Sheet Metal Fabrication
With over 25 years of experience in sheet metal fabrication, Yorkshire Laser is home to state-of-the-art machinery and software.
Based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, our highly qualified and experienced CAD engineers and welders, are considered to be experts in our field, with a client base ranging from the automotive sector through to telecommunications and food manufacturers.
Yorkshire Laser and Fabrication is a byword for experience and expertise from a sheet metal fabrication company. We combine experience with innovation to ensure we can design and deliver the most up-to-date and reliable solutions.
Harnessing the benefits of modern technology, we are the ‘go-to’ experts in sheet metal laser fabrication, steel fabrication services, laser profiling, CNC punching and CNC folding in the Leeds area.
What is sheet metal fabrication?
Sheet metal fabrication is vital for many industries, from construction to aerospace, automotive, and beyond. It’s a refined manufacturing process that is responsible for a great number of products that you see every day.
Metal fabrication has been around for centuries, but it continues to evolve with technological advancements. From creating precision parts for machinery to metal structures for buildings and bridges, its use cases are in even more areas than you’d think.
Sheet metal fabrication processes are comprised primarily of cutting and forming metal sheets to the desired shape using various types of metal profiling and forming equipment.
The steps involved for sheet metal fabricators include laser cutting, bending, inserting, welding, surface treatment (such as powder coating or shot blasting) and assembling.
What are the benefits of sheet metal fabrication?
Sheet metals are capable of withstanding heavy pressure without collapsing. They are also resistant to corrosion, moisture and sunlight.
As well as this, sheet metal is highly malleable and with the correct equipment metal components can be moulded into almost any shape with the correct equipment and appropriate fabrication techniques.
● Durability and strength: Metal products withstand pressure, corrosion, and wear.
● Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of applications due to its malleability and corrosion resistance.
● Cost-effectiveness: Efficient manufacturing processes reduce costs, especially for high-volume production.
● Precision: Advanced manufacturing technologies ensure components meet stringent specifications.
How the sheet metal fabrication process works
The sheet metal fabrication process at Yorkshire Laser starts with precision design, leveraging computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) software to bring your concepts to life. Skilled metal fabricators then employ a range of techniques:
● Laser cutting: Utilising focused laser beams to cut raw materials with high precision.
● CNC punching: Punching holes, shapes & forms in sheet metal.
● Bending and folding: Using press brakes to shape the metal.
● Welding: Techniques like MIG welding, TIG welding and spot welding to join metal parts securely.
● Finishing: Including powder coating, wet painting, and bead blasting for corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.
What does a sheet metal fabricator do?
A skilled sheet metal fabricator transforms raw metal materials into predefined shapes and sizes.
At Yorkshire Laser, our highly experienced and fully qualified fabricators are adept at working with a broad range of metals and thicknesses, employing both traditional skills and advanced technology to meet the specific requirements of any project.
Our sheet metal fabrication services
Accuracy is our watchword, and our Wakefield-based team have combined traditional skills with 21st-century technology and automation to provide:
Sheet metal laser profiling
Precision sheet metal laser profiling refers to the process of using a focused laser beam to melt raw materials in a localised area, cutting the metal by burning it to the desired shape.
The main advantage of this cutting process is the fine level of cutting detail that can be achieved thanks to fibre laser cutters.
Yorkshire Laser is one of the UK’s leading sheet metal laser cutting companies, accredited to ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards.
CNC punching
Computer numerically controlled punching is a metal manufacturing punching process that is carried out by punch presses. It offers unmatched efficiency and competitively priced parts.
Our CNC punching machines and punch presses can handle a wide range of sheet metals while also being able to add forms like countersinks, louvres, knock outs and threaded holes.
CNC folding
Computer numerically controlled folding is a metal manufacturing process that is carried out by CNC press brakes, and as the name suggests presses angles into the sheet metal components.
Inserting and stud welding processes
Inserting and stud welding are processes industries can use to attach fasteners to plate metal materials.
MAGS and TAGS welding to coded standards in mild steel, aluminium and stainless steel
MAG AND TIG welding of mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium is available from our team of fully qualified (all to NVQ Level 3 or higher) welders.
Bespoke design service
Yorkshire Laser can laser cut sheet metal to your design specifications wherever possible. From bespoke enclosures to structural steelwork and security grilles, Yorkshire Laser offers a complete offline design service using the latest 3D modelling software package from SOLIDWORKS.
Types of sheet metal fabrication process
Mild steel fabrication
Known for its versatility, mild steel has a variety of uses as a raw material, including machinery parts and pipelines, as well as gates and fencing.
The advantages of mild steel include high tensile and impact strength, although the alloy is not suitable for heat treatment as part of the sheet metal manufacturing process, to improve its properties.
Stainless steel fabricators Yorkshire
Stainless steel fabrication refers to the process of cutting, machining and bending steel into usable structures. Yorkshire Laser are experts in the sheet metal forming process and can meet all your design specifications.
The advantages of stainless steel sheet metal include the fact that it is resistant to corrosion, fire and heat as well as being very easy to clean.
Aluminium sheet metal fabrication
Aluminium fabrication is the process of shaping aluminium into a finished product. The process of fabricating aluminium is varied and includes methods such as welding, stamping, bending and extruding.
A highly durable product, aluminium is corrosion-resistant and immune to the negative effects of harmful UV rays.
Galvanised and Zintec materials
Thanks to the sophisticated machinery on site at Yorkshire Laser we are able to cut both Zintec and galvanised steels.
Our sector expertise
Sheet metal fabrication’s versatility allows it to cater to diverse range of sectors including automotive, telecommunications, medical equipment, food manufacturing, lighting, furniture, fencing, shop fitting and architectural design.
From intricate medical devices to robust automotive components and decorative architectural pieces, the applications are nearly limitless, and Yorkshire Laser has years of experience across all these sectors and more.
Our expertise has seen us manufacture of brackets, sheet metal enclosures and metal fabrication for some of the world’s most impressive projects – including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Why choose Yorkshire Laser for your sheet metal fabrication projects?
Choosing Yorkshire Laser means partnering with experienced metal fabricators who understand the importance of precision, quality, and innovation.
Our state-of-the-art machinery, combined with our extensive knowledge of sheet metal parts and sheet metal fabrication techniques and processes, ensures that we can tackle projects of any scale, from simple components to complex assemblies. Yorkshire Laser customers benefit from:
● Comprehensive sheet metal fabrication services: From the design stage to final assembly services, we manage the entire project, ensuring quality and efficiency.
● Advanced technology: Our facility in West Yorkshire boasts the latest in laser cutting, CNC machining and welding technologies, allowing for high precision and faster turnaround times for your sheet metal fabrications.
● Custom solutions: We offer bespoke design and fabrication services, tailored to meet the unique sheet metal fabrication needs of each customer.
● Expert team: Our project managers and fabricators work closely with clients, ensuring that every aspect of the project aligns with their vision and requirements.
For your next project, choose Yorkshire Laser and experience the difference that professional and dedicated metal fabrication services can make, with quality products and exceptional service as standard.
