MANUFACTURING AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

When you bring on a new partner into your manufacturing process, it’s critical that you choose wisely. Selecting your manufacturing partner directly impacts your business’s efficiency and effectiveness. Low-quality products made from inferior materials, late delivery, and expensive manufacturing outlay all negatively impact your business and can be fatal for your business. From design through to planning and execution, ISTEC provides the crucial support needed to provide high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective products. With an expert team to assist you from prototype to final product, ISTEC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities stretch across multiple industries. In whatever sector your business is involved, our metal fabrication, mould creation, plastics manufacturing, and roto moulding are suitable for you. In this article, our team discusses ISTEC’s wide range of manufacturing capabilities, illustrating our breadth of industry and process capabilities. Then, we’ll examine what sets ISTEC apart as the manufacturing partner of choice and discuss
how you can partner with us.

ISTEC's Manufacturing Capabilities By Industry

At ISTEC, our team of experts, outstanding capabilities, and custom manufacturing solutions offer a wealth of process-specific experience that can be applied across industries. At a high level, our services include product design and development, manufacturing, sourcing raw materials, and assistance in the assembly, warehousing, and logistics of your business. 

Below, we’ll explore our manufacturing capabilities and processes in detail so you can make an informed decision about our services.

Metal Fabrication

Metal fabrication is the process of transforming raw metal materials into finished products by cutting, bending, welding, and other assembly techniques.

The process begins with forging the raw metal, either with heated metal or forced compression. Next is casting, where molten metal is poured into a mould and cooled until it becomes solid. These casts can then be used to replicate the same item hundreds, if not thousands, of times, easing mass production for sectors such as small tools, building materials, and plumbing resources.

Drawing can also be utilised, whereby force is used to pull metal into a thinner shape, such as for use in boxes or cylinders. The metal can now be formed and bent to the desired shape and angle. Machining is the next step in the shaping process, removing unwanted material by drilling, turning, and milling.

For manufacturing needs that include piping or wiring, metal can be shaped into a cylindrical shape through a process called extrusion.

For versatile metal fabrication solutions, ISTEC also offers cutting, an intricate process where lasers and power scissors are used to ensure exacting cuts. Punching is also an option, creating holes in a piece, often used as part of a larger framework for furniture, car bodies, and aircraft.

Do you have specific questions about how our team can help you create your finished products through our metal fabrication process? Contact us here.

Mould Creation

A mould is commonly used to create finished products en masse. Mould creation involves creating a precisely shaped mould that is then used to shape raw materials. Critically, a successful mould is highly accurate, capturing all aspects of the final product with precise detail. A successful mould must also be extremely durable and able to produce many identical, mass-produced items with frequent re-use.

Our process includes four stages when creating moulds. The first part involves working closely with your design team to fully encapsulate the dimensions and design of your finished product and accurately capture its dimensions, composite parts, and complexity.

Then, our team considers your manufacturing process, designing a mould to create multiple component parts simultaneously or to be compatible with specific types of machinery. Also important is the type of resin or filler material the mould will be used with and the type of moulding process your business will use.

Finally, budgetary requirements are considered. Our team is interested in the mould’s longevity and expected production volumes at this stage. Cost-effective, less durable mould materials may be prioritised for lower production volumes. High-volume production methods may require durable materials that have a higher upfront cost but a lower per-unit cost over time.

For more information on mould creation and a tailored budgetary breakdown, contact ISTEC here.

Plastics Manufacturing

Plastic manufacturing is one of our most popular and sought-after processes for products worldwide. From small tools to furniture to car parts and components, plastic is used daily by millions of people and companies alike.

The most common methods of plastics manufacturing we rely on are injection and blow moulding techniques. Injection moulding involves using high-grade plastic materials we source directly from premium local suppliers. The process transforms molten plastic into its final shape by injecting a liquid polymer into a mould. This process is used to create everything from tiny beads for use in jewellery making to large components such as car bumpers.

Our dedicated team can show you how injection moulding can be used for manufacturing at high quantities and is a time-efficient process as many components are manufactured in a short period of time.

Blow moulding is similar to injection moulding, but differs in that air pressure is the driving force behind creating the mould shape, leaving the interior hollow, such as for use in the manufacturing of plastic bottles and cups, or other small tools.

With our experienced team and wide range of industry applications, the team at ISTEC can help you manufacture any product or component using plastic. Contact us here for more.

Roto Molding

Rotational moulding, or roto moulding, is an extremely effective way of producing many different kinds of components for use in manufacturing. This versatile method has been perfected by ISTEC, and our team provides this as a cost-effective process for companies to embrace in their production process.

In a nutshell, roto moulding relies on a tool that is rotated and heated in an oven, then carefully cooled. This allows the moulding process to comprise multiple layers, building complex structures in one moulding process. Roto moulding is incredibly versatile, meaning it’s a suitable choice to manufacture everything from hairbrushes to car dashboards, from military missile casings to dollhouse furniture.

The ability to produce these plastic components in simple or complex shapes lends itself well to many sectors’ manufacturing needs and could be an alternative solution to the traditional moulding processes listed above.

For more information on the roto moulding capabilities offered at ISTEC, contact our team of in-house specialists here.

Why Choose ISTEC?

While many businesses across the world offer manufacturing support, there are essential differences between us and them. In this section, we explore why ISTEC is the best manufacturing partner for your business.

Dedicated Account Manager

Our first port of call for every customer is our team of dedicated, in-house account managers who specialise in your industry. As soon as we start work on your project, we’ll assign you an account manager who will listen to your needs, learn about your company and project, and dig into your specific requirements. 

Then, they’ll liaise on your behalf with our production team, who input your project through our internal development system for validation and planning. By working with one single account manager, you’ll enjoy easy communication and collaboration, with the direct email address and contact information of a representative working on your behalf.

Continuous Innovation Processes

ISTEC is dedicated to providing innovative product development and design to our clients, the highest-quality custom manufacturing solutions, and customer satisfaction.

Innovation is our speciality, and in manufacturing, innovation is crucial. Continuous innovation can help you gain a competitive advantage, leading to faster turnaround times, reduced waste, improved product quality, and greater customer relationships. So you can take advantage of this, we work alongside you to provide efficient, flexible manufacturing solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Certified Manufacturing

With a certified manufacturing process that is compliant with the latest standards in British manufacturing, you can rest assured that ISTEC processes comply with EU, UK, and US regulations.

Learn more about ISTEC, our history, and our mission here.

Work With ISTEC on your Next Project

If you’re looking for a reliable manufacturing partner who offers a diverse range of versatile princesses and capabilities, ISTEC is your best choice. From metal and plastic fabrication to innovative new methodologies, our team of professionals offer a huge range of services and processes that suit any industry.

Contact ISTEC today to discuss how we can assist in manufacturing your product, taking it from ideation to realisation.