Manufacturing

At VSM, we tend to only work with proven, reliable, and well established manufacturers. Whilst quality is at the top of our agenda, our measurements also depend on ease of communication, logistics, flexibility and competitive pricing. It has taken us many years and many projects to now form a cluster of multiple reliable supply chain partners, in many areas of manufacturing capability, and on a global level.

We have a strict policy to ensure every partner we work with has ISO9001 standards as a minimum.

Here are some of the many processes we are familiar with (including tooling) and have worked on projects in those areas: –

Fiberglass – Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP)

Fibreglass is a strong lightweight material. Less brittle than carbon fiber, and the raw material is much cheaper. Its bulk strength and weight is also better than many metals, and it can easily be moulded into complex shapes. Tooling is also cheaper than most mould tools, and it can be processed in many gel coated colours with a smooth finish.

Main applications are in the aircraft, boating, vehicle and water tanks industry as surface panels. But it can also be applied to many other types of industries.

GRP manufacturing processes include – hand layup, vacuum moulding, pultrusion.

Plastics

Basically a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solid that is malleable. Relatively low cost, easy to mould and imperviousness to water. Often recyclable and lightweight, as well as being rigid. There are many types of common plastics used, popular ones being PET, PE, HDPE, PVC, PP, HIPS, NYLON, and ABS.

Plastics manufacturing processes include – Compression & Injection Moulding, and Extruding

Rubber (Natural & Synthetic)

Natural rubber is extracted from the bark of certain trees. Whereas Synthetic rubber is made from petroleum by-products. Like plastics, easy to mould, but a lot more flexible with elasticity properties. Most common forms used in manufacturing are natural rubber and EPDM. Best used for tyres, seals, gaskets, vibration mounts, bellows and stoppers amongst many other.

Rubber manufacturing processes include – Compression & Injection Moulding, and Extruding

Metalwork (Steel & Aluminium)

This needs no introduction. From structural to electrical conductivity and heat cooling, is used in a variety of applications. Our supply chain partners have all the latest in high tech equipment from laser cutting, water jet cutting, forming, punching, bending and coating treatments. From vehicle chassis, street furniture to cabinets. With latest software in 3D modelling, FEA analysis, there is not much that they cannot do or work on.

PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assemblies)

Printed Circuit Board Assemblies are used in a variety of products, from lighting, computing, data storage, powering and so on. Populated with a real estate of electrical components from Microchips, trigger coils to capacitors and resistors are just a few. The manufacturing of such products is in several layers, with stringent testing along the way and detail to accuracy and precision.

PCBA manufacturing processes include – THT (Through Hole Technology & SMT (Surface Mount Technology)

Wiring & Harness

Our supply chain partners are very experienced in manufacturing all forms of wiring, from simple end to end terminals, through to large looms and harnesses for chassis equipment. Whilst the product may look straight forward, it has to have a lot of considerations during development, from conductivity, copper strands, insulation, type of terminals, and method of crimping to final ‘rigorous’ testing. More and more new terminals are developed every day, and operate at multifunctional levels.