SOLIDWORKS CAD/CAM 3D
SolidWorks CAD/CAM refers to the integration of Computer-aided design (CAD) and Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). CAD/CAM software is used to design and manufacture production prototypes often used for testing prior to mass production using a single development software programme tool.
Our CAD-CAM systems provides us with high–speed machine tool paths, which enables us to minimize cycle times, reduce tool and machine wear. Using up to 4G high-speed machine and tool paths helps us to improve cutting quality and accuracy.
Sheet Laser Cutting
We operate a 12kw sheet fibre laser with an independent loading system which provides us with supreme flexibility. We can accurately profile very intricate and complex shapes to basic and simple parts. We also generate and use our own nitrogen for cutting materiel thus reducing oxidisation on part edges and removing the need for a secondary de-burring operation.
The primary form of laser cutting for sheet metal is ‘vaporisation cutting’, in which the laser beam melts the material and a high pressure gas removes the molten material. The 3 main types of laser cutter are flying optic; moving material; and hybrid laser cutting
How accurate is sheet metal laser cut?
Laser cutting can focus on about 25 microns, which is about ¼ of the width of a strand of human hair. Additionally, the cut width can be extremely small, at less than 0.025mm. On the other hand, the dimensional accuracy is typically quite precise, at about ± 0.0127mm.
Tube Laser Cutting
We operate a 6kw tube and box section fibre laser which provides us with supreme flexibility. Using 3D CAD software we can accurately create simple & complex box section and tubular assemblies which when profiled ensure build and labour efficiency
We also generate and use our own nitrogen for cutting material thus reducing oxidisation on part edges and removing the need for a secondary de-burring operation.
The primary form of laser cutting for sheet metal is ‘vaporisation cutting’, in which the laser beam melts the material and a high pressure gas removes the molten material. The 3 main types of laser cutter are flying optic; moving material; and hybrid laser cutting
How accurate is sheet metal laser cut?
Laser cutting can focus on about 25 microns, which is about ¼ of the width of a strand of human hair. Additionally, the cut width can be extremely small, at less than 0.025mm. On the other hand, the dimensional accuracy is typically quite precise, at about ± 0.0127mm.
CNC Press Brake & Metal Forming
Press braking, or brake forming, is a metal deformation process that aligns a piece of sheet or plate metal along an axis. This is achieved by using pressing tool (press brake) to clamp the metal piece between a punch and a die set for prearranged bending
SSL Design and Fabrication’s modern manufacturing facility includes a number of CNC AMADA press brakes and well over £90,000 worth of investment in press brake tooling. Included in our press brake line up is a 4metre x 170 tonne machine that allows us to form longer profiles in one section.
We can offer material forming from very light gauge .5mm thickness up to 20mm thick which covers most products and give us enormous versatility in the many sectors we supply within our portfolio of customers.
Assemblies
Why is assembly important in manufacturing?
Product assembly is a critical stage in the manufacturing process, which involves assembling various components to create a final product that meets the required specifications and functions correctly. It is a vital process that ensures the product’s quality and proper functioning.
The Different Assembly Types
An assembly may also refer to a single-level bill of material (BOM), a multilevel BOM, or a top-level BOM. Some assemblies may be comprised of mechanical, electrical, or software components
Welding & Laser Welding
Welding is a fabrication process whereby two or more parts are fused together by means of heat, pressure or both forming a join as the parts cool. The completed welded joint may be referred to as a weldment
We use TIG/MIG and Laser welding for most of our projects and have brazing capabilities when working with copper and or pewter
All of our welding stations have both TIG & MIG plants to ensure seamless integration of welded parts ensuring a smooth flow of productivity.
Every welding booth or space has extraction and each member of the welding team has an air fed mask. We believe supplying all members of staff with the correct equipment not only improves our standard of work but ensures the welding practice is carried out safely and correctly
Laser Welding
As part of our ongoing commitment to training we also use the lastest laser welding technology. Laser welding is a process used to join together metals using a laser beam to form a weld.
Not only is laser welding typically stronger than MIG, it’s three to ten times faster, welding relatively thick joints with ease, all without requiring multiple passes or high heat, which can diminish the strength of the welded materials.
How thick a piece of steel can you laser weld?
The maximum thickness that can be welded in a single pass is determined by the maximum power of the available laser. For example, a 3-kW CO2laser can effectively weld steel up to approx 5mm thick, while a 25-kW CO2laser can weld approx 25mm thick steel.
Polishing
We have in house metal polishing to clean and dress welds that need to be smooth and “weld mark” free. During the first stage, a rougher abrasive belt or disk is used to remove imperfections from the weld/s.
Finer abrasives are then used to leave the material relatively unmarked in subsequent stages. Polishing and buffing compounds are usually applied with polishing wheels and high-speed polishers to achieve a mirror-like finish on stainless steel and other materials.
Powder Coating
We have in house powder coating facilities that includes a 70m overhead track conveyer system and an offline 5.5×2.5×2.5 box oven.
Powder Coating is a dry finishing process created by an electric charge that causes a dry powder to fuse to the surface of the metal. This is then baked in a curing oven to achieve a smooth coating. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint.
In comparison to wet spray-paint applications, powder coats are more efficient thanks to the electrostatic process, which reduces waste by 95%. The majority of color granules that go into a powder-coat application arrive at their intended destination, and the amount that doesn’t can be reused in a later application using our recovery spray booth
Powder coating is not indestructible and even a properly applied finish can be scratched or chipped if it is impacted with enough force or is exposed to sharp objects. However, it is a very durable finish that works very well both inside and outside environments.
Benefits of powder coating:
Quality Control & Finishing
Our quality control and finishing area consists of a number of highly skilled and experienced operatives who work to a procedure or set of procedures intended to ensure that a manufactured product or service adheres to a defined set of quality criteria and meets the requirements of the client or customer.
Simple step by step quality checks are in place throughout all our manufacturing processes and our very high standards ensure we meet our own and customer expectations.
Logistic/storage/transport
Delivering our products is also a key part of our operation, we have our own delivery vehicles as well as number a trusted distribution partners to ensure safe and secure transportation of products across the UK and abroad.
Storage
We also have over 5000sqft of customer storage space available on site. The storage facility can be used to manage and monitor customer stock and or used to store qty of product on an agreed call of system.
Customers using this facility can either request delivery from us as and when required of arrange their own collections again as and when required.