to sales@vandf.co.uk
We can read files in DXF, DWG, PDF, STEP and, SAT formats.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

Precision sheet metal brackets manufactured in the UK to your designs

Thursday, July 8th, 2021

Precision sheet metal brackets

When you are looking for a manufacturer of precision sheet metal brackets several factors come into play. Not just the manufacturing ability to physically make the brackets although this is clearly important. You may need support throughout the whole process. That support could take the form of design assistance. It could be multiple drops from a larger batch / kanban. It might be treatment and finishes for the complete one stop shop. If we can help you we will.

As far as the production of precision sheet metal brackets is concerned we have all the right equipment. Whether it’s laser cutting mild steel sheet metal as shown in the photo here. CNC punching aluminium with a wide range on standard CNC punch press tooling. Folding complex shapes using a range of CNC press brakes. Again, with a large selection of bend tooling to produce most parts without the need for special tooling. All aimed at keeping the cost down on new sheet metal projects.

If you want precision sheet metal brackets another important factory is communication. When you are selecting a new sub-contract sheet metal worker you need to be sure than can read your drawings. We have the ability to open DXF, DWG, STEP and SAT CAD files. Obviously we can also read PDF files if you prefer that format. Sketches and samples can also be used as a starting point for manufacturing.

Ask us for a quote today and we will be happy to help you.

Precision sheet metal fabrications manufactured to your designs

Tuesday, April 20th, 2021

Precision sheet metal fabrications

Precision sheet metal fabrications can be used in so many different ways.

It may be sheet metal components manufactured for an electronics housing. Precision cut outs for cable connector to snap into place. Perhaps precision lighting reflectors to focus the light from a high performance lamp. Precision sheet metal copper plates for electrical bus bars. When there are many components brought together to form an assembly there will be need for precision in the cutting and folding of the individual parts.

Precision sheet metal fabrications

With these particular images we have custom components being formed on one of our Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes. The shapes formed are a combination of CNC bends, CNC curve multi-bends and using curved form tooling. All these precision sheet metal techniques have produced complex shapes without the need for special tooling.

The initial calculations to produce the profile were not easy. 3D CAD/CAM was used to produce a developed blank. This was then experimented and refines. Several iterations later we had the correct blank size for laser cutting and CNC bend programs that worked in production. Having a laser cutting machine is idea with a profile such as this. We can easily cut precision templates to check the shape during a product batch.

Precision sheet metal fabrications

For lots of ideas on sheet metal designs it’s always worth looking at past projects. Our Pinterest boards are a great starting point.

If you have a precision sheet metal fabrication project that needs manufacturing and you have a set of drawings, feel free to send them over to us. We will be happy to work through them and put prices on your volumes breaks for manufacturing as well as suggest any changes that could save you money. Please use sales@vandf.co.uk or call us if you want a chat.

Custom sheet metal workers manufacturing in the UK

Thursday, April 8th, 2021

Custom sheet metal work

Custom sheet metal work can encompass so many different products. From the smallest clip just a few mm across to folded sections up to 3M long. As we deal with approximately 75 different customers every month custom sheet metal really does include many different parts. We would normally say that thinner gauges best suit us when we are manufacturing sheet metal components. Traditionally we have worked up to 3mm thick sheet in ferrous and non-ferrous materials. With a laser cutter we can go thicker than that and work up to 6mm on occasions. It really depends on the size of the component and the tolerances required by the customer.

So, let’s take a look at these custom sheet metal projects in more detail. The only thing these parts have in common is that they were all being manufactured in April 2021. In fact I saw them all on the same day as I walked around our factory. I never tire of seeing sheet metal components being manufactured no matter what the batch size of design. It’s always a good starting point for a sheet metal blog post.

Custom sheet metal work

We have here parts that have both been created by laser cutting and CNC punching. Both services are offered in house and supported by Trumpf service engineers and Radan CAD/CAM software. If a customer had no particular preference for laser cutting or CNC punching we will select the best method to suit the custom part.

It may be that the custom sheet metal part really suits laser cutting, perhaps it has a complex outer profile or a unique cut out shape. New tooling isn’t always practical if there are only small volumes. In that case the way to go is certainly laser cutting. The thickness of the part may also decide which way to go. When parts have added features such as formed dimples, tapped threads or ventilation louvres then it’s obviously going to be CNC punching. We will often produce a quote both ways to see which comes out the cheapest. The advantage for you is that we can take the best path to cheap parts without compromising the quality of the parts.

Custom sheet metal work

For examples of other customer sheet metal work produced by us over the years take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

The parts I have chosen to illustrate here just happen to be made from mild steel, galvanised steel and stainless steel. They could just as well have been brass, copper or aluminium. They have all been folded up on one of our Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes. Having a number of CNC press brakes to call upon enables us to be flexible when it comes to dealing with urgent jobs.

So when I say custom sheet metal work cab be varied I really mean every part is different. That’s the challenge of sub-contract sheet metal work. Every customer has their own ideas and we are here to support them where we can. If you have a custom sheet metal job and need some advice on manufacturing or price options for different volumes, give us a call. Better still, if you have drawings e-mail us at sales@vandf.co.uk and our team will be happy to help you.

Sheet metal housing fabrications manufactured in the UK

Tuesday, March 30th, 2021

Sheet metal housing fabrications come in all shapes and sizes. Here we have 3 different parts that will all go together to make a welded sheet metal housing. All parts have been laser cut and CNC punched before we start CNC bending. The design is all our customers own work but with our input. We helped refine bend sizes to suit standard tooling. Advised on the best methods to join the separate parts together and provided samples to test out ideas.

Sheet metal folded housings produced in the UK

These particular sheet metal housing fabrications were made one batch of 200 parts. Some were produced in groups from the same sheets of metal to save materials. All folded on our Safan e-Brake CNC press brake and then TiG stitch welded together. The final operation after post weld cleaning up was to get them powder coated.

Folded sheet metal parts

We manufacture these parts in on batch and then complete the final welding and powder coating in smaller batches to help our customer. Feeding in regular drops of work to their production schedule.

Want to see hundreds of examples of sheet metal projects? Take a look at our Pinterest Boards for ideas on your next design.

Sub-contract sheet metal enclosures

If you have a job coming up that is going to need sheet metal housing fabrications please ask our team for help. Quote price options, design advice and material selection. Simply e-mail your requirement as a PDF, STEP, SAT, DXF or DWG file. If you only have a sketch that’s fine too.

With over 35 years of experience at V&F Sheet Metal we are here as a supportive partner for your sheet metal needs.

Folding sheet metal housings using CNC press brakes in 2021

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021

When we are looking at folding sheet metal housings we first have to produce an accurate blank. Accuracy and consistency is what we are looking for. Whether we go down the route of CNC punching or CNC laser cutting the blanks need to be programmed correctly. These blanks are all programmed using our Radan CAD/CAM software.

Connecting 3D software models to developed blanks enables for quick calculations. When run in conjunction with fast setting CNC press brakes test pieces can easily be run. When needed we can then hop onto the laser machine with a test program, run a couple of parts and fold it up in minutes. This then helps to fine tune the production program and improve the process of folding up the sheet metal work.

Folding sheet metal housings in stainless steel

When we are folding sheet metal housings we have a range of CNC press brakes to call upon. Housings and brackets up to 1M long may well be folded on our Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes. Larger work can go on our Safan e-Brake 3M CNC press brake. Profiles for the heating, lighting, electronics, audio and display industries are regularly folded. With batch sizes from just a few parts to many thousands regularly produced with no issues.

Folding sheet metal housings by V and F Sheet Metal

Folding sheet metal housings whether it’s in aluminium, stainless steel or Zintec its not an issue when you have the right machines and tooling. The flexibility to go from job to job on the same folding machine and the same tooling just changing the program is great news for us. Offering up these machines as a sub-contract manufacturing service means we have to be nimble in running a large variety of jobs every day. One minute we will be folding sheet metal housings then its stainless steel support brackets or copper electrical connectors. You name it and we have folded it.

Folded aluminium trays

The images you see here were simply selected from a wide range on one day walking around our factory. If you are looking for a sheet metal company to help folding sheet metal housings please give us a try. Simple call us for a chat or e-mail your drawing requirements.

For more examples of sheet metal housings take a look at Pinterest Boards.

Our engineering team are here to help you.

Multi bending curves in sheet metal using CNC press brakes

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021

Multi bending curved surfaces

Whenever we need to produce curves in sheet metal we have several methods to consider. The overall length of the profile, material type, thickness, radius and production volumes all play a part in this decision. With small components in relatively high volumes constructing a form tool may well be a sensible option. This type of tooling could be mounted in a CNC press brake, power press or if small in a fly press. It would be idea for small brackets with curved profiles.

If however the part had an even radius form, rolling the curve may be a better option. With a range of hand and power rollers in house we often roll curved shapes. Up to 1M wide and a range of materials and thicknesses up to 3mm can be processed. Rolling works best where a consistent radius is required, for instance a semi-circular band. If however a more complex multi-radius curve is required then multi bending is the perfect solution.

Multi bending sheet metal curves

Multi bending on CNC press brakes can be a very flexible manufacturing process. With the ability to create complex shapes with both concave and convex curves within the same piece of sheet metal, multi bending is the method of choice for larger and complex profiles. Being able to adjust CNC programs from batch to batch to suit different material spring back characteristics is perfect. Curves can be checked against laser cut templates to ensure their accuracy.

With no special tooling required multi bending can also be used as a quick way to try out shapes for prototype work before money is committed to expensive hard tooling. More images of curved sheet metal can be found on our Pinterest Boards.

The great thing about all these processes; forming, rolling and multi bending is that we can apply the right one to suit your design and volumes. With a copy of your drawing or CAD data we can explore the options for you and produce a range of prices to suit. Simply send us an enquiry and we will do the rest.

Sheet metal bracket design ideas to help you save you money

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021

Sheet metal bracket design

Sheet metal bracket design ideas can be many and varied. From using different materials and surface treatments to material thicknesses and profiles. The brackets shown here were manufactured from mild steel (zinc plated) and mill finish aluminium. They could just as easily have been produced from galvanised steel or stainless steel. Like all sheet metal manufacturing we have the flexibility to produce a wide range of part designs without the need for specific tooling.

Sheet metal brackets designed with inserted threads are ideal for saving time in assembly. Whether its bushes, stand-offs or studs we have huge stocks of parts and all the tooling needed to insert them. CNC bending brackets is easy when you have decades of experience and the right tooling for the job.

Sheet metal bracket design

Laser cutting and CNC punching both perfectly suit the manufacture of sheet metal bracket blanks. Using Radan CAD/CAM software to develop reliable 3D models, developed blanks and complete tooled nests we are able to turn your ideas into reality.

A great place to review an in depth study of the stages we might go through in CNC programming sheet metal brackets can be seen at http://www.vandf.co.uk/software/sheet-metal-fabricated-bracket/

For many more examples of sheet metal bracket designs you can always take a look at our Pinterest Boards.

If you already have a bracket design ready for quoting / manufacture please send us a drawing and our team will be happy to take a look for you.

Sheet metal manufacturing near me

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

If you are looking for sheet metal manufacturing near you perhaps you should be talking to V and F Sheet Metal. Based in the south of England and with well over 30 years experience in manufacturing sheet metal work for people right across the UK. We ship product locally and far afield. Please take a look at our website pages to see the wide range of parts we manufacture and all to our customers own designs.

CNC punched galvanised brackets

The images shown here illustrate the stages of CNC punching and CNC bending a sheet metal bracket. You can see that once a single component has been tooled it can easily be copied over a whole sheet. This enables us to achieve a high yield from any given sheet size.

Sheet metal component manufacturing

This is a good example of CNC punching a part with a range of simple off the shelf tooling. A small range of circles, rectangles and a single D were used to create the component profile and holes. If you want to view the wide range of CNC punch press tooling that we have for you to use for free, take a look at our tooling library. For more examples of CNC punching it’s well worth a look at our Pinterest Boards. There is also a collection of past manufacturing projects illustrated in our gallery pages with hundreds of ideas for your nest sheet metal design. Feel free to take a look and call us if there is something that catches your eye. We can often adapt tooling and ideas to suit different products.

Sheet metal CNC punched nests

The scrap sheets known as “skeletons” are collected up and recycled along with all the metal that comes from the holes. Metal is grouped together by grade e.g. stainless steel, aluminium, mild steel and kept separate. This metal is then sent for melting down to remake fresh metal sheet. This process is very green with very little waste. Even components that are used to help set up manufacturing processes and then scrapped can be included and recycled.

CNC bent sheet metal brackets

And finally the folded bracket is ready to be shipped to the customer. This small galvanised steel bracket is typical of the sheet metal work that we produce every day of the week. If you have a sheet metal project that needs manufacturing please give us a call or e-mail us your drawings and we will be happy to take a look for you.

So for sheet metal manufacturing near you please ask for details.

CNC punching and CNC bending sheet metal work

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

CNC punching and CNC bending

Combining CNC punching and CNC bending together enables some great products to be manufactured very quickly. Employing the very latest sheet metal CAD/CAM software enables our customers to adapt their designs from batch to batch. Fine tuning designs and producing special projects are no problem for us. We can work with your 2D and 3D files to help you with your designs. It also enables us to produce fast accurate quotations with costed options where necessary.

Producing accurate blanks is the key to folding accurate parts. We are lucky in having 2 Trumpf CNC punch presses and a Trumpf CNC laser cutting machine. We can swap jobs around to find the best manufacturing method and also reduce bottlenecks in production. Some sheet metal parts can even be CNC laser cut and then CNC punched to add extra formed features. Then onto CNC bending. With the ability to access all these processes within one factory enables us to offer a very flexible service to our customers.

CNC punched and CNC formed mild steel sheet

All our principle CNC bending machines share the same tooling. Have a rush job and we can move production around to suit your needs. Repeatable parts from batch to batch with centrally stored CNC programs for punching and bending.

CNC punching and CNC bending are the backbone of our manufacturing service. Couple this with CNC laser cutting and you have a great combination of tools to get any sheet metal job made.

CNC punched and CNC bent sheet metal work

Looking for a flexible partner to help you with your sheet metal needs?

Contact V and F Sheet Metal and we will be happy to help you out with your next order. Take a look at our Pinterest boards for lots of great examples of CNC punching and CNC bending.

Have a drawing then simple e-mail sales@vandf.co.uk or give us a call for a chat if you wish

CNC bending sheet metal work in the UK during 2020

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020

Brackets manufactured in the UK

It’s time to have another quick look at recent sheet metal projects. This time it’s sheet metal brackets. Using various CNC bending techniques some very complex parts can be manufactured. I love that fact that nearly every bracket we produce is different to the next but all using standard tooling. Whether it’s on one of our smaller Trumpf 7036 CNC press brakes or our larger 3M Safan e-brake the tooling’s the same. The process is the same and so is the end result, accurately folded sheet metal work.

The repeatability from part to part and from batch to batch is what makes these machines so useful in the workshop. We can produce a sample today and come back in a year’s time with the same CNC program and tooling and run production without any changes. Before CNC bending machines (press brakes) every set up was a long winded process and nowhere near as accurate as todays processes.

sub-contract sheet metal work

We take full advantage of the ability to treat a small batch like a big batch when it comes to costing. With very short set up times along with easy setting of a laser machine it has enabled us to try out samples and fine tune sizes before running a production batch. It’s a great help when materials come in say in their bottom or top tolerance for gauge. Simply run a couple of parts from the corner of a sheet and bend them up to check all is well before pressing ahead with the full production batch.

2020 has been a strange year for everyone. We hope now to push ahead again with supporting our customers, dealing with panic orders if they help our customers to gain new business and as ever the standard production runs when people need them.

If you have a sheet metal bracket that needs CNC bending simply send us a drawing and we will be happy to quote for production. Have an idea and stuck on the detail, give us a call and our team will help you out.

Brackets manufactured in the UK direct to your own designs

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020

Brackets manufactured in the UK

If you are looking for brackets manufactured in the UK then we are definitely here to help you. With over 30 years’ experience in manufacturing we can help you with your new projects. Hundreds of CNC punching and CNC bending tools enables us to produce the vast majority of products without the need for new tooling. Having seen and manufactured so many projects in the past help us to see any pitfalls in a complex design, point them out early on and save you money.

Whether you are thinking of having brackets manufactured in stainless steel, mild steel or aluminium we are here to help. We also manufacture brackets from brass, copper, galv., Zintec and spring stainless steel. You name it and we make it.

Brackets manufactured in the UK

With a wide range of CNC punching, laser cutting and CNC bending facilities all in house samples and development can be quickly supported. 3D images from our Radan CAD/CAM system can be used to help discussions when it comes to reviewing design options.

All you have to do now is send us a drawing in either 2D or 3D format. Need to have a chat, that’s OK with us we are passionate about sheet metal and would love to hear from you and discuss your ideas.

Folded stainless steel sheet metal housings manufactured in the UK

Thursday, July 16th, 2020

CNC bending stainless steel housings

Folded stainless steel sheet metal housings, some of the options available to you.

When you are designing sheet metal housings it’s always worth thinking about the manufacturing processes in advance. Whether the housing is made from a single piece of metal or many sub-parts joined together time spent early on will save money in the long run.

We may be looking at laser cutting v CNC punching to produce the housing blanks. Depending on the thickness of the material required and the complexity of the design one way or the other will seem the best route to take. Some feature may also immediately suggest a certain blank production method, for example if the housing has formed dimples or plunged and tapped threads then CNC punching will be the best manufacturing method. If however the housing has a company logo cut into it or a series of curved profiles laser cutting may be the more efficient method of production. We will always look at your design and select the most appropriate method and keep you in the loop at the quoting stage.

Stainless steel housings

There are similar considerations to be made when it comes to folding sheet metal housings. Not only the physical size and tonnage required to fold the angles but the complexity of the design and the ease with which the folds can be produced. This certainly needs experience, we have had many a good design sent to us to find that’s it’s impossible to fold from 1 piece of metal. A quick call or e-mail at an early stage of development will save time in the long run especially if we are using off the shelf tooling.

These folded stainless steel sheet metal housings have been developed in conjunction with the customer to enable the most efficient method of production. The more parts that have to be assembled together more thought has to be given to alignment and tolerance build up. This is where a useful piece of software such as our 3D Radan CAD/CAM software comes in handy.

Stainless steel housings

Like so much in sheet metal work it can look easy until you come to translating your designs to physical components. We are always here to help you with your ideas and point you in the right direction when it comes to tooling and material selection.

For more examples of recent sheet metal projects why not take a look at our Pinterest boards.

We are always happy to receive your drawings to review.

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