Special purpose machines

It makes good sense to design the machines and equipment required to manufacture, assemble, test and inspect a product in parallel with the actual product development. This allows specific features required to support these activities to be incorporated into the product design.

We have undertaken several of these joint product and production machinery projects, but our skills and reputation are such that we are also regularly asked to carry out stand-alone machine developments. In some cases this involves the design, development and production of a complete machine. In others, it may be the modification of or addition to an existing piece of equipment.

We make extensive use of computer-based simulation to develop the complex mechanisms that form the basis of most of these projects. We then employ Finite Element Analysis, as well as computerised and manual calculations, to ensure that the loads predicted by these simulations can be handled and transferred by the various machine elements.

DCA’s systematically documented design approach, which is ISO 9001-approved, together with our extensive knowledge of the Low Voltage and Machinery Directives, means we can provide you with a clear route to CE marking or other national and international standard compliance.