ELECTROPHORETIC PAINTLINE (KTL)

A Heritage of Precision and Performance

William Hughes has been manufacturing piano strings for over two centuries, a legacy that reinforces the depth of our expertise in wire technology.

We continue to supply specialist string wire to instrument manufacturers and restorers who value not only the quality of the product but have the option to partner with a UK-based piano string manufacturer with expertise in the understanding of material, timbre and tone.

We invest significantly in simulation, prototyping and production validation, including finite element analysis (FEA), tolerance stack-up assessment and rapid prototyping using soft tooling or modified jigs. The Stalbridge site features robotic welding machines including 6-axis welding cobots for the repeatable and highly consistent production of complex welded assemblies. These systems are ideal for precision welds, bracket assemblies and other load-bearing components where micro-level consistency in joint strength is essential. Our on-site engineer teams are always available to support customers with:

• Yield improvement and tolerance reduction initiatives

• Prototype-to-production transitions with low-risk scaling

• Design for Manufacture (DfM) and reverse engineering services

This investment in automated welding solutions allows us to guarantee both quality and efficiency, particularly for customers under pressure to meet stringent automotive tolerances and validation criteria.

William Hughes focuses on producing high-precision wire form and spring prototypes, offering industry-leading expertise to sectors including automotive, aerospace, defence and medical. Our in-house prototyping services help speed up development while achieving demanding standards for performance, accuracy and surface finish. With extensive knowledge in precision wire component design, we ensure every prototype meets strict load and tolerance specifications. Using advanced CNC machinery and robotic automation, we deliver dependable quality and repeatable consistency across all components.

Our design and application engineers enjoy state-of-the-art facilities for the in-house design of products and machine tools.