Thomas Constructions Mécaniques – TCM, a manufacturer of custom special machines based in Vagney (Vosges, France), designs, manufactures, installs and commissions innovative industrial equipment to meet each customer’s specific needs.
Recognized expertise in retrofitting and upgrading industrial machinery
Every industrial project is unique. That’s why TCM SAS provides customized solutions, whether requiring the complete design of a special machine, the integration of an automated production line, or the retrofitting of industrial equipment.
These operations improve equipment performance and reliability, extend the lifespan of machines and reduce investment costs.
As part of this work, we recently carried out a retrofit project on a handling pole for one of our customers, a major company in the low-carbon energy (nuclear and renewable), digital technology, advanced medical technologies, and defense and security sectors.
Scope of the retrofit project
This project involved a test bench used to verify the mechanical strength and handling of a reflector in a representative environment. This unit of 7.6 meters long, 7.5 meters wide and 19 meters high comprises a handling pole, a key feature of the unit.
Following repeated breakdowns caused by the existing pole, our design office and manufacturing workshop made several technical improvements, including:
- Increased line weight
- Design of a new grapple and tulip
- Modification to lower part of pole
- Design of a new anti-rotation interface between the pole and the grapple
- Modification of the spreader bar and removal of the quick coupling
- Addition of a spring box to the upper part of the pole
Technical projects and related services
While working in a nuclear environment, we carried out the following:
- Execution studies and manufacturing drawings (risk assessment, operating notes, assembly instructions, BPE (Permanent Equipment Database) drawings and As-Built survey, maintenance notes and mechanical rationale)
- Operating tests (dimensional checks, regulatory tests, test reports and end-of-assembly reports)
- Quality controls (penetrant testing of welds in accordance with NF/EN standards)
- Complete quality monitoring based on a Project Quality Plan (LOFC – List of Manufacturing and Control Operations)
As a result of this industrial retrofit project, our customer has:
- Extended the lifespan of their equipment by many years
- Reduced their investment cost by more than fivefold compared to the purchase of new equipment
- Optimized the reliability and safety of their facility
TCM expertise
In addition to this project, Thomas Constructions Mécaniques – TCM provides the following services to French and European manufacturers:
- Design, manufacture and commissioning of special machines for industry (production lines, control workstations, handling and packaging systems)
- On-site industrial maintenance (mechanical engineering, metalwork, welding, and adjustment)
- Safety compliance of existing industrial facilities
- Upgrading and retrofitting of industrial machines and equipment
Our design office and manufacturing workshop are available to discuss your projects. Contact us today for more information and to find out how TCM SAS can optimize your industrial facilities.
