If you’ve ever had a critical machine go down and realised the part you need no longer exists — or you don’t have a technical drawing to replicate it — you’re not alone.
From small manufacturers in Lincolnshire to national OEMs, it’s a common challenge: how do you replace a custom machine part when you don’t have the original blueprint?
At our engineering firm in Lincoln, we specialise in reverse engineering and custom part manufacturing, helping businesses across the UK recreate essential components with precision, speed, and zero fuss. In this post, we’ll explain why this matters, what the process looks like, and how our workshop can help you get back up and running.
The Challenge of Keeping Legacy Machinery Running
Across industries like agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and automotive repair, older machines are often vital to operations. But over time, those machines:
Break down
Contain obsolete components
Lose technical documentation
Become unsupported by manufacturers
When a part breaks and there’s no drawing or manufacturer to contact, production stalls — sometimes for weeks. That can lead to lost revenue, delayed delivery schedules, and expensive equipment replacements.
Custom parts replacement through reverse engineering offers a cost-effective, faster, and tailored solution.
Our metal fabrication process includes:
Cutting using CNC plasma technology for precise dimensions
Forming and bending to shape components
Assembly of parts through welding or mechanical fastening
Finishing, including spray painting and shot blasting
If you're looking for custom metal fabricators in Lincoln, we can design and manufacture parts to your exact specifications, whether it’s a one-off prototype or a large production run.
How to Get a Custom Machine Part Without a Blueprint: Our Process
We’ve helped hundreds of clients with this exact issue. Here’s how we approach it at Branston Engineering:
1. Initial Consultation and Assessment
Bring us the part — damaged or worn — or arrange delivery to our Lincoln workshop. We’ll assess the part’s function, materials, and dimensions.
We work with:
Broken or worn-out parts
Castings with no original data
Components made decades ago
✅ Tip: The more context you can give us about how the part is used, the better we can match its tolerances and performance.
2. 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering
Using our in-house 3D scanning technology, we capture a digital model of the component. Even if a part is heavily worn, we can reconstruct the original geometry.
Benefits of 3D scanning:
Accuracy down to microns
Faster turnaround
Ability to detect wear and correct it
We then create a CAD model ready for machining or fabrication — no need for existing drawings or schematics.
3. Material Identification and Machining
We’ll advise you on material options if the original metal is unknown or unavailable. Then, using our CNC machining, fabrication, or welding equipment, we manufacture the new part.
Our workshop handles:
One-off part replacement
Batch production
Modifications for performance improvement
Fabrication vs Welding in Construction: What’s the Difference?
To put it simply:
Fabrication involves building a product from the ground up using multiple techniques.
Welding is a method used within the fabrication process to join metal components.
So if you’re planning a construction project and need steel frames, you're looking at metal fabrication. But if you're repairing a cracked joint on your gate or machinery, that's a welding job.
4. Testing and Fitment
All parts are checked for fit and function. We can also help with installation if required, or support your engineers with fitting information.
Whether it’s a vintage tractor valve or a conveyor gear from a discontinued system, we’ll make sure your new part does the job.
Common Questions About Custom Part Replacement
Q. Can I get a single part made, or do I need to order in bulk?
Absolutely — there’s no minimum order. We specialise in one-off part production and small batch work.
Q. What if the part is heavily damaged?
That’s common. Our reverse engineering techniques allow us to recreate the original shape even from worn or cracked parts.
Q. Do you only work with metal parts?
Primarily, yes. We work with steel, aluminium, stainless, brass, and other industrial metals. For plastics or composites, get in touch — we may be able to advise.
How Branston Engineering Helps UK Businesses Replace Machine Parts
We’re proud to support clients throughout the UK with a full suite of precision engineering services, including:
Reverse Engineering
Parts Manufacturing
Repairs & Refurbishment
CNC Machining
With in-house 3D scanning, machining, and fabrication, we’re equipped to deliver fast, reliable results with no third-party delays.
Our clients range from family-run businesses to national manufacturers — all looking for a local engineering partner that can solve real-world problems without the red tape.
Need a Custom Machine Part? Talk to Our Lincoln-Based Engineers
If you're stuck with a broken component and no technical drawing, you don’t need to replace the entire machine.
Branston Engineering is here to reverse-engineer, recreate, and restore what you need — quickly and professionally, from our workshop in Lincoln.
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