Custom Automation Equipment

Transitioning from a manual system to custom automated machines provides higher yields, enhanced production quality, and lower long-term manufacturing costs. To ensure efficient manufacturing processes, Central Machines develops custom automated solutions that include state-of-the-art custom machinery, skilled engineering, and impeccable automation design to meet our client’s exact specifications for full or partial automation.

In a fully automated system, the machines do all the work and carry out all processes. Parts automatically feed into and exit the equipment, eliminating the need for manual intervention. However, custom assembly does not always have to involve an either/or solution. Semi-automated systems involve the combined effort of both machine-assisted and manual functions as the first step toward achieving full custom automation of a manufacturing assembly line. An operator will manually load and unload parts from the machinery, typically activating the process by pushing a control button. These systems can include extensive or very little manual interaction, depending on the application.

For fully or semi-automated solutions, Central Machines offers versatile turnkey capabilities that include:

• Engineering and designing
• Custom fabrication/manufacturing in our in-house machine shop
• Assembling
• Wiring
• Programming
• Installing
• Training
• Servicing

We strive to ensure that our clients have access to the resources and custom automation solutions they need to improve their manufacturing systems. Our team builds user-friendly machines that are easy to program. We incorporate a primary interface of a colored touchscreen display panel into our equipment. When operating, users need only enter their part number in the automated system to access the local database for commencing part production. Clients can select from standard chassis platform options or work with us to custom design the ideal automated equipment for their particular assembly application.

We design and build an array of high-speed machines for optimal operational reliability and consistency. Our custom machinery options include:

• High-speed indexing dial assemblies
• Walking beam-type and palletized transfer systems
• Cap closing and lining machines
• Continuous motion assembly machines

We integrate CAD/CAM programs and AutoDesk Inventor design software with conventional, wire EDM, and CNC machinery to offer comprehensive automated solutions.

Regardless of the type of industry, the benefits of custom automation machinery far outweigh those of manual processes.

Cost Reduction
The return on investment (ROI) for custom automation solutions is substantial, with reduced equipment ownership costs and increased production output after making the initial investment. A customized, automated assembly system provides machinery that meets specific size, capacity, durability, and functionality requirements for tailored solutions. Also, custom machinery does not typically have to be replaced as often as standard equipment, with repairs performed quickly and easily since manufacturers are in sync with their customized systems.

While reducing manual labor requirements, companies can enjoy cost savings on training and hiring by automating part or all of their operation. Becoming automated allows manufacturers to handle multiple projects simultaneously as well, improving material efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing revenue generation.

Improved Safety
An automated system promotes safe practices that protect the labor force. Machines can handle strenuous or dangerous tasks, decreasing the risk of operator injury and eliminating factory accidents. Custom automation solutions reduce failure points and safety hazards by minimizing the number of operators on the floor during manufacturing.

This has the added benefit of eliminating mistakes otherwise caused by manual input. As machines are not prone to human error, they significantly reduce downtime, production delays, and reworking.

Enhanced Precision
Custom automation equipment has the capability to generate products of high quality and uniformity, all faster than doing so manually. It also allows manufacturers to analyze their operations in-process, enabling effective functionality testing and inspections before a run is complete. This helps manufacturers make adjustments as needed in real-time, saving time and money while drastically improving accuracy.

Utilizing customized automated machinery enables the completion of tasks in less time than is possible with a human workforce. The automated capability for repeatable production can also ensure that all processes adhere to industrial or international quality standards.

Increased Efficiency
Machines take thinking out of the equation, enabling accurate focus on multiple aspects of the assembly line simultaneously. Good at multitasking, custom machinery typically creates a higher throughput in less time to increase productivity.

The predictable, customizable process allows manufacturers to tailor equipment or system design to the specific needs of any application, creating better responsiveness and efficiency. By multitasking, a custom automated machine can produce thousands of parts in a shorter time, decreasing the gap between initial order placement and delivery of the finished product.

Some of the many industries that commonly benefit from custom automation include:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Hardware fabrication
• Healthcare
• Material handling and packaging

The specific applications related to these industries include:

• Cap assembly. Versatile cap closure machinery has the capability to dependably and consistently handle numerous closure and cap types to streamline processes. These machines reduce downtime through remote monitoring and troubleshooting while significantly increasing throughput.
• Assembly. Found on production assembly lines, highly efficient automated equipment has turnkey capabilities for material handling and carrying out multiple assembly processes at once.
• Inspections. Automated inspection equipment verifies dimensional accuracy so that each part is the proper size and shape per the customer’s specs. Also, this machinery is capable of inspecting products for assembly completeness and quality to ensure that each component includes the necessary parts for optimal precision.
• Testing. Automated systems can conduct flow, leak, and other operational tests to ensure product functionality. Integrating strain testing technology allows the added capability to examine a product’s durability and strength.
• Prototyping. Our skilled team utilizes state-of-the-art and conventional wire EDM and CAD/CAM machines to bring concepts to life.

Automation is the optimal choice for clients wishing to increase their yield and profits and decrease their turn times and costs without sacrificing quality. Regardless of the degree to which our clients wish to automate operations, Central Machines works closely with each one, asking questions to define production goals and help clients determine if custom automation is the right option for their specific project.