The industrial world is constantly evolving and thus gives birth to a multitude of new products. Whatever the field (Plastics, foundry, machining, stamping ...), the product developed may require various operations before being marketed or used.
Assembly, welding, marking, cutting, a multitude of operations can be envisaged and cannot always be completely carried out by humans.
It is to meet these specific and specific needs that the skills of manufacturers of special machines come into play.
A special machine is a semi or 100% automatic machine which allows specific operations dedicated to a product or a family of products to be carried out.
These machines can carry out one or more operations, for example, assemblies, vision checks and packaging.
The products that surround you on a daily basis are very likely to have one day been shaped by a special machine (Vehicle, perfumery, household appliances, Hifi ...).
These machines are generally designed and manufactured in a single copy, this continually represents a technological and industrial challenge for manufacturers.
The design and manufacture of a machine requires the intervention of a multitude of trades:
The machines also require the integration of commercial components or materials, carefully selected by the technicians.
Starting from scratch is the daily life of a manufacturer of special machines, the research and design part of the design office embodies the heart of a machine's success. It engages its responsibility in the success of the project, because it guarantees before the design, the proper functioning of the machine, according to the specifications.
The specifications are the essential document for the design and construction project. It makes it possible to express clearly and in detail the specific need of the client. The latter also includes its recommendations and requirements not only for this need but also as a general rule (Material imposed, project milestones, deadlines, conditions of realization ...)
The key is that the customer has expressed a clear and precise need, this is essential for the smooth running because a lot of parameters come into play.
The difficulty for the parties is that in general, the projects concern a new product, therefore not or very little palpable, and questions about the product may remain unanswered for the start of the project.
It is also essential that the communication between the customer and the manufacturer is clear and regular. Sharing experiences, debating ideas, are important elements because it is possible that the products and requirements may evolve during the project.
It is also necessary to take into account the environment in which the machine will be installed, to understand the customer's trade, the existing processes, the machines upstream or downstream are elements to know and to study for the success of the establishment both on the footprint as technical.
A validation of the design in common agreement between the parties is strategic and marks the starting point of manufacturing. Indeed, it becomes complicated to make modifications a posteriori from the launch of manufacturing, this is why the validation phase with the client of the industrial design is important.
Technical teams have no right to make mistakes during the manufacturing and selection phases of the equipment to be integrated. It is certainly the only copy that will have to be made, everything is done to anticipate problems and take into account all the technical parameters in order to achieve a reliable, robust and adapted machine as needed.
The key technical elements for the success of a machine are the mechanical parts that will be in contact with customer parts. Precision mechanical parts, respect for dimensions and surface quality will affect the quality of the machine.
It is also important to allow time to set up the machine after manufacturing and the automation part. This phase will make it possible to make reliable and eradicate all the problems which can prevent the proper functioning of the machine. Safety, stops, restarts, rates ... Everything is tested in real conditions in order to deliver an impeccable machine to the customer. The involvement of end users is always a plus to bring the final touch and make this machine appreciated and pleasant to use (Ergonomics, pilot screen page, security ...) everything is thought for the ease of 'use.
To summarize, the clear expression of the need, the knowledge of the trade and the customer environment, the communication and the development are the key elements so that the integration of a special machine takes place in optimal conditions.