Capability 01 · Industrial automation

Special purpose machines, built to your line

We take a manual or unreliable operation, study it on your floor, and build the machine that does it: mechanics, pneumatics, panel, PLC and HMI from one works. We also upgrade machines already running.

Solutions→Capabilities→Industries→Projects

Semi-automatic industrial riveting machine built by SC Innovators
Machines we build

Listed by the problem each one removes

Every machine is engineered for the component, cycle time and floor space you have. None is a catalogue model.

On your line What we build Built from
Blades are loaded and riveted to the rotor by hand, and output follows the operator. Fully automatic ceiling fan blade riveting machineEnd to end with no manual loading. Built for fan plants running volume. MECH · PNEU · PLC/HMI
Volume does not justify full automation yet, but riveting quality must be consistent. Semi-automatic ceiling fan blade riveting machineThe same riveting quality at a lower investment, with an operator loading the blade. MECH · PNEU · PLC
Silver contact tips deform when they are riveted. Bimetallic riveting machineRivets silver contact tips for switchgear without deforming the contact face. MECH · TOOLING · PLC
Rivets are sorted and fed by hand at an existing station. Rivet feeding and sorting systemBowl feeding and orientation, retrofitted to the station you already run. FEEDER · SENSORS
Prototype parts wait on hard tooling. Prototyping notching pressShort-run notching for development work without committing to hard tooling. MECH · TOOLING
A sound turning or milling machine is held back by an obsolete control. CNC controller retrofitReplaces obsolete controls and extends the life of the machine. ELEC · CNC · SERVO
Fan air delivery is not measured against specification, or not recorded. Air delivery test systemMeasures air delivery to specification, with data capture for the quality record. TEST · DAQ · PLC
Bearings are over-pressed and nobody knows until the field failure. Bearing pressing machineControlled-force pressing with depth and force monitoring. MECH · FORCE · PLC
Thread rolling dies are bought out, with long lead times. Thread rolling die manufacturing machinePurpose-built for producing thread rolling dies in-house. MECH · CNC
A machine, ours or someone else's, has drifted out of specification. Retrofit, rebuild and AMCRe-basing, upgrading and maintaining machines already on the floor. SERVICE

Most of our work starts as a problem nobody has built a machine for yet. If it can be defined, measured and repeated, it can usually be automated.

Describe your operation
TURNKEY SOLUTIONS

Operations we automate

Turnkey means one order covers design, build, controls, installation and commissioning.

SOL-01

Assembly

Riveting, pressing, fastening and joining stations, manual-assist or fully automatic.

SOL-02

Measurement

Dimensional and functional measurement built into the line, with results logged.

SOL-03

Inspection

Sensor and gauge based checks that reject bad parts before they move on.

SOL-04

Sorting

Part sorting by size, orientation or result, from bowl feeders to reject gates.

SOL-05

Packaging

Counting, placing and packing at the end of the line.

SOL-06

Material handling

Transfer between stations: conveyors, pick-and-place, vacuum and pneumatic handling.

SOL-07

Loading and unloading

Taking the operator out of the machine's loading cycle.

SOL-08

Process automation

PLC control of a sequence that is run by hand or by relays today.

SOL-09

Testing systems

End-of-line and quality tests, such as fan air delivery, with data capture.

CAPABILITIES

What goes into every machine

Concept

  1. Process study
  2. Concept and layout
  3. Component selection
  4. Functional design
  5. Cycle time and output targets

Mechanical

  1. Machine design
  2. 3D CAD modelling
  3. Simulation and analysis
  4. Jig and fixture design
  5. Part feeding and orientation

Motion

  1. Servo system design
  2. Motion control
  3. Pneumatic design
  4. Hydraulic design
  5. Robot integration

Controls

  1. PLC programming
  2. HMI design
  3. SCADA development
  4. Process control
  5. Industrial networks

Manufacturing

  1. CNC milling and turning
  2. Fabrication and welding
  3. Wire and sinker EDM
  4. Surface, jig and cylindrical grinding
  5. Dimensional and geometric inspection

Assembly and validation

  1. Machine and panel assembly
  2. Inspection and functional testing
  3. Process validation
  4. Throughput and yield checks
  5. Installation and commissioning
Retrofits and upgrades

A sound machine deserves a new control

CNC controller retrofit

Obsolete controls replaced on turning and milling machines, keeping the mechanics that still hold tolerance.

Relay logic to PLC

Relay and timer circuits replaced with a PLC and HMI, so faults are shown instead of traced.

Feeding added to an existing station

Bowl feeding and orientation retrofitted to a manually loaded press or riveting station.

Rebuild and AMC

Re-basing, upgrading and maintaining machines we built and machines we did not.

INDUSTRIES

Where these machines run

IND-01

Ceiling fans and home appliances

Blade riveting, air delivery testing, bearing pressing.

IND-02

Switchgear and electricals

Bimetallic riveting, rivet feeding and sorting.

IND-03

Fasteners and cold forming

Thread rolling die manufacture.

IND-04

Precision engineering and watch components

Fixtures, gauges and short-run tooling.

IND-05

Automotive components

Assembly, pressing and inspection stations.

IND-06

Contract manufacturers and OEMs

Machine subassemblies, panels and retrofits.