// connected fabrication · andover
From drawing to finished part.
One responsive team controls seven connected processes: design support, fibre laser cutting, operator-led press-brake bending, tapping and countersinking, fitted hardware and riveting, welding, powder coating and inspection.
Choose a process
Each guide explains what we offer in-house, when the process makes sense, and the practical design decisions that help parts manufacture cleanly.
CAD & design support
Turn a sketch, sample or model into an approved, manufacturable part.
Design guidance ↗
Fibre laser cutting
Accurate flat profiles with no dedicated tooling, from one-off to batch.
Laser cutting guide ↗
Press-brake bending
Three Bystronic presses for flexible operator-led forming, with one robot for suitable high-volume repeat parts.
Bending guide ↗
Tapping & countersinking
Add clean threads and flush fastener seats after cutting and before assembly.
Machining guide ↗
Fixings & hardware
Press-fit inserts, rivet nuts, blind riveting, studs and captive hardware.
Fixings guide ↗
Welding & assembly
MIG and TIG fabrication in mild steel, stainless and aluminium.
Welding guide ↗
Powder coating
A durable, consistent finish applied before final inspection and dispatch.
Finishing guide ↗
One connected route
Use one process or let the same team carry the job all the way through, with fewer handovers and one point of accountability.
Brief & design review
Send DXF, DWG or STEP files, a dimensioned drawing, sketch or sample part. We check the route before manufacture.
Cut
Profiles are nested and fibre-laser cut from stocked or customer-supplied material.
Form & assemble
Parts are press-brake formed, fitted with specified hardware, then welded or assembled as required.
Finish & inspect
Powder coated or mechanically finished, checked against the drawing, then collected or dispatched.
Technical overview
Useful starting figures for a fabricated job. We review material, geometry and drawing tolerances before confirming the route.
| Material | Common grades | Maximum thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Mild steel | CR4 cold-rolled · S275 hot-rolled | 20 mm |
| Stainless steel | 304 general · 316 marine / food | 20 mm |
| Aluminium | 1050 · 5251 · 5083 | 15 mm |
| Brass | CZ108 sheet | 10 mm |
At a glanceMaximum laser sheet size 2995 × 1495mm. No minimum quantity. Typical laser-profile tolerance is ±0.1–0.2mm; drawing-specific requirements are reviewed before cutting. First-off approval, material certificates and an inspection step can be agreed for production work.
What can we make for you?
The process guides explain how we manufacture. These project pages show how we combine those processes around different briefs.
Commercial & subcontract
One-offs, batches, scheduled supply and repeat production for trade and industry.
Explore commercial work ↗Prototypes & short runs
Prove fit, form and function in real metal before scaling the design.
Explore prototyping ↗Bespoke metalwork
Custom parts, features and assemblies made from a drawing, sample or idea.
Explore bespoke work ↗Gates & railings
Made-to-measure exterior metalwork, finished for long-term outdoor use.
Explore gates & railings ↗Only need flat parts cut? Use our sister service Andover Laser for an instant online cut-only quote. Stay with Hurstbourne Forge when the job also needs design support, forming, tapping, countersinking, fixings, welding, finishing or assembly.
Start with your drawing—or your idea
Tell us what the part must do, attach whatever you have, and we will recommend a practical material and manufacturing route before quoting.