Metal Fabrication

Metal Fabrication Specialists

Universal Fabrications is a preferred supplier for metal-based fabrications and has been for decades. As a trade supplier to OEMs and principal contractors, our customers choose us based on our engineering expertise, versatile capabilities and track record for delivering prototype to production solutions.

To guarantee success, we ensure each and every project is resourced with suitably qualified people who have the experience and empowerment to make it happen. Our project teams are formed by Engineering Project Managers who are experienced in managing high value and time critical projects.

For over 45 years, Universal has been continually investing in the latest machines, tooling, and methods, enabling them to be best in class when it comes to sheet metal fabrications. From custom metal enclosures to a specialist vehicle chassis with machined parts we have it covered.

diagram of metal fabrication armoured vehicle parts

Prototyping Design

Skilled designers take our customers’ technical drawings and 3D models to create manufacturing drawings. These fully detail the necessary material specifications, dimensions, bend angles, hardware requirements, and any other manufacturing instructions required for the project.

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close up of CNC punching press machine with metal plate at sheet metal fabrication company

Sheet Metal Cutting & Punching

Our flagship Amada CNC Fibre Lasers have the power and accuracy to cut parts from sheet metal up to a sheet size of 4m x 2m and a material thickness of 25mm. Through our Laser / Punch combination machine, we are able to cut and punch formed holes on a single machine which reduces our customers’ cost per unit. The same machine can also tap holes which further compounds this benefit.

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hands shown operating a bending machine at sheet metal fabrication company

Bending and Forming

Our fleet of 5 CNC brake presses precisely bends parts to a wide range of angles. We utilise a range of radius dies and stamps to create custom flanges, lips, panels, and enclosure shapes. Through the maintaining of tight tolerances, our parts are made to drawing ensuring assemblies consistently fit together seamlessly.

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Welding

Utilising 13 welding bays and robotic cells, our metal welding expertise spans MIG, TIG, Laser, Spot and Projection techniques delivering flawless welds. Having an extensive welding capability supports customers in achieving their design and project objectives. Whether it’s prototyping, small batch runs or large complex fabrications with machined elements, we have it covered.

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man working in a factory finishing using the technique of electrostatic powder coating with a spray gun

Finishing & Coating

For the welded parts, we have a dedicated fettling area where we are able to prepare the parts and assemblies for surface coating. If our customers do not have in house finishing, we are able to clean, paint, powder coat, galvanize, electroplate, anodize, metal coat and passivate to meet the finished part requirements.

Machining

Through a number of machining operations, we are able to complete the full fabrication requirement. This includes milling, turning, drilling, inserting and grinding. These operations create holes and features for hardware attachment points, rapid installation, airflow, cabling access or fixturing positions. This delivers customer parts ready for integration and end use.

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Fabricated Parts & Assemblies

metal fabricated part manufactured by uk company

electric vehicle chassis made by sheet metal fabrication company coventry UK

police cage showcasing sheet metal fabrication

part manufactured by UK metal fabrication company

metal food waste enclosure bin two images showing open and closed lid

welding on part made by fabrication company

FAQs about our Metal Fabrication Services

Universal is able to weld parts and fabricate assemblies up to an overall size of 10m x 6m x 4m with a weight of up to 10 Tonnes. We have extension experience fabricating vehicle chassis for the military and specialist vehicle manufacturers and providers.

Our lead Project Engineers are Metal Manufacturing Experts with decades of experience overcoming heat distortion challenges. For each welding project a Welding Jigs & Fixtures specialist designs and manufacturers welding fixtures to hold parts to the correct dimensions post welding. Additionally, as Universal is able to carry out Laser Welding, MIG & TIG Welding and Robotic Welding we are fully able to select the most appropriate welding process and weld types for the requirement. This covers such considerations as the material type, its thickness, weld penetration, aesthetics alongside adherence to the critical dimensional requirements.

Yes. Universal Fabrications has a Precision Engineering team with 3, 4 and 5 axis CNC Milling Machines to machine the part or assembly, post fabrication. Having Precision Machining, Fabrication and Assembly capability enables us to be best placed to manufacture the complete product requirement.

Large complex fabrications typically require a volume of bent parts to be welded together. Whether you are robot welding, MIG/TIG welding, or even laser welding, it is important that the subcomponent parts are dimensionally correct, as the fabrication depends on the sum of the tolerances being within the overall specification. Through Universal Fabrications’ consistently accurate cutting and bending, we are able to be a leading subcontracted provider of metal-based parts, components, and welded fabrications.

Our welding team are coded to BS EN ISO 15613, BS EN ISO 9606-1, BS EN 9606-2, AWS D17.1m (Class B), BS EN287-1 standards and we operate to BS EN ISO 3834-2. In addition to this, we offer adherence to customer specific coded welding requirements whereby we certify the welder and the process being undertaken. We do this certification through Zurich Testing Laboratories.

Prototyped Autonomous Commercial Vehicle Chassis

Competitive Metal Fabricators

“Universal stands out through their customer engagement and through the metal fabrications and assemblies they manufacture for us. They are one of our biggest suppliers due to competitive quotations and timely completion of orders.”

Senior Buyer, Defence Contractor, West Midlands

Low and High-Volume Projects

“Universal has a great response to enquiries, a range of capabilities and the ability to support both low and high-volume work metal fabrication and precision machining work.”

EV Assembly Plant, Buyer, Coventry

Loughborough Manufacturer’s Feedback

“We work to very tight tolerances. Being able to achieve these from one-offs to larger batches in a variety of methods and materials (CNC Milling / Sheet Metal Fabrication) is very useful.”

Hydrogen Energy, Senior Buyer, Loughborough

Exceeding Expectations for Leicester Buyers

“Communication and reaction response exceeds other suppliers.”

Mobile Lift Company, Buyer Leicester

Our Machinery

Amada Punch Laser Machine for punching and cutting metal

PUNCH LASER CUTTING

Amada EML punch/laser combination with tower loader.

3050mm x 1525mm max worksheet size
4kw laser cutting, forming, punching and tapping
Accurate to +/- 0.07mm
9 tonne automated material processing
Mild steel, stainless, aluminium, brass and copper

LASER CUTTING

Amada ENSIS Fibre Laser 4000 x 2000 laser with tower loader.

4070mm x 2050mm max worksheet size
3kw laser cutting
Accurate to +/- 0.01mm
9 tonne automated material processing
Mild steel, stainless, aluminium, brass copper and titanium

bending and forming machine for metal fabrication

BENDING / FORMING

Amada HFP 220 Tonne Brake Press 4m
Amada HFP 100 Tonne Brake Press 3m
Amada HFP 50 Tonne Brake Press 1m
Amada HD-AT Hybrid 3m Brake Press with automatic tool change

MANUAL MIG/TIG WELDING

Fronius CMT Welding Equipment

Cold metal transfer: the cold weather process for premium quality
A higher deposition rate, better gap-bridging ability and high stability
Extremely low heat input and an exceptionally stable arc set CMT apart from conventional mig/mag welding

ROBOTIC WELDING

ABB robotic welding cells x3 and Fanuc robotics welding cells x6

IRC 5 control with manipulators
2500mm x 1500mm x 1500mm reach
Fronius CMT welding equipment
Mild steel, stainless and aluminium

LASER WELDING

Max Photonics MA1-65 Laser Welder

Laser Welding seam capacity up to 6.5mm on steel & stainless steel, 5.5mm on aluminium, 4.5mm on brass and 3.0 mm on copper
Minimal heat affected zone and material distortion.
4 times faster than TIG Welding.
High precision welding seams.
Welds diverse and dissimilar materials.