CMM measuring screen during friction-component inspection

Start the Technical Conversation

Tell FTL about the application, component or engineering problem.

Your requirement may involve a new programme, an existing friction system that is not performing as required, or a legacy component that can no longer be sourced.

A short initial brief is enough. FTL will review the application and bring the relevant technical, engineering and commercial people into the conversation.

You do not need a finished design, complete specification or final material choice before contacting FTL.

Tell Us About the Application → Call +44 (0)1286 875 197

Tell us a bit about the application

Keep the first message short. FTL will gather detailed duty cycles, coefficient requirements, volumes, certification needs and other technical information during the follow-up conversation.

We will use this address to acknowledge and respond to the enquiry.

Attach a non-sensitive drawing or specification. Do not upload classified, export-controlled, security-sensitive or contract-restricted information through this form. Accepted formats: PDF, STEP, IGES, DXF, DWG, PNG, JPG or ZIP, up to 4 MB.

Useful details can include what the component must do, the operating environment and what information is currently available. You do not need to answer a long technical questionnaire here.

Privacy: FTL will use the information you provide to review and respond to your enquiry. Read the GDPR Website Privacy Notice.

Why engineering teams contact FTL

2003

Established

100+

Friction formulations

Material to component

Single manufacturing chain

AS9100 / EN9100

Aerospace quality

84%

Of output exported

Worldwide

Components supplied

View Quality & Certifications → See Single-Source Manufacturing →

What has prompted the enquiry?

Choose the closest situation to see the most relevant FTL route. You can still submit the same short enquiry form if the requirement does not fit one category exactly.

01

A new programme needs a friction solution

The application is new or still being developed, and the project needs support with one or more of the following:

  • Friction-material selection or formulation
  • Component engineering
  • Prototype manufacture
  • Testing and inspection
  • Validation support
  • Transfer into repeat production
Explore New Programme Support →
Start a New Programme Enquiry
02

An existing system is not performing as required

The engineering team is experiencing:

  • Inconsistent braking
  • Excessive or unpredictable wear
  • Thermal-performance concerns
  • Variation between components or production batches
Explore Performance Optimisation →
Discuss a Performance Problem
03

A legacy or obsolete component can no longer be sourced

The original material, drawing, supplier or complete component is unavailable, while the equipment or programme must remain operational.

Explore Reverse Engineering →

Need a certificate, technical data sheet or supplier-assurance document instead? Use the same form and state the document or material reference required.

Discuss an Obsolete Component

Start with a non-sensitive project summary

The public website form is intended for an initial application brief and non-sensitive supporting information.

Do not upload

  • Classified information
  • Export-controlled technical data
  • Security-sensitive information
  • Contract-restricted drawings or specifications
  • Personal data that is not needed for the enquiry
  • Customer information that you are not authorised to share

For restricted projects

Tell FTL, in general terms, that the project requires a controlled information-sharing route. FTL will then confirm the appropriate NDA, secure file-transfer and information-handling route before any restricted information is exchanged.

Submit a Non-Sensitive Summary → Call FTL

What happens after you contact FTL

01

An automatic email acknowledges the enquiry

  • You receive confirmation that the message has reached FTL, with an enquiry reference
02

The application is reviewed

  • What the application is
  • Whether new, underperforming or obsolete
  • What the component must do
  • What information is available
  • Which FTL service or capability fits
03

The relevant people join the conversation

  • Business Development
  • Technical Director
  • Engineers
  • Managing Director
  • Manufacturing or quality colleagues
04

FTL gathers the detailed technical information

  • Temperature, load, speed, contamination
  • Friction or performance requirements
  • Component geometry
  • Drawings and specifications
  • Testing and inspection
  • Certification or documentation
  • Customer approval responsibilities
05

The next project step is defined

  • Request for further information
  • A technical review
  • A proposal for prototype or development work
  • A material or component route
  • A testing or inspection plan
  • A commercial quotation
  • A referral where it is not an FTL fit

Useful information for the first technical discussion

Share what is available. Missing information does not prevent the first conversation.

01

What is the application?

  • What equipment or system the component belongs to
  • What the component must do
  • Whether it brakes, holds, locks, damps or controls motion
  • What has prompted the enquiry
02

Is it a new design or an existing component?

  • A new programme
  • An existing component
  • A performance concern
  • An obsolete component
  • A supply-continuity problem
  • A prototype moving towards production
03

What environment will it operate in?

  • Temperature
  • Load
  • Speed
  • Contamination
  • Available installation space
  • Required braking or holding behaviour
04

What technical information is available?

  • Drawing or partial drawing
  • Specification
  • Existing component
  • Photograph
  • Current material reference
  • Performance requirement
  • Test or inspection information
05

What is the immediate programme concern?

  • A new development milestone
  • A current performance issue
  • An unavailable supplier
  • An obsolete material
  • A required validation stage
  • An interruption to continuity of supply

Expected annual volumes are deliberately discussed later, after FTL understands the application and likely technical route.

Start the Technical Conversation → Compare Engineering Services

The purpose of the first conversation

The first discussion is not intended to complete the full engineering questionnaire or guarantee an immediate quotation.

It should establish enough context to decide what happens next.

The intended outcomes are

  • Confirm whether the requirement fits FTL's capabilities
  • Identify the most relevant service route
  • Understand the application and immediate programme risk
  • Identify the evidence currently available
  • List the information still required
  • Define the material or component questions requiring review
  • Clarify FTL and customer responsibilities
  • Decide whether a drawing, component or test information is needed
  • Establish the next technical or commercial action

Pricing and lead-time discussions follow the technical review because both depend on the actual engineering, manufacturing, testing, quantity and supply scope.

Tell FTL About the Requirement → Explore Single-Source Manufacturing

Is FTL the right route for the enquiry?

FTL is a strong fit when:

  • Your team has an engineering brief rather than a standard purchasing request
  • A new programme needs a friction-material and component route
  • An existing system has braking, wear or thermal-performance concerns
  • An original material, drawing, supplier or component is obsolete
  • A custom friction material or complete component is required
  • Prototype work may progress into repeat manufacture
  • Testing, inspection, documentation or traceability matter
  • You want fewer suppliers across the connected manufacturing route
  • The finished components require scheduled or international supply

A different route may be more appropriate when:

  • You need an off-the-shelf item immediately
  • You are purchasing solely by an established part number
  • You need a stock or replacement-parts catalogue
  • No engineering or manufacturing review is required
  • You are seeking a consumer or retail brake product
  • Price is the only selection criterion

Contact Friction Technology Ltd

Technical and project enquiries

Phone: +44 (0)1286 875 197

Email FTL →

Initial contact: William Niaing Oo, Business Development

Head office and production

Location: Caernarfon, North Wales, UK

Worldwide support

FTL manufactures in North Wales and supplies components worldwide.

84% of output is exported.

Email FTL → Call +44 (0)1286 875 197

Site visits should be arranged directly with FTL.

One conversation connected to the complete manufacturing route

FTL's technical conversation can connect the initial enquiry with:

  • Friction-material formulation
  • Engineering and design support
  • CNC machining
  • Bonding and finishing
  • Testing and inspection
  • Controlled production
  • Traceability
  • Inventory and scheduled supply

Standards and registrations

AS9100 / EN9100ISO 9001ISO 14001 ISO 45001JOSCARCyber Essentials
See Single-Source Manufacturing → View Quality & Certifications

Frequently asked questions before contacting FTL

What should I include in the first enquiry?
Start with the application, what the component needs to do, whether it is new, underperforming or obsolete, the operating conditions currently known, any drawing, specification or existing component information, and the immediate programme or supply concern. A short brief is enough.
Do I need a completed drawing?
No. A first discussion can begin with an application brief, a partial drawing, an existing component, a photograph, a specification or a description of the performance or continuity problem. FTL will identify what further information is required.
Can I upload a drawing or specification?
Yes, the public form can accept approved non-sensitive file types. Do not upload classified, export-controlled, security-sensitive or contract-restricted information.
How should restricted technical information be shared?
Submit only a non-sensitive summary initially. FTL will confirm the appropriate NDA and secure file-transfer route before restricted information is exchanged.
What happens after I submit the form?
An automatic email acknowledges receipt. FTL then reviews the application and brings the relevant technical, engineering, commercial and management colleagues into the conversation.
How quickly will FTL respond?
An automatic acknowledgement confirms the enquiry has been received, and a member of the team will get back to you within 24 hours. Urgent enquiries can also be raised by telephone.
Can I contact FTL by phone or email instead?
Yes. Phone: +44 (0)1286 875 197. Or email FTL. Providing a brief application summary helps the team route the enquiry correctly.
Can FTL discuss a new programme before the design is complete?
Yes. FTL's New Programme Support route can begin with the required function and operating environment before the full component or material route is finalised.
Can FTL review an existing system that is underperforming?
Yes. FTL's confirmed Performance Optimisation scope includes inconsistent braking, excessive or unpredictable wear and thermal-performance concerns. The review may consider the material, component, operating environment and manufacturing evidence together.
Can FTL help with an obsolete component?
Yes. FTL supports projects where an original material, component, drawing or supplier is no longer available. The available evidence is reviewed before a redevelopment and revalidation route is proposed.
Can I request a certificate or technical data sheet?
Yes. State the required standard, certificate, material reference, technical document or supplier-assurance information. You can also review Quality & Certifications and Technical Data Sheets.
When will pricing be discussed?
Pricing follows review of the actual engineering, material, manufacturing, testing, quantity and supply requirements. FTL does not publish a standard online price for custom programmes.
When will lead time be confirmed?
Timing depends on information available, material-development work, component complexity, prototype iterations, testing and inspection, customer validation, production quantity and supply arrangements. FTL should confirm the proposed stages and timing after the initial technical review.
Do I need to know the annual volume?
Not before the first conversation. Expected annual volume is deliberately discussed after the application and likely technical route have been understood.
Does FTL sell parts by part number?
FTL is structured around custom engineering and manufacturing requirements rather than conventional catalogue sales.
Can FTL support customers outside the UK?
Yes. FTL manufactures in North Wales and supplies components worldwide. 84% of output is exported.

Bring FTL the application, component or engineering problem

Tell FTL what the component needs to do, what information your team currently has and what has prompted the enquiry.

A short initial brief is enough.

The relevant technical, engineering and commercial team members can then review the application and establish the most appropriate next step.

Start the Technical Conversation → Call +44 (0)1286 875 197 Email FTL →

Optional drawing or specification upload available.