Welding is an essential part of many industries, with different welding techniques used depending on the material, application and finish required. At CBE+, we offer a range of welding processes to meet different project requirements, from precision engineering to heavy-duty fabrication.
Each welding method has its own advantages and is suited to particular tasks. Below is an overview of the four main types of welding.
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is a precise welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to create an electric arc. A filler rod can be added manually, while shielding gas, usually argon, protects the weld from contamination.
TIG welding is known for producing clean, strong and high-quality welds with an excellent finish. It offers precise control over heat input, making it particularly suitable for thin materials and projects where appearance and accuracy are important.
Common applications:
Stainless steel fabrication
Aluminium and aluminium alloys
Thin carbon steel
Aerospace components
Food and beverage pipework
Automotive fabrication
Key benefits:
High-quality, clean welds
Excellent precision and heat control
Minimal spatter
Ideal for thin materials
Smooth and attractive finish
TIG welding does require a high level of skill and is generally slower than other welding methods. It is also less suitable for dirty, rusty or contaminated surfaces.
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is a semi-automatic process that uses a continuously fed wire electrode and shielding gas to create strong, consistent welds. It is widely used due to its speed, efficiency and versatility.
MIG welding is suitable for a variety of materials, including mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. Its high productivity makes it particularly useful for larger fabrication projects and applications requiring long, continuous welds.
Common applications:
General metal fabrication
Automotive manufacturing
Structural steelwork
Shipbuilding
Workshop production
Industrial manufacturing
Key benefits:
Fast and efficient welding
Consistent weld quality
Suitable for a wide range of materials
Ideal for long weld runs
Easier to learn than TIG welding
Although MIG welding is highly productive, it is less precise than TIG welding and can produce more spatter. The use of shielding gas also makes it less suitable for exposed outdoor environments where wind can disrupt the gas protection.
Stick welding, also known as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), uses a flux-coated consumable electrode to create an electric arc and join metal components. The flux produces protective gases and slag during welding, removing the need for an external shielding gas.
This process is particularly suited to heavy-duty applications, construction and repair work, as it can be used in challenging environments and on certain less-than-perfect metal surfaces.
Common applications:
Construction and structural steelwork
Industrial maintenance
Equipment repairs
Heavy fabrication
Carbon steel welding
Low-alloy steel components
Key benefits:
Portable and straightforward equipment
Suitable for outdoor environments
No external shielding gas required
Effective on some rusty or dirty surfaces
Strong weld penetration
Stick welding is a reliable and versatile process, although it is generally slower than MIG welding. Electrodes need to be replaced regularly, and the slag produced during welding must be removed, which can increase finishing time.
Laser welding is a high-precision process that uses a concentrated laser beam to fuse metal components together. It is often automated or integrated with robotic systems, allowing for fast, accurate and repeatable results.
The concentrated heat source creates a small heat-affected zone, helping to minimise distortion and maintain the integrity of surrounding materials. Laser welding is particularly useful for applications requiring precision, consistency and high production volumes.
Common applications:
Automotive manufacturing
Medical device production
Electronics
Aerospace components
Stainless steel fabrication
Precision engineering
Key benefits:
High welding speeds
Excellent precision
Minimal heat distortion
Consistent, repeatable results
Suitable for automation
Clean weld finishes
Laser welding does have some limitations, including high equipment costs, the need for accurate joint preparation and reduced tolerance for gaps between components. It can also be restricted by material thickness and the specific requirements of the application.
Selecting the right welding technique depends on several factors, including the type of material, component thickness, required finish, production volume and working environment.
At CBE+, understanding these differences helps ensure that the appropriate welding process is used for each application, with consideration given to quality, efficiency, durability and the finished product’s requirements.
Whether a project requires the precision of TIG welding, the productivity of MIG welding, the versatility of Stick welding or the accuracy of Laser welding, each process offers distinct capabilities for different industrial and fabrication needs.
At CBE+, we use the Amada Ventis 3015 Auto-Loading Fibre Laser to deliver high-precision cutting, exceptional edge quality and efficient turnaround times. This advanced technology allows us to produce complex components to exact specifications, meeting the demands of a wide range of industries and applications.
Featuring Amada’s innovative LBC (Locus Beam Control) technology, the Ventis delivers accurate, clean cuts across a variety of materials, including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass and copper, with minimal burrs and reduced need for secondary finishing.
The integrated automated loading system enables us to handle high-volume production efficiently, reducing downtime, improving productivity and helping us meet demanding delivery schedules without compromising on quality.
Accreditations
ISO 9001:2015
Wide range of materials: Precision cutting of stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass and copper.
Large sheet capacity: Optimised for standard sheet sizes of 3000 mm × 1500 mm.
Automated loading: Efficient material handling for consistent, high-volume production.
Advanced laser technology: LBC beam modulation for intricate designs, clean edges and reduced dross.
Improved efficiency: Minimised downtime and reduced requirements for secondary finishing.
Whether you require intricate components, bespoke fabrication or high-volume production, our Amada Ventis fibre laser allows us to deliver accuracy, consistency and quality across every project.
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At CBE+, we invest in advanced bending and folding technology to deliver precision, consistency and efficiency across a wide range of components. Our modern Amada press brakes and automated robotic folding systems allow us to manufacture both simple and complex parts to exact specifications, while maintaining high standards of quality and reliable lead times.
As part of our ongoing investment in advanced manufacturing, CBE+ operates two 3-metre Amada HFP press brakes, featuring Amada’s innovative One-Stroke Tooling system. This technology allows multiple tooling styles to be set up on a single machine, enabling complex components to be folded through multiple bends in one operation.
With advanced offline programming, our operators have access to accurate setup information and bending data before production begins. This reduces setup and changeover times, minimises material handling and helps ensure consistent results across every component.
Key benefits:
3-metre bending capacity
Innovative Amada One-Stroke Tooling system
Multiple tool configurations for complex components
Offline programming for efficient setup
Reduced changeover times and material handling
Improved accuracy and consistent product quality
Increased productivity and reliable delivery times
Our automated Amada Astro robotic folding system takes precision bending to the next level by fully automating the folding process. Designed for both simple and highly complex components, the Astro combines high-speed robotics with intelligent programming to deliver consistent, repeatable results and efficient production.
With a 20 kg payload and the ability to manipulate sheets up to 1800 mm × 800 mm, the system is designed for flexible, high-speed forming. Its dual-robot configuration allows folding and material loading and unloading to take place simultaneously, helping to minimise cycle times and maximise production efficiency.
Key benefits:
High-speed dual-robot system for faster cycle times
Fully automated folding, loading and unloading
Offline programming, eliminating the need for manual robot teaching
Advanced tool navigation for rapid machine setup
Flexible loading and unloading configurations
Suitable for simple and highly complex components
Simultaneous bending, loading and unloading
Up to 50% lower power consumption and 60% less oil
Through continued investment in advanced Amada technology, CBE+ combines precision press brake operations with automated robotic folding to manufacture high-quality components efficiently and consistently.
Our bending capabilities allow us to handle a variety of component designs, reduce production times and minimise manual handling, helping us maintain quality throughout the manufacturing process.
Tool Maintenance with the Amada TOGU
Maintaining punching tools in optimum condition is essential for achieving consistent part quality, maximising tool life and reducing production downtime.
The Amada TOGU automatic tool grinder is purpose-built for high-quality grinding of sheet metal tooling, providing a fast and reliable solution for keeping tools performing at their best.
CBE+ EM Series Turret Punch Press
The Amada EM Series combines advanced punching technology with high-speed, reliable production. Featuring twin direct-drive AC servo motors, the machine delivers exceptional performance while reducing operating costs and simplifying production processes.
Designed for modern, highly automated manufacturing, the EM Series provides the flexibility and precision required for demanding sheet metal applications.
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Inserting may appear to be a straightforward operation, but at CBE+, we recognise that accuracy and consistency are critical to the quality of the finished product.
Our skilled operators use modern, digitally controlled equipment to accurately monitor both the number of sheet metal inserts used and the total quantity of products produced.
This ensures complete traceability and, most importantly, 100% insert placement, 100% of the time.
By combining skilled operators with effective production monitoring, we eliminate missed inserts, prevent costly delays and minimise the risk of additional processing or rework.
The result: consistent quality, reliable production and confidence that every component is manufactured correctly first time.
We use specialist software to control our turning process, ensuring precision and attention to even the smallest detail.
Using the latest tooling and backup from major manufacturers, we can deliver cost savings while still producing tight tolerance, high quality products.
Our approach to investment in new equipment focuses on the quality of the machine tool, we deal extensively with high quality suppliers including Okuma and Mazak to ensure we have the confidence to deliver superior subcontract manufacturing service to our customers.
We provide unmatched production capacity and turnaround times.
We have an extensive range of highly equipped in-house inspection and testing facilities.
We offer technical consultancy to develop and deliver exact procedures to meet your specific requirements
We have some of the largest plating tanks in Europe.
Capabilities Beyond Engineering, Enterprise Drive, Williamthorpe Industrial Park, Holmewood, Chesterfield, S42 5UZ
01246 529014
