On-site installation service for machine frames and guarding

The on-site installation service will be welcomed by manufacturing and research project managers facing tight timescales, as well as those for whom outsourcing is helpful to smooth production demands during busy periods. This value-add service has partly been developed in response to demands for urgent deliveries, where design-to-assembly times for large framing systems supplied and assembled on customers' sites was as little as two weeks.

MiniTec's comprehensive range is based around a wide selection of attractively finished, extruded aluminium profiles to match application load and layout requirements. Machine frames, enclosures and guards are simply assembled using MiniTec's one-piece Powerlock fastening system, providing what is claimed to be the industry's fastest interconnection method - requiring no pre-drilling or other costly preparation.

The Powerlock fastener is well suited to on-site installation work, as it offers the flexibility required to adapt to the shifting demands of rapid product development for new assemblies, and provides for scalable system modification where existing MiniTec framing profiles may be easily removed and relocated.

A long list of complementary components for the range includes hinges, handles, panels, feet, wheels, doors and conveyors. Power transmission and machine control components available include linear bearings, timing belts and sensors, in addition to linear and rotary motorised tables and gantry positioning systems.

Example installations

Recent projects where the on-site installation service has paid dividends are a 9m geosciences scanning system for Leeds University, security display consoles for the Metropolitan Police, and air traffic control workstation frames for the CAA.

Designing-in MiniTec's machine building system is simplified with a choice of hard-copy or PDF catalogues, an on-line e-catalogue, ICAD software for AutoCAD and CADmenu for other systems, or with the web-based i-CAD interactive software that allows customers to view, examine and download 2D or 3D CAD files for each component in the range and produce complete parts lists.