Capabilities

Our ongoing investment in the latest state-of-the-art equipment, process and people allow us to leverage a multitude of technologies to offer world leading products.

Specialist Fabrications

Specialist Fabrications

We are experts in manufacture of specialist fabrications produced from high grade material. We utilise our range of advanced fabrication techniques processes to deliver the best products to our customers. These include laser cutting, CNC sheet bending, sheet rolling, seam welding, orbital welding, tube bending and end forming, hydroforming along with, precision welding and Poka Yoke jigging techniques to ensure repeatable and efficient manufacture. If desired we can use NDT techniques to verify all welds are in accordance with the specification.


Heat Treatment

During the fabrication and machining processes often assemblies are left with internal residual stresses. To alleviate these stresses SST Technology processes many components through a heat treatment cycle. The heat cycle itself can vary depending upon the specification.  SST Technology can offer advice on appropriate specifications as required.

"We are experts in manufacture of specialist fabrications produced from high grade material."

Tube Manufacture

To ensure we are not limited to off the shelf tubing we take flat sheet material and form into tubes with automated seam welding equipment. We can form up to approximately 500mm dia tubes and 450mm in a single length.

 

Recent additions to SST Technology’s capabilities include a Unison Breeze 130mm Multi-stack CNC Tube Bender. This is electronically controlled for precise manipulation and can bend a diameter range of between 25-130mm up to 5.7m in length. Integrated with this tube bender is laser inspection verification and tube spring back correction which ensures every part is 100% conforming to drawing. Products made using this equipment include complete gas and fluid pipework assemblies, tubular chassis frames, civil applications, marine and aerospace pipework to name a few.

"We are not limited to off the shelf tubing."

CNC Tube Bending

Recent addition to SST Technology‘s capabilities includes a Unison Breeze 130mm Multi-stack CNC Tube Bender. This is electronically controlled for precise manipulation and can bend a diameter range of between 25-130mm up to 5.7m in length. Integrated with this tube bender is laser inspection verification and tube spring back correction which ensures every part is 100% conforming to drawing. Products made using this equipment include complete gas and fluid pipework assemblies, tubular chassis frames, civil applications, marine and aerospace pipework to name a few.

 

This capability is complemented by SST Technology’s MEWAG tube benders and our Silkmead tube bender for smaller parts. This range of machines gives SST Technology the capability and flexibility to make parts ranging from 1-off assemblies through to volume production.

"Products made using this equipment include complete gas and fluid pipework assemblies, tubular chassis frames, civil applications, marine and aerospace pipework to name a few."

Precision TIG Welding

SST Technology only employs the very best coded welding personnel all of whom are subjected to rigorous trade tests and continuous training. TIG welding is the most commonly used technique but the business also commonly uses MIG and resistance welding.

 

Production work is also supported by automated welding processes which removes operator dependency and means we can achieve a more competitive cost base.

"SST Technology only employs the very best coded welding personnel all of whom are subjected to rigorous trade tests and continuous training"

Six-Axis 3D Laser Cutting

SST Technology’s Trumpf 6-Axis 3KW Laser Cutter is used extensively within the manufacture of a wide range of products and enables greater design and manufacturing flexibility. Capable of working in 6 axis the machine is used to process tubes, flat sheet and true 3-dimensional forms. SST Technology has been able to remove time consuming fabrication techniques and ensure precise assembly. It also means features not normally possible can be incorporated into the design from the outset.

 

The laser cutting machine is capable of cutting within an envelope of L-3000 x W-1500 x D-500mm and thicknesses up to 15mm. The machine can process Stainless, Inconel, Titanium, Aluminium and Mild Steel materials amongst others.

"...features not normally possible can be incorporated into the design from the outset."

Press Forming

Press forming techniques are used extensively to create a variety of geometric forms.

 

Tooling is developed in house as it is integral to the quality of the form. The business has multiple presses which can be selected depending upon the pressing form.

"Press forming techniques are used extensively to create a variety of geometric forms."

Hydroforming

To complement more conventional fabrication techniques, SST Technology has developed a capability to hydroform specific products and features. By using in-house developed tooling, high and low pressure techniques the business has been able to create features in products which are otherwise costly or difficult to manufacture. Additional benefits include preferential alignment of the material grain structure which improves performance and fatigue resistance. Now utilised in multiple applications SST Technology is helping to differentiate itself through this material forming technique.


SST Technology HydroLite® Rapid Forming Process

 As part of our ongoing culture of innovative product and process development, SST Technology introduce the HydroLite® forming process. Hydroforming provides a fast and accurate way of forming complex shapes in fabricated structures, but historically the long-held thoughts are that hydroforming can be an expensive and costly manufacturing option, that can only be considered for high volume manufacturing with long lead times.  SST Technology have developed the HydroLite® process as a robust means of carrying out hydroforming in vastly reduced lead times and tooling costs, allowing the process to be considered for development and prototyping. This not only allows what may be production representative processes to be carried out and validated early in a product’s development cycle, but also opens up the opportunity for hydroforming to be used in low-volume fabrication, improving consistency and quality, and reducing fabrication costs and lead times, making it an ideal process for the Motorsport Industry.

A summary of the key benefits are as follows:


  • Low tooling costs and short lead times (2-3 weeks), allowing the process to be economically viable for small volumes and short lead times.
  • Semi-automated process.
  • Accurate and repeatable thickness control through in-house design simulation.
  • Accurate repeatability of complex forms, enabling designers to incorporate more complex shapes with confidence.
  • Improved quality control and reduced investment in fabrication jigs.
  • Ability to process exotic alloys such as Inconel, Titanium and Stainless steel, from simple or complex pre-forms.
  • Combined with SST Technology‘s 6-axis laser cutting capability allow highly accurate “ready-to-weld” pre-forms to be supplied into our fabrication department.

 

With this capability, SST Technology can work further with our customers as an engineering partner to develop high performance precision fabrications, adding our design and process expertise, and enthusiasm to deliver the best possible solution, to support your design requirements.

"Now utilised in multiple applications SST Technology is helping to differentiate itself through this material forming technique."

Machining

Integral to SST Technology’s products are machined components and features. The business has a fast acting in house machine shop supporting both tooling and product requirements throughout the year. The business also has relationships with key external machining suppliers familiar with processing hard materials such as Inconel commonly used across our portfolio.

"The business has a fast acting in house machine shop supporting both tooling and product requirements throughout the year."

Additive Layer Manufacturing

When casting is not appropriate due to timing or perhaps geometry constraints, Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is employed by SST Technology in the manufacture of certain elements of an assembly.

 

We can produce DMLS components made from a range of materials including Inconel, Stainless Steel, Maraging Steel and Cobalt Chrome.

 

These parts can have complex geometry, thin wall and variable wall sections, and can be easily welded and integrated with conventional fabricated parts.

"We can produce DMLS components made from a range of materials including Inconel, Stainless Steel, Maraging Steel and Cobalt Chrome."

Laser & Orbital Welding

SST has a cutting edge Trumpf equipment including a Lasercell 3000. This 5 axis fibre laser equipment has a 2KW laser and vision tracking system meaning it can consistently track seams to ensure repeatable welds. This Laser welder is best suited to precise welding where it is necessary to minimise heat and often involves the welding of thin wall materials. The same equipment has an alternative cutting head, meaning precision laser cutting can also be undertaken to extremely tight tolerances.


When producing high integrity pipework for the most demanding environment including applications such as gas turbine engines, the pipe to pipe welding is a critical element. SST has Orbitec orbital welding equipment meaning it can perform repeatable semi automated high quality welding for a range of pipe sizes. This type of welding is also used in the manufacture of pipework for installations into processing plants in industrial manufacturing and FMCGs.


Once our highly skilled welders have established the correct welding sequences and procedures for our new products, SST then has the opportunity to transfer those repeatable projects to our CoBot welding cell. This centres around a semi automated robotic welding arm which the technician teaches to follow a prescribed welding sequence. SST develops the associated fixtures all in house which means if there is a candidate part and it fits with the capabilities it can be transferred to the CoBot welding cell in a matter of weeks, removing cost, improving consistency and productivity.

"SST has Orbitec orbital welding equipment meaning it can perform repeatable semi automated high quality welding for a range of pipe sizes.."

Paint Shop

In addition to specialising in the design, development and manufacture of composite technology for advanced engineering applications Lentus also has its own in-house paintshop. 

The 7×4 metre STL spray booth has LED lighting 4000 Lux. The STL AquaDry air agitation system can assist curing and increase efficiency. There are also controlled areas for paint mixing, preparation, polishing and inspection le 4 Accent.


The highly qualified team has vast experience in automotive manufacturing, military, motorsport, medical and aerospace coatings which enables them to identify new opportunities and applications for industry specific products and processes.

"Our highly qualified team has vast experience in automotive manufacturing, military, motorsport, medical and aerospace coatings."

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