Sheet Metal Fabrication for Machine Manufacturing

Yorkshire Profiles manufactures laser cut, folded and fabricated components for machinery and equipment manufacturers throughout the UK.

British manufacturers produce an enormous variety of industrial machinery, automated equipment and specialist systems, and sheet metal components appear throughout almost every machine.

From simple brackets and covers through to complex folded panels, control enclosures, machine frames and precision mounting plates, we can support both prototype machinery and repeat production equipment.

We also manufacture replacement and maintenance components for machinery already in service, making our services suitable throughout the entire life of a machine.

Typical components and machinery projects can include:

Machine side panels
Machine front panels
Machine rear panels
Machine roof panels
Machine base panels
Machine covers
Machine guards
Safety guards
Belt guards
Chain guards
Drive guards
Gearbox guards
Motor guards
Pulley guards
Coupling guards
Fan guards
Chuck guards
Splash guards
Swarf guards
Debris guards
Heat shields
Operator protection panels
Interlocked guarding panels
Guard doors
Access doors
Inspection panels
Service panels
Maintenance covers
Removable panels
Hinged panels
Control panel doors
Electrical enclosure panels
Electrical cabinet components
Control box enclosures
Control box panels
HMI mounting plates
HMI enclosures
Operator console panels
Push-button panels
Switch panels
Emergency stop panels
Indicator panels
Instrument panels
Electrical backplates
DIN rail mounting plates
PLC mounting plates
Drive mounting plates
Inverter mounting plates
Power supply brackets
Transformer mounting plates
Fuse board panels
Cable entry plates
Cable gland plates
Cable trays
Cable tray brackets
Cable management panels
Cable chain brackets
Cable support plates
Sensor brackets
Proximity sensor brackets
Photoelectric sensor brackets
Limit switch brackets
Encoder mounting plates
Camera brackets
Vision system brackets
Light curtain brackets
Barcode scanner brackets
RFID reader brackets
Laser scanner mounting plates
Machine vision lighting brackets
Machine bases
Machine base plates
Machine bed components
Machine chassis components
Frame plates
Frame gussets
Strengthening plates
Structural brackets
Corner brackets
Support brackets
Cross braces
Bracing plates
Cleats
Connection plates
Spacer plates
Shims
Packing plates
Levelling plates
Machine feet
Adjustable foot plates
Floor mounting plates
Anchor plates
Foundation plates
Skid plates
Equipment skid components
Equipment base frames
Motor mounting plates
Motor brackets
Gearbox mounting plates
Gearbox brackets
Pump mounting plates
Pump brackets
Bearing mounting plates
Bearing housings blanks
Shaft support plates
Linear rail mounting plates
Guide rail brackets
Lead screw support brackets
Ball screw mounting plates
Servo motor brackets
Stepper motor brackets
Actuator mounting plates
Pneumatic cylinder brackets
Hydraulic cylinder brackets
Valve mounting plates
Solenoid valve brackets
Pneumatic manifold plates
Hydraulic manifold mounting plates
FRL unit brackets
Air preparation equipment brackets
Hose support brackets
Pipe support brackets
Lubrication system brackets
Reservoir mounting plates
Oil tank brackets
Coolant tank brackets
Filter mounting brackets
Heat exchanger brackets
Conveyor side plates
Conveyor frames
Conveyor support legs
Conveyor support brackets
Conveyor end plates
Conveyor bed plates
Conveyor guard panels
Conveyor transition plates
Conveyor transfer plates
Conveyor guide rail brackets
Belt conveyor components
Chain conveyor components
Friction conveyor components
Roller conveyor components
Slat conveyor components
Pallet conveyor components
Powered roller conveyor components
Gravity conveyor brackets
Conveyor drip trays
Conveyor catch trays
Conveyor covers
Conveyor inspection panels
Chain tensioner brackets
Bearing plates for conveyors
Motor mounting plates for conveyors
Gearbox brackets for conveyors
Product stop brackets
Product guide plates
Product diverter plates
Product reject chutes
Transfer chutes
Hopper components
Feed hopper panels
Hopper frames
Hopper support brackets
Hopper lids
Hopper access panels
Hopper discharge plates
Chute components
Product chutes
Waste chutes
Transfer chutes
Collection bins
Product collection trays
Scrap trays
Waste collection trays
Swarf trays
Drip trays
Oil trays
Catch trays
Spill trays
Machine sumps
Coolant trays
Assembly machine components
Assembly station panels
Assembly station frames
Assembly table components
Assembly jig plates
Assembly fixture plates
Locating plates
Clamp plates
Jig brackets
Fixture brackets
Tooling plates
Inspection fixture components
Gauge plates
Drill templates
Assembly templates
Alignment plates
Positioning brackets
Poka-yoke fixture components
Robot mounting plates
Robot pedestal components
Robot base plates
Robot cell panels
Robot cell guards
Robot cell access doors
Robot controller brackets
Robot cable brackets
End-of-arm tooling plates
Gripper mounting plates
Gripper finger blanks
Pneumatic gripper brackets
Vacuum gripper plates
Pick-and-place machine components
Pick-and-place frames
Pick-and-place head plates
Pick-and-place mounting brackets
Automated handling equipment
Material handling frames
Transfer system components
Indexing machine components
Rotary table mounting plates
Turntable components
Linear transfer components
Shuttle system plates
Gantry automation components
Cartesian robot brackets
Linear actuator frames
Pallet handling equipment
Pallet stop brackets
Pallet lift components
Pallet positioning plates
Packing machine components
Cartoning machine components
Bagging equipment
Bagging machine panels
Bagging machine guards
Wrapping machine components
Flow wrapper components
Shrink wrapping machine panels
Sealing machine components
Filling machine components
Dosing machine components
Capping machine brackets
Labelling machine components
Labelling machine panels
Label reel brackets
Label applicator mounting plates
Printing machinery components
Print head brackets
Printer frame components
Print unit guards
Ink system mounting brackets
Coding equipment brackets
Laser marking machine panels
Engraving machine enclosures
Paper processing machinery
Envelope manufacturing machinery
Paper feed machine components
Roller mounting plates
Paper guide plates
Paper stacker components
Folding machinery components
Guillotine machine guards
Cutting machine components
Shearing equipment
Shearing machine panels
Shear guards
Blade support components
Feed table components
Lathe components
Lathe guards
Lathe splashbacks
Lathe chip trays
Lathe control panels
Lathe access panels
Lathe machine bases
Chuck guard brackets
CNC machine panels
CNC machine guards
CNC machine enclosures
Milling machine panels
Milling machine guards
Drilling machine components
Grinding machine guards
Grinding machine covers
Workshop machinery panels
Machine tool enclosures
Machine tool coolant trays
Machine tool swarf trays
Rebuilding machinery components
Replacement machine panels
Replacement machine guards
Replacement brackets
Repair plates
Obsolete machinery components
Retrofit control panels
Retrofit equipment brackets
Conversion plates
Adapter plates
Upgrade brackets
Machine refurbishment panels
Machinery modification components
Microwave filtering equipment
RF equipment enclosures
Filter mounting plates
Electromagnetic shielding panels
Screening enclosures
Electronics equipment chassis
Laboratory machine components
Scientific equipment panels
Medical analysis equipment components
Diagnostic machine panels
Laboratory instrument brackets
Test equipment frames
Analysis machine enclosures
Sample handling machine components
Laboratory automation components
Precision instrument mounting plates
Cooling equipment components
Fan housings
Fan guards
Fan mounting plates
Fan shrouds
Blower brackets
Ventilation panels
Cooling grilles
Heat exchanger panels
Radiator mounting plates
Air handling equipment brackets
HVAC equipment panels
Extraction equipment components
Ducting brackets
Filter housings
Filter mounting frames
Heat recovery equipment
Heat recovery unit panels
Heat recovery unit frames
Heat exchanger support plates
Ventilation equipment enclosures
Scissor lift components
Scissor arm blanks
Scissor lift platform components
Scissor lift base plates
Scissor lift brackets
Scissor lift guard components
Scissor lift control box panels
Lifting equipment components
Hoist mounting plates
Winch mounting plates
Lifting frame components
Lifting beam plates
Lifting lug plates
Crane equipment brackets
Jib mounting plates
Chain hoist brackets
Material lift components
Goods lift panels
Lift platform components
Platform lift brackets
Hydraulic lift brackets
Mast lift components
Custom workstations
Operator workstations
Machine workstations
Industrial benches
Tooling benches
Workstation frames
Workstation shelves
Workstation drawers
Tool panels
Shadow board panels
Keyboard trays
Monitor mounts
HMI stands
Operator pedestal components
Control desk panels
Coal industry machinery components
Energy industry equipment
Power generation equipment brackets
Burner system components
Combustion equipment panels
Fuel handling equipment components
Ash handling equipment
Coal handling conveyor components
Industrial furnace panels
Boiler equipment brackets
Steam equipment components
Heat recovery equipment
Energy plant access panels
Biomass machinery components
Pellet handling machinery
Fuel feed hopper components
Renewable energy equipment brackets
Cellar equipment
Brewery equipment
Brewery tank brackets
Brewing machine frames
Brewing equipment panels
Fermentation equipment brackets
Keg handling equipment
Bottle handling machinery
Can handling machinery
Brewery conveyor components
Brewery drip trays
Brewery work platforms
Pump mounting plates
Brewery pipe support brackets
Recycling plant equipment
Recycling machinery panels
Recycling machine guards
Sorting machinery components
Trommel components
Shredder panels
Shredder guards
Shredder hopper components
Crusher components
Crusher guards
Compactor components
Baler components
Baler panels
Baler guards
Waste conveyor components
Waste sorting chutes
Recycling bins
Magnetic separator brackets
Eddy current separator panels
Screening machine components
Vibratory equipment brackets
Environmental machinery components
Water treatment machinery
Pump skid components
Filter equipment panels
Separation equipment brackets
Dewatering machine components
Centrifuge equipment panels
Process equipment frames
Agricultural machinery components
Food machinery components
Packaging machinery components
Pharmaceutical equipment panels
Cosmetics manufacturing machinery
Chemical process machinery components
Plastics processing machine panels
Extrusion machinery components
Moulding machine guards
Textile machinery panels
Woodworking machinery components
Saw guards
Dust extraction equipment
Joinery machine panels
Furniture manufacturing equipment
Automotive production machinery
Automotive assembly fixtures
Welding automation equipment
Spot welding machine components
Laser welding machine components
Inspection machine components
End-of-line test equipment
Leak test machine panels
Pressure test rigs
Functional test equipment
Calibration machine components
Torque test rigs
Load test machine components
Machine test frames
Test rig base plates
Prototype machinery components
Development machine panels
Prototype guards
Prototype brackets
Trial machine frames
Research equipment components
Proof-of-concept machine parts
Pre-production machine components
Low-volume machinery components
Repeat production machine panels
Repeat production brackets
Repeat production guards
Spare parts
Maintenance components
Service replacement panels
OEM replacement components
Machine upgrade components
Machinery retrofit parts

Machine Panels, Guards and Enclosures

One of the most visible uses of sheet metal within machinery is the external enclosure.

Panels and guards protect operators from moving equipment while also protecting sensitive machinery from dirt, debris and accidental damage.

Typical components can include:

Side panels
Doors
Rear panels
Roof panels
Covers
Inspection panels
Guarding
Control enclosures
Access hatches

Laser cutting enables cut-outs for controls, vents, switches, cable entries and inspection windows to be incorporated directly into each panel.

Panels can then be CNC folded to create rigid enclosures ready for assembly.

Machine Frames and Structural Components

Sheet and plate components are also widely used within machine structures.

Examples include:

Base plates
Gussets
Braces
Motor plates
Bearing plates
Support brackets
Reinforcement plates
Cross members
Equipment mounting plates

These parts may be relatively simple in appearance, but dimensional accuracy is often critical because multiple machine systems eventually need to align with one another.

Laser cutting allows locating holes, slots and reference features to be incorporated directly into the component.

Automation and Robotics

Automated machinery often contains a particularly large number of unique sheet metal components.

Sensors, actuators, cameras, robots, conveyors and controls all need to be mounted accurately within the overall machine.

We can manufacture components for:

Robotic cells
Pick-and-place systems
Automated assembly machines
Vision inspection systems
Pallet handling equipment
Packing machinery
Material handling systems
Special-purpose automation

Typical parts include sensor brackets, robot base plates, actuator brackets, guarding, control panels and equipment mounting plates.

Because many components are unique within a machine, laser cutting provides an efficient manufacturing method without requiring dedicated tooling for each individual part.

Conveyor Systems

Conveyors are used across manufacturing, food processing, warehousing, packaging and numerous other industries.

We can manufacture components for:

Belt conveyors
Chain conveyors
Friction conveyors
Roller conveyors
Pallet conveyors
Product transfer systems

Typical parts include:

Conveyor side plates
Support brackets
Guide plates
Motor plates
Bearing plates
Guarding
Drip trays
Product stops
Transfer plates

Both prototype and repeat components can be supplied.

Machine Tool Manufacturing

We have experience supporting manufacturers of machine tools and associated workshop equipment.

Components may be used within:

Lathes
Milling machines
Drilling equipment
Grinding machines
Cutting machines
Shearing equipment
Specialist CNC machinery

Sheet metal is extensively used for machine guards, splash panels, chip trays, access doors, control panels and machine bases.

More substantial laser cut plate components can also be used for motor mounts, brackets, support plates and machine frames.

Food and Packaging Machinery

Food processing and packaging machinery represents a significant area of machine manufacturing.

We have produced components for machinery including:

Cut and wrap equipment
Confectionery machinery
Belt coaters
Bagging machines
Filling equipment
Packing machinery
Conveyors
Labelling machinery

These applications often involve large numbers of stainless steel panels, brackets, guards, trays and product transfer components.

Where required, we can manufacture in grades such as 304 and 316 stainless steel according to the customer specification.

Printing, Labelling and Paper Processing Machinery

Sheet metal components are widely used within machinery designed to process paper, envelopes, labels and packaging materials.

Typical applications can include:

Feed mechanisms
Print units
Roller assemblies
Paper guides
Machine panels
Safety guards
Control enclosures
Equipment mounting brackets

Because these machines can contain numerous rollers, sensors and adjustment mechanisms, accurate positioning of mounting features is particularly important.

Scientific, Medical and Analytical Equipment

Machine manufacturing can also include highly specialised scientific and analytical equipment.

Sheet metal components may be used to create:

Equipment chassis
Instrument panels
Electronics enclosures
Internal mounting plates
Sensor brackets
Sample handling equipment
Guarding
Test rig components

These applications may require stainless steel or aluminium in addition to conventional mild steel.

Where tighter tolerances or specialist manufacturing requirements apply, these can be defined on the customer’s engineering drawings.

Lifting and Access Equipment

Manufacturers of lifting and access systems require a mixture of sheet and plate components.

Applications can include:

Scissor lifts
Goods lifts
Platform lifts
Hoists
Winches
Elevating equipment
Maintenance platforms

Laser cut components may form mounting brackets, base plates, control box panels, guards, platforms and reinforcement plates.

Safety-critical design requirements remain the responsibility of the equipment designer, while components can be manufactured accurately to the supplied specification.

Heat Recovery, Cooling and Ventilation Equipment

Equipment used to control air, heat and ventilation can contain substantial amounts of sheet metal.

Typical components include:

Fan housings
Fan guards
Heat exchanger panels
Filter frames
Duct connections
Access panels
Equipment enclosures
Motor mounting plates
Ventilation grilles

Folded sheet metal provides a lightweight and efficient method of creating relatively large equipment housings and air-handling structures.

Brewery and Cellar Equipment

Brewing, drinks manufacture and cellar systems can require machinery for pumping, filling, conveying, cleaning and handling containers.

We can manufacture components including:

Equipment frames
Pump brackets
Conveyor parts
Drip trays
Tank supports
Bottle handling brackets
Keg handling components
Control panel enclosures
Machine guarding

Stainless steel is commonly used throughout these environments because of its corrosion resistance and suitability for regular cleaning.

Recycling and Waste Processing Machinery

Recycling plants use demanding machinery designed to sort, convey, crush, shred and compact different materials.

Typical components can include:

Heavy-duty guards
Machine panels
Hopper components
Conveyor plates
Chutes
Wear plates
Support brackets
Motor plates
Access covers
Equipment frames

These environments can place significant demands on machinery, making replacement and maintenance components particularly important throughout the equipment’s working life.

Components for Subsequent Machining

Not every laser cut component leaves our factory as a finished part.

Many machinery manufacturers use laser cut profiles as blanks for subsequent machining.

Examples include:

Bearing plates
Motor plates
Gearbox plates
Flange blanks
Adapter plates
Tooling plates
Fixture plates
Machine base plates
Linkage components

Using laser cutting to remove the bulk of unwanted material can reduce the amount of time subsequently required on a milling machine or machining centre.

Where necessary, machining allowance can be incorporated into the profile according to the customer’s drawing.

Prototypes and Machine Development

Machine builders frequently develop equipment specifically around an individual customer’s production requirements.

As a result, the first machine may contain components that are revised several times during development.

Laser cutting is well suited to prototype machinery because no dedicated profile tooling is required.

A bracket, panel or mounting plate can be modified digitally and a revised version manufactured without changing the fundamental production process.

Once the design is established, the same drawings can then be used for repeat machines.

Machinery Rebuilds, Repairs and Retrofits

Industrial machinery can remain operational for decades.

During that time, original components may become damaged, obsolete or unavailable from the OEM.

We can manufacture replacement and modification parts such as:

Guards
Panels
Covers
Brackets
Mounting plates
Adapter plates
Control panels
Repair plates

This can support machinery rebuilds, upgrades, retrofits and general maintenance.

It can also allow modern controls, sensors or equipment to be fitted to machinery that was never originally designed to accept them.

Jigs, Fixtures and Manufacturing Equipment

Many machine manufacturers also require equipment to help assemble the machines themselves.

Laser cut components can be used in:

Welding jigs
Assembly fixtures
Inspection fixtures
Setting tools
Drilling templates
Alignment fixtures
Test rigs
Production tooling

Locating holes, slots and tabs can be built directly into the laser cut design to simplify assembly and improve repeatability.

Materials for Machinery Manufacturing

Machinery manufacturers use a broad range of sheet and plate materials depending on the component.

Common materials include:

Mild steel
Structural steel grades
Galvanised steel
Zintec
Stainless steel
Aluminium

Mild steel is widely used for machine frames, brackets, guards and general-purpose components.

Stainless steel is particularly common in food, pharmaceutical, chemical and wet-process machinery.

Aluminium can provide a useful lightweight option for panels, enclosures and moving components.

Material thicknesses can range from thin sheet used for guarding and covers through to considerably heavier plate for machine bases and heavily loaded brackets.

Laser Cutting, Folding and Additional Processes

A machine may require dozens or even hundreds of individual sheet metal components.

Depending on the project, Yorkshire Profiles can provide:

CNC laser cutting
CNC press brake folding
Drilling
Tapping
Countersinking
Deburring
Welding and fabrication
Powder coating
Surface finishing
Prototype manufacture
Repeat production

Using digital drawings throughout the manufacturing process makes it practical to produce large families of different components within the same machine build.

From One-Off Prototype Machines to Repeat OEM Production

The machine manufacturing sector is extremely diverse.

One project might involve a single bracket for a prototype machine, while another could require complete sets of panels, frames and mounting components for equipment manufactured repeatedly throughout the year.

Whether you manufacture:

Industrial machinery
Automation systems
Conveyor equipment
Food machinery
Packaging machinery
Machine tools
Lifting equipment
Scientific equipment
Recycling machinery
Process equipment
Special-purpose machines

Yorkshire Profiles can support your sheet metal requirements.

From prototype equipment and development components through to repeat OEM production, replacement parts and machinery rebuilds, call us on 01904 737095 to discuss your requirements.

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