Our Services

Design

The majority of jobs are submitted to METS in the form of conceptual ideas or even simply problems that need to be solved. METS Mechanical staff are skilled at identifying potential solutions to problems and designing appropriate hardware.

Fabrication

Items such as enclosures and boxes are usually best constructed by fabrication from sheet metal or plastic. METS has a full range of machinery and tooling to allow us to fabricate most items. Sheet metal guillotines and benders are complemented by plastic cutting and folding tools.

Machining

Conventional

Since the majority of METS work is one-off prototype development, where time spent in programming automatic machinery would outweigh time saved during actual machining, most machining work is undertaken on manual lathes and mills. With equipment ranging from watchmaker's lathes capable of handling the most minute of components, up to heavy duty machinery for the most demanding tasks, METS is well equipped to handle virtually all machining requirements.

Computer Controlled

In addition to the use of conventional milling operations, METS utilises a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mill for complex jobs. This machine allows the milling of contours that would be either impossible or extremely time consuming to perform on a conventional mill. In addition, small batch work is possible at an economic rate, since the machine need only be programmed once for each batch.

Welding

A full range of modern welding equipment allows the joining of most metals commonly encountered. Whether stainless steel, aluminium or brass, METS equipment is equal to the task. Of course, having the equipment is no good if there's no-one to drive it! Fully ticketed welders are on METS Mechanical staff and can advise on any query a client may have.

Engraving & Signage

METS can engrave specific detail and make precise components for various Mechanical and Electronic designs, as well as produce a wide range of signage, using computer controlled laser cutter and engraving machines, or for larger tasks, the computer controlled vinyl cutter. Some examples of signs we provide include magnetic staff name badges, door names, directory board signs, banners, and window decals. See some examples on our projects page (under engraving and signage section).

Tool and Instrument Making and Servicing

Trained and experienced tool and instrument makers on METS staff are able to advise on any aspect of a client's project that needs their assistance. METS has constructed many items of precision instrumentation and will almost certainly be able to assist.

Circuit Design

METS engineering staff are able to custom design analog and digital electronic circuits to suit your requirements when no existing designs are suitable.

PCB Design

Once we have a circuit design (whether designed by METS or provided by the client), we design a printed circuit board (PCB). METS uses the "PROTEL" CAD package to design its boards. Circuit designs supplied by the client may be anything from hand drawn sketches through to CAD schematic files.

PCB Manufacture

A computer driven board engraver (rather than a chemical etching process) is used for the manufacture of PCBs to close and repeatable tolerances. This process is geared towards prototype and low volume manufacture of single and double sided boards. When large quantities or multi-layer boards are required, METS employs the use of commercial PCB fabrication plants.

Component Sourcing

METS operates accounts with several component suppliers and is able to purchase components for clients' projects. We will also endeavour to locate specialised components not carried by the well known component suppliers. METS also stocks a range of the more common and regularly used components. Our technical library contains data on a vast number of components, particularly semiconductors.

Circuits Assembly

METS electronics staff are trained in both traditional through-hole as well as surface mount assembly techniques. We can "populate" PCBs with components supplied by the client or us.

Equipment Manufacture & Systems Integration

Often, the design, construction and test of an electronic circuit is only a single component of a bigger project. The circuit may need to be wired and housed into a suitable enclosure or integrated with other circuits or equipment. Liaison with the Mechanical Workshop might be necessary so that an appropriate mount or enclosure may be manufactured or an electro-mechanical interface may be implemented. Consultation with METS can provide solutions to your measurement or interfacing problems.

Equipment Repair

Whether commercial or in-house manufactured equipment, METS can assess the repairability of non-functioning equipment. Together with the Mechanical Workshop our repair skills include electronic, electrical, electromechanical and mechanical. We have considerable experience particularly with laboratory equipment. There is however, a limited amount that can be done for some commercial equipment without a service manual or circuit schematics. The limited availability and high cost of replacement parts may also prevent the economical repair of some items.