Aerospace manufacturing demands precision, consistency and control at every stage of production. Components need to be manufactured accurately to specification, while the processes behind them must deliver the repeatability expected within demanding engineering supply chains.
Wrightform provides a comprehensive range of UK subcontract metal engineering services including laser cutting, metal flattening and de-stressing, folding, deburring, edge rounding, finishing, welding and fabrication.
From individual components and prototypes through to repeat production and multi-process manufacturing, we can support aerospace manufacturers, engineering companies and their supply-chain partners with accurately manufactured metal components.
Precision Metalwork for Aerospace Applications
Aerospace encompasses a broad range of manufacturing requirements, from aircraft production and maintenance to ground-support equipment, specialist machinery, testing equipment and the wider aerospace supply chain.
Wrightform’s flexible subcontract capabilities allow us to manufacture components to customer drawings and specifications, while combining several processes where required.
Precision Components
Our laser cutting and forming capabilities can produce accurately manufactured brackets, plates, panels, supports, covers and other sheet-metal components.
Modern fibre laser technology provides high levels of cutting accuracy across stainless steel, mild steel and aluminium, with components able to progress directly into subsequent Wrightform processes where required. Wrightform’s current laser capability includes stainless and mild steel up to 25mm and aluminium up to 12mm.
Panels, Covers & Enclosures
Aerospace equipment frequently requires sheet-metal panels, covers, housings and enclosures where dimensional consistency, edge quality and surface finish can all be important.
Components can be laser cut, levelled, deburred and folded before moving into fabrication or being supplied to the customer for further manufacturing.
Ground Support & Specialist Equipment
The aerospace sector extends well beyond components used directly on an aircraft.
Wrightform’s manufacturing capabilities can support manufacturers of ground-support equipment, handling systems, maintenance equipment, test equipment, tooling and specialist machinery, where robust, accurately manufactured metal components are required.
Repeat & Multi-Process Manufacturing
Where components are required repeatedly, consistency between batches becomes increasingly important.
Wrightform can undertake individual processes or take components through several manufacturing stages, helping customers consolidate their subcontract supply chain while maintaining control over component specifications.
Why Flat, Stable Metal Matters in Aerospace Manufacturing
Precision manufacturing starts with the condition of the material.
Sheet and plate can contain residual stresses from the original material production or from subsequent processes such as laser cutting and punching. These stresses can become apparent during forming, machining, welding or assembly, causing components to bow, twist or move.
Wrightform’s large-format industrial metal levelling capability can improve flatness and reduce internal stresses before components continue through production.
Starting with flatter, more stable material can help provide:
- More predictable bending and forming
- Improved dimensional consistency
- Better component fit-up
- Greater stability during subsequent processing
- Reduced adjustment and rework
- More consistent repeat production
For manufacturers working to demanding tolerances, improving the condition of the material before the next manufacturing operation can make subsequent processes considerably more predictable.
From Flat Sheet to Finished Component
One of Wrightform’s strengths is the ability to provide more than a single subcontract process.
LASER CUT → FLATTEN & DE-STRESS → DEBURR → FORM → WELD → FINISH → FABRICATE
An aerospace manufacturer may only need Wrightform for one specialist operation. Alternatively, we can take a component through several stages before returning it as a finished or part-finished item ready for the customer’s next process.
This integrated approach can help reduce unnecessary transportation and handling between subcontractors while providing greater continuity throughout manufacture.
Quality Assurance for Demanding Supply Chains
For aerospace manufacturers and their supply-chain partners, selecting a subcontract manufacturer isn’t simply about whether they have the right machinery. Quality management, process control, environmental responsibility and safe working practices can all form part of supplier assessment.
Wrightform operates independently certified management systems that provide additional assurance behind our manufacturing capabilities.
ISO 9001 – Quality Management
Our ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System supports controlled, consistent and continually improving processes, providing independent assurance of the quality-management framework behind the work we undertake.
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
Our environmental management certification provides a structured framework for managing environmental responsibilities and the impact of our manufacturing operations.
ISO 45001 – Health & Safety Management
ISO 45001 provides a systematic framework for managing occupational health and safety risks throughout our manufacturing activities.
EN 1090 – Execution Class 2
For applicable structural work, Wrightform’s EN 1090 Factory Production Control certification covers preparation of steel for structural purposes, including laser cutting, folding and edge radiusing.
Together, these certifications provide independently assessed assurance around the systems supporting Wrightform’s subcontract manufacturing operations.
“Precision starts with the component. Confidence comes from the processes behind it.”
Aerospace Metal Manufacturing Capabilities
Laser Cutting
Precision fibre laser cutting for accurately manufactured sheet-metal components and repeat production requirements.
Metal Flattening & De-Stressing
Industrial roller levelling to improve material flatness and stability before subsequent manufacturing operations.
Folding & Forming
Controlled press-brake forming to manufacture components accurately to customer drawings and specifications.
Deburring & Edge Rounding
Removal of burrs and controlled edge radiusing to produce consistent components ready for subsequent manufacturing.
Metal Finishing
Bead blasting, vibratory finishing, polishing and other processes to achieve the required component finish.
Welding & Fabrication
Fabrication and part assembly allowing components to progress through multiple manufacturing stages at Wrightform.
FAQs – Aerospace Metal Engineering
What metal manufacturing services can Wrightform provide for aerospace companies?
Wrightform provides subcontract laser cutting, metal flattening and de-stressing, folding, forming, deburring, edge rounding, finishing, welding and fabrication. Customers can use an individual process or combine several operations as part of a multi-process manufacturing requirement.
What materials can Wrightform process for aerospace applications?
Wrightform processes a range of metals including stainless steel, mild steel and aluminium, with the appropriate manufacturing processes selected according to the material, thickness, component geometry and customer specification.
Can Wrightform manufacture repeat aerospace components?
Yes. Our manufacturing capabilities can support prototypes, small batches and repeat production requirements, with components manufactured to customer-supplied drawings and specifications.
Why is metal flatness important for aerospace manufacturing?
Distortion and residual stress can affect subsequent operations including bending, machining, welding and assembly. Industrial roller levelling can improve flatness and material stability, helping subsequent manufacturing processes become more predictable.
Can Wrightform undertake several processes on the same component?
Yes. Components can progress through processes including laser cutting, flattening, deburring, forming, finishing, welding and fabrication, depending on the customer’s requirements.
What quality certifications does Wrightform hold?
Wrightform operates management systems certified to ISO 9001 for Quality Management, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management and ISO 45001 for Occupational Health & Safety, alongside EN 1090 Execution Class 2 certification for applicable structural work.
These certifications provide independent assurance around the management systems and controls supporting our manufacturing operations.
Is Wrightform AS9100 / EN 9100 certified?
No. Wrightform is currently ISO 9001 certified rather than EN/AS 9100 certified. ISO 9001 provides an internationally recognised quality-management framework behind our manufacturing operations. Customers with aerospace-specific certification, documentation, inspection or traceability requirements should discuss these with our team at quotation stage so we can establish whether Wrightform can meet the requirements of the particular project.
Why Aerospace Manufacturers Choose Wrightform
Precision Manufacturing
Investment in modern laser cutting, levelling, forming and finishing technology gives us the capability to manufacture accurate components across a wide range of requirements.
Quality-Controlled Processes
ISO 9001 and our wider management-system certifications provide independent assurance around the systems supporting our manufacturing operations.
Multiple Processes In-House
Combining cutting, flattening, deburring, forming, finishing and fabrication can reduce the number of subcontract suppliers involved in producing a component.
Flexible Manufacturing
From one-off components and prototypes to repeat production and part-assembled work, Wrightform can adapt its involvement around the customer’s manufacturing requirements.
Looking for a UK subcontract manufacturer for aerospace components?
Talk to Wrightform about your drawings, specifications and supplier requirements.