At Thomas Constructions Mécaniques TCM SAS, we do much more than simply manufacture special machines. Our innovative, modern and structured design office provides a comprehensive range of services to support our customers, in the design, manufacture and commissioning of customized industrial solutions. With our extensive expertise, we bring your ideas to life and optimize your production processes.
Our design office services for personalized support
- Preliminary study and contextual analysis: we start each project by conducting a detailed preliminary study on site, to fully understand your specific needs and assess any existing constraints. This essential phase ensures that your industrialization project is built on solid foundations.
- Standardized functional analysis: our team performs a comprehensive functional analysis which is used as a guide throughout the development of your industrialization project or special machine. This methodical approach ensures that all the functional aspects are fully aligned with your requirements.
- Drafting of functional specifications: in addition to the functional analysis, we draft precise and detailed functional specifications, in order to develop a clear and shared vision of your project.
- Feasibility study: we analyze the feasibility of your project, by taking into account all the technical, economic and regulatory considerations, in order to provide viable and innovative solutions.
- State-of-the-art technical solutions: we conduct a full review of standard technical solutions on the market, to offer you the latest technology tailored to your specific needs.
- Personalized technical proposals: based on our analysis, we develop customized technical proposals tailored to your industrialization objectives.
- Reverse engineering and 3D scanning: we use 3D scanning to reverse engineer your existing equipment and infrastructure to create accurate digital replicas, to facilitate the planning process and the integration of new solutions.
- 3D modeling and simulation: we create 3D models of the proposed solutions and integrate them into the digital replica of your existing infrastructure. This visualization in virtual reality allows total immersion and facilitates communication between all the project’s stakeholders.
- Detailed technical brief: we draft a technical brief that provides a detailed explanation of the solution’s operational principles, including the system’s predicted production rates, energy requirements, installed power and dimensions.
- Preliminary risk assessment: in accordance with Directive 2006/42/EC, we conduct a preliminary risk assessment to ensure the safety and compliance of your new equipment.
- Budget estimate and macro-planning: we provide you with an accurate cost estimate and a macro-plan for the project, so you can plan your budget with total confidence.
Example of an industrialization project
Industrialization project for Saarstahl Rail: feasibility study and design of a Self-Propelled System
Customer: Saarstahl Rail
Project: Project Design Brief (PDB) for an automated self-propelled system on rails
Objective: Design of a pick-and-place handling system for separators on freight cars
Context and objectives:
Thomas Constructions Mécaniques (TCM) SAS was commissioned by the steel manufacturer Saarstahl Rail to design an innovative self-propelled system for handling the separators used to separate rail sheets for packaging on trains. The aim of this project was to optimize the industrialization process with a customized solution tailored to the customer’s specific requirements, particularly with regard to precision, efficiency and safety.
Project phases:
- Preliminary analysis on customer’s site
- Objective: understand Saarstahl Rail’s specific needs through immersion in the site’s operations.
- Actions: observe existing processes, hold in-depth discussions with the professional teams, collect data on issues to inform future adjustments.
- Drafting of functional specifications (Week 2)
- Objective: define the functional requirements and specific constraints of the project.
- Actions: develop specifications that define all the critical functions for the central platform system.
- Technical brainstorming sessions (Weeks 3-4)
- Objective: develop and assess a number of potential technical concepts.
- Actions: organize in-house sessions to explore different solutions, followed by interactive discussions with Saarstahl Rail to fine-tune the proposals.
- Outline of technical solutions (Week 5)
- Objective: validate the most promising technical solutions.
- Action: produce diagrams and brief descriptions, prepare the technical presentation.
- First presentation of solutions (Week 6)
- Objective: present and discuss the technical solutions with the customer.
- Actions: organize an on-site meeting to present the concept, followed by a Q&A session.
- Optimization of technical solutions (Week 7)
- Objective: fine-tune the technical solutions based on feedback from the customer.
- Actions: update the diagrams, descriptions and presentation as appropriate.
- Second presentation and final validation (Week 8)
- Objective: finalize and validate the technical solution selected.
- Actions: organize a final meeting on site for final validation of the concept.
- Production of the Technical File (Weeks 9-10)
- Objective: draft documentation for the final solution with full technical specifications.
- Actions: produce 3D images, technical briefs, risk assessments, budget estimates and macro-planning for the project’s implementation.
- Presentation of findings (Week 11)
- Objective: present findings to a larger group of employees at Saarstahl Rail.
- Actions: present all the results and discuss the potential next steps.
Technical solution selected:
The finalized solution for Saarstahl Rail includes a handling robot with a specific gripping system for each type of separator, an automated lubrication system, an automated warehouse, and the complete infrastructure for movement, power and safety. This system is also equipped with a dynamic interactive configurator to set the parameters for the trains and camera, to ensure precise alignment.
1 handling robot
Automated warehouse for separator gripping systems
Separator baskets
Preparation, storage and handling area for separator baskets
Linear system for moving the robot along the central platform
Power supply system via cable carrier chain
Storage/warehouse system for placing separators and clamping beams for clamp rigging
Camera system to align the robot with the actual position of the separators
Customized interactive dynamic train configurator
Enclosure to ensure a safe work area
Conclusion and perspectives
This project demonstrates the extensive expertise of TCM SAS in the design of special machines for industry, as well as our capacity to provide innovative, customized solutions to meet the specific requirements of our customers. Through our methodical approach and commitment to quality, we were able to deliver an optimized solution, ready for integration into Saarstahl Rail’s industrial processes.
Why choose Thomas Constructions TCM SAS?
Our design office team does more than simply meet your needs, they anticipate your requirements and provide innovative, high-performance, customized technical solutions. When you choose us for your industrialization projects, you’ll get personalized support, recognized expertise, and a total commitment to ensuring the success of your project.
Contact us today to find out how Thomas Constructions Mécaniques TCM SAS can support you in bringing your industrial projects to life, with our unrivaled expertise in the design of customized special machines.
