Engineering

Combining intelligent design with precision part toolmaking.

We provide an end-to-end toolmaking service from custom component design or reverse engineering, through 3D tool design, rapid prototyping services, CNC machining, tool finishing and part measurement and inspection. We work collaboratively to help you solve problems and make the most of your opportunities to quote for and win work.

We have vast experience manufacturing component tools for use in the luxury automotive and aerospace manufacturing industries, however our 30 years of expertise spans across a broad range of engineering projects and our passion for new challenges keeps us at the forefront of innovation in all fields.

What we Offer

Our Engineering Services

Whether it’s designing a tool from a supplied CAD component, designing a custom component or tooling from scratch, or reverse-engineering with full 3D scanning, we’ve got all the skills in-house to help you produce the parts you need at the costs your customer wants.

If you need an aluminium mould tool, the chances are, we can make it across almost all moulding types. We’ve built up vast experience in design and CNC manufacturing for a wide range of tooling to suit your process and facility.

We make complex fixturing simple through smart design. From simple CNC router fixtures, through to complex checking fixtures and waterjet fixtures, if you need to hold or check something, the chances we can create the solution for you.

We’re confident in our accuracy and tolerances but it’s important you are too. We offer full measurement and inspection services to give you peace of mind or support quality process such as PPAP.

We’re fortunate to have in-house vacuum forming, injection moulding and prototype press facilities. In addition to die-cut and 5 axis trimming we can take on component manufacture to provide a full end-to-end service.

Explore Our Services

Markets served

We have a long track record in working in the aerospace, automotive, mass transport, earth-moving equipment and medical sectors. Geographically we have a wide customer base in the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe and North America.

CAD/CAM

We can import all files and formats and work daily with STP, CATIA, XT and STL files. We run Powershape and Solidworks for technical CAD, and Geomagic Freeform for creative CAD (using our haptic arm). We use Powermill for milling and Vectric for flat routing. In essence, we can take models from most formats and turn them into quality tooling parts, or create components from scratch.

Machining capacity

We have 12 Hurco CNC machines - VMX30 (x2), 30s, 42i (x2), 50t, 50, 50i (x2), DCX 22i, VM10 and 10i; Romi d800; Maxicam M8 5 axis router/mill. We will shortly be commissioning a Roeders RXP501 HSM with 42K RPM spindle speed.

Tool size and materials

We can machine most metals up to 2200mm x 1600mm x 400mm 3 axis. Our 5 axis CNC can machine all model boards and some light aluminium work up to 2400mm x 1200mm x 500mm.

Materials used

The vast proportion of our customers ask for Ureol/model board for prototyping and aluminium or steel dependant on the tooling. We work with a wide variety of model boards dependant on the application. Such is the volume of our purchasing for aluminium and model board we are very confident in our material costs on quotes and only charge a nominal handling charge on top. We do not mark up material costs.

Lead times

Dependant on complexity of the job and capacity but we can go from receiving CAD data to delivery of tools and CNC fixtures in as little as 2 weeks, delivering ourselves where possible.

Quality

We’re accredited to ISO 9001 but see this as a baseline to improve from and set our targets for quality higher than the standard requires.

Who we work with…

Working alongside brands you know and love

We’ve helped the brands below with anything from creating parts for the next supercar, design a new plane seat or creating the next must-have chocolate. There’s never a dull day.

What OUR CUSTOMERS say...
Don’t just take our word for it…
"We have always found the DPS team to be capable and efficient.
Well equipped, well priced, with quick quotes and accurate lead times, they are a pleasure to do business with."

Ramsay Rubber

Richard Hands, Technical Manager

"Our team at Seaborne enjoy working with DPS because we can rely on them to deliver top quality work.
Communication is good, they are easy to work with and are willing to take on tricky projects that others don’t."

Seaborne Plastics LTD, Czechia

John Cooper, Technical Manager

"We’ve been working with DPS for 20 years. They’ve always been flexible and have changed
as our business has changed. They’re great to work with and we trust their delivery."

EnerSys

Paul Herbert, Site Engineer Manager

"DPS Designs are always incredibly professional, nothing is ever too much trouble and there is no one better at the workmanship of their products.
We give DPS 11 out of 10 for their service and highly recommend them above all other plastics manufacturers!"

Eep Company

Patricia Dubresson, Managing Director

"DPS have a wealth of knowledge from so many tooling backgrounds that they bring something new to the table.
From the intricate small tools with super fine detail to the larger end of the scale they all have the same attention to detail.
The finishes have been without a doubt the best we have received from a supplier."

Thermotec Plastics

Gary Hingley, Managing Director

"The quality of the tools is great, and the price is very competitive."

Medical Comfort Specialists, USA

Wojciech Porcek, General Manager

“We faced the challenge of producing a significant number of vacuum forming and CNC tools within a tight timeframe.
DPS proved to be an outstanding partner, delivering the required tooling with exceptional quality, competitive pricing, and timely delivery.
Their team consistently demonstrates friendliness and responsiveness to our needs.”

Cox Wokingham Plastics LTD

Mark Bennett, Project Manager

"Future Plastics have been working closely with DPS for over 10 years.
They are a trusted and reliable partner who never fail to provide excellent service levels in terms of
quality and timely delivery. Dealing with the team is always a pleasure. I would have no
hesitation in recommending DPS for the supply of complex heavy gauge thermoforming
moulding tools and trimming fixtures."

Future Plastics, Ireland

Gary Foley, Managing Director

"We have worked with DPS for a number of years now and they have always offered a very good service.
This includes competitive costs, quick yet realistic lead times, great quality and a huge amount of technical knowledge."

MiMtec Limited

Jamie Waring, Sales Manager

"DPS Designs are always incredibly professional, nothing is ever too much trouble and there is no one better at the workmanship of their products.
We give DPS 11 out of 10 for their service and highly recommend them above all other plastics manufacturers!"

Eep Company

Patricia Dubresson, Managing Director

We’ve been designing, machining and delivering thermoform tooling for 30 years and constantly reinvest in our capability to ensure we
stay ahead.

Ready to start your next project with us?