Automated Factory Layout and Equipment Design

This project involved the design and development of a fully automated production cell for a large UK-based manufacturer as part of their wider Industry 4.0 strategy. Working alongside the client and structural engineering partners, SPM Mechanical Engineering delivered a complete solution that integrated robotics, automated material handling, and advanced safety systems to support two new production lines. The result was a streamlined, efficient production environment designed to improve operational flow, enhance safety, and support future scalability within the facility.

SPM Mechanical Engineering were contacted by a large blue chip company based in the UK. They were planning on installing 2 new production lines that would produce a specialist material, used within the production of their products at another location on their site. As part of their Industry 4.0 strategy, the client wanted to design and install a fully automated production cell around the output of the two new production lines. Robotics would be used to pick and place the finished product onto material storage frames. These storage frames would then be transported via a moving carriage system to a safe location where floor robots would then be used to distribute these to the next phase of production. Full safety barriers with safety scanners were to be designed and installed along with pneumatic opening gates to allow material in/out of the production cell whilst keeping operatives safe.

The project would be executed in two phases.

Phase 1 – Site layout and structural building alterations.

Phase 2 – Design and Installation of production cell.

Phase 1 – Full final layout drawings were prepared detailing the positions of the new production lines, production cell, structural building alterations, sub floor steelwork locations and floor plan with new paint details.

Phase 2 – Full manufacturing information for all production cell components including technical drawings, assembly drawings, weldment cut lists, DXF flat pattern profiles, BOM and 3D step files. Full ongoing manufacturing, installation and commissioning support.

SPM Mechanical Engineering have completed similar factory automation and upgrade projects. Ranging from sub floor steelwork designs used within the heavy engineering sector, production line upgrades and new equipment design through to machine drive upgrades. A further selection of similar projects can be seen below.