EXPERT TOOL
MAKING AND
PRESS TOOLING

Frank Dudley Limited (FDL) provides a complete range of tool making services designed to meet your exact requirements for quality, specification, lead time and cost. From new press tooling design and manufacture to servicing, repair and resource packages, our toolmaking capability supports every stage of your production journey.

Our toolmakers produce progressive dies and press tooling ranging from 25 to 800 tonnes, with press facilities for try-outs available up to 800 tonnes for larger or more complex projects. Whatever your tooling requirement, our team is always ready to help.

Quality is central to everything we do. Our rigorous supplier approval process, accredited to IATF 16949, ensures we work only with toolmakers and fixture manufacturers of the highest standard – giving you complete confidence in every tool we supply.

Discuss your toolmaking requirements

TOOLMAKING EXPERTISE

COMPLETE PRESS TOOLING
AND TOOLING DESIGN SERVICES

Whether you need a new tooling project managed from design to first-off, existing press tooling serviced and repaired, or a resource package to take on your existing tools, FDL’s toolmaking teams provide the expertise and flexibility to support your operation.

We work from detailed drawings or CAD files, collaborating closely with you to optimise press tool design and component geometry. If changes to shape or dimensions are required, we can modify existing tools to meet your revised specifications.

Our tool making services cover:

  • New press tooling design and manufacture
  • Progressive dies (25 to 800 tonnes)
  • Tooling design and optimisation from drawings or CAD
  • Tool repair services and scheduled maintenance
  • Prototype tooling and small batch samples
  • Tooling transfer and resource packages

Whatever your tooling project – new, existing or requiring urgent repair – our team is ready to provide expert guidance and a competitive solution.

CUSTOM PRESS TOOLING
AND PROGRESSIVE DIES

FDL’s toolmaking capability encompasses the full lifecycle of press tooling – from initial design and optimisation through to long-term maintenance and repair. Our in-house tool room is fully equipped to manufacture, service and repair tooling to the highest standards.

Our progressive die expertise allows us to produce complex, multi-stage tooling that maximises efficiency and consistency across high-volume production runs. We also offer prototype tooling solutions to help you validate designs before committing to full production tooling investment.

With a diverse supplier base accredited to IATF 16949, we give our customers access to a wide range of specialist toolmaking services – all managed through a single trusted partner at competitive prices.

Complete tooling design, manufacture and optimisation from concept to first-off.

Progressive die expertise for high-volume, multi-stage production efficiency.

In-house tool room for servicing, repairs and scheduled maintenance programmes.

Tool Maintenance and Support

In addition to new tooling, FDL provides ongoing maintenance and support to help protect our customers’ tooling investments. Through planned maintenance, reactive repairs and TPM-led practices, we help ensure tools remain reliable, efficient and production-ready. This capability also supports resource packages and overflow requirements, giving customers added confidence that their tooling is cared for throughout its lifecycle.

PROVEN METHOD

HOW OUR TOOL MAKING
PROCESS WORKS

From initial consultation to first-off parts and ongoing maintenance, every toolmaking project follows a clear, structured process.

Initial review and feasibility

Sharing drawings, volumes and requirements to confirm technical and commercial fit.

Tooling design and optimisation

Engineering the right tooling approach to meet quality, cost and lead-time targets.

Samples, qualification and approval

Producing trial parts, supporting PPAP and refining the process where needed.

Series production and ongoing optimisation

Running stable production with continuous monitoring and improvement.

See our full step-by-step process

CASE STUDIES

PROJECTS
IN ACTION

Proven results from real
customer projects using our
pressing expertise.

READY TO DISCUSS
PRESS TOOLING?

Call our toolmaking team on 0121 452 8500 or submit your enquiry below. We’ll review your requirements and provide a tailored tooling proposal.