At BTS, we offer a range of products – from cladding to fabrications and rainscreen, but perhaps our most favorite offering is our bespoke fabrications service.
Essentially, this means we produce exactly what our customers want, in our case, usually from aluminum or steel. The benefit? Well, A product which is totally unique and fit for purpose which can be used for aesthetical or practical purposes.
Sometimes our ‘standard’ products don’t quite fit the bill, in which case, we would always guide our customers down the bespoke fabrications route – let’s talk you through how it works…
Getting started
All the paperwork and details of the project are initially sent to our team from the customer, and depending on how complex the job is, our technical team get involved and work alongside the customer and architects to ensure we can make the magic happen.
Once both sides are happy, our sales team come into play – they confirm everything is accurately priced which is then sent back over to the customer ready for approval.
When the project is signed off, it’s go-time – the job is now passed around the table at our ‘handshake meeting’ which happens each morning. Team representatives from design, production, engineering, and transport each catch up and look through active jobs, it’s a great way to guarantee everyone is on the same page, and each department has all the information required.
At the start, our team have regular catch-ups and phone calls with the customer, to iron out any queries or missing information we need to make a start – precision is key, after all.
Bring the vision to life
Next stop, our design office – our strong team of five are trained up on a 3D design software called SolidWorks, we use this to help visualise the concepts. Once mocked up and the parts have been designed in 3D, we virtually assemble them to guarantee the design is accurate and streamline.
SolidWorks is a fantastic problem-finding tool, as any issues with the design can be detected and resolved at this early stage, before all the details are passed onto production.
The middleman
Our engineering department acts as a middleman between design and production. It’s this team’s responsibility to decide which machines are best suited for the products. The team works alongside the production manager to put a strict plan in place so everything runs smoothly.
We do rely heavily on automation, it’s a great way to guarantee precision, therefore we use a combination of Sigma Nest, StreamPunch and TechZone Bend to program our computer-controlled cutting machine and create the unique goods.
The best part
Then, it’s up to the team on the factory floor to precision manufacture the customer’s bespoke products.
More often than not, our high-end Trumf or Salvagnini punches take centre stage, accurately punching the materials to dimensions dialed in by our specialist team of engineers. Sometimes, if the customer needs flat parts, the products are good to go. Otherwise, it’s off our Press Brakes or panel bender to be folded into shape.
Finally, it’s up to our fabrications department to add the finishing touches, before the products are sent to the painters – then, it’s time for delivery.
Quality, quality, quality
Throughout the whole process several quality checks are carried out: from quantities, to parts, materials and spot checks within the punching, press, fabrication line and paint – the team are constantly looking out for accuracy and quality.
During the full process, the customer is leased with for updates on the project, so they’re in-the-know of the progress we’re making.
Job well done
Finally, it’s time for the products the BTS team have carefully crafted to be assembled on a building somewhere across the country, ready to be admired from passersby.
To find out more about our bespoke fabrications, click here.
