Design of special purpose
equipment and test rigs is
particularly demanding. The
opportunity for prototype
testing and equipment
development is usually very
limited. In such an environment,
it is essential to be right
first time.
The machine shown is an
example of an assembly/welding
machine. The completed machine
is almost 3 M long and has a
total mass of approximately 2.25
Tonnes.
Simulation of the welding
operation revealed that a
measure of pre-loading for
individual components was
required. Simplistically, this
operation bends the component in
the opposite direction to
thermally induced stress, so
that the overall assembly
maintains its required
dimensions.
Incorporating a hydraulic
unit that clamps all components
following loading, the machine
checks all components are
correctly loaded and oriented
for the required assembly, prior
to allowing operation of the
welding head. This refinement is
managed by a separate PLC
processor control that provides
a summary output of these
conditions to the welding head
controller.
Our combination of detailed
analysis capabilities, approach
to innovation and experience
across a range of industries,
enables us to undertake the
design of demanding special
purpose equipment.
