Thomas Constructions Mécaniques – Manufacturer of custom special machines for industry
As a French manufacturer of custom special machines, Thomas Constructions Mécaniques (TCM) works closely with our industrial customers to design, manufacture, automate and commission specialist equipment. Based in Vagney (Vosges, France), our company is as an industrial integrator and manufacturer of special machines, from the initial technical study through to installation at the customer’s site.
Our design office specialises in mechanical design and industrial automation, developing custom-made solutions that meet the highest standards in terms of performance, safety, reliability, and industrial productivity.
In line with this mission, TCM designed, manufactured, and commissioned an automated management and control system for a vacuum skid used with cryogenic equipment, for a major player in the industrial cryogenics sector.
A customised industrial solution for cryogenic skid control
This project exemplifies TCM’s expertise in the design of automated special machines, integration of complex industrial systems, and vacuum process control.
The system was designed to enable automated control, monitoring, and operation of a cryogenic vacuum skid for preparing, testing and qualifying equipment under extreme conditions.
In particular, this automated industrial vacuum system manages:
- Leak testing phases for networks and sub-manifolds,
- Heating phases for pump units,
- Primary, secondary, and turbomolecular vacuum pump cycles,
- Controlled cooling phases for cryogenic equipment,
- Complete equipment testing and qualification cycles.
This system ensures full control of the vacuum conditions, essential for cryogenic, aeronautic, aerospace, and scientific applications.
Technical architecture of the automated vacuum skid
The control system designed and integrated by TCM ensures total control of the industrial equipment that comprises the cryogenic skid:
Controlled equipment
- Industrial drying oven with integrated electrical cabinet
- Set of five industrial electric heaters
- Main manifold and six sub-manifolds
- Industrial cryogenic chiller
- Primary vacuum pump
- Roots-type secondary pump
- High-performance turbomolecular pump
- Network of automated industrial solenoid valves
- Complete industrial instrumentation including:
- Atmospheric pressure switch,
- Vacuum gauges,
- Temperature sensors,
- Industrial flow meters.
This architecture ensures full control of the vacuum process, with the precision and reliability needed to meet strict industrial requirements.
Industrial automation and smart process monitoring
TCM has developed a comprehensive, custom-made industrial automation solution, with integrated:
- Industrial programmable logic controller (PLC),
- Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) touch screen,
- Custom-developed supervisory software,
- Complete electrical cabinet,
- Secure manual control system,
- Management system for sensors, actuators, motors, pumps, and heating systems.
This truly smart industrial supervisory system ensures optimal operation of the cryogenic skid.
Advanced monitoring, control, and predictive maintenance functions
The system provides the following:
- Real-time display of industrial parameters,
- Automated control of vacuum cycles,
- Complete management of test and qualification sequences,
- Continuous monitoring of critical parameters (pressure, temperature, flow rate),
- Automated diagnostics of equipment operation,
- Predictive industrial maintenance,
- Complete security of the industrial process,
- Optimised performance and reliability of the cryogenic skid.
This solution provides complete operational traceability and security, while reducing the risk of production downtime.
TCM Expertise: design, manufacture and integration of special industrial machines
This project perfectly demonstrates TCM’s expertise in the following fields:
- Design of custom special machines for industry,
- Manufacture of automated industrial equipment,
- Integration of complex industrial systems,
- Design of automated industrial skids,
- Automation of industrial processes,
- Design of industrial electrical cabinets,
- Development of industrial supervisory software,
- Installation and commissioning at the customer’s site.
TCM works in a range of industrial sectors:
- Cryogenics,
- Aerospace,
- Energy,
- Pharmaceutics,
- Food,
- Manufacturing.
End-to-end support: from design to commissioning
TCM offers a comprehensive range of services, including:
- Engineering and design,
- Manufacturing in our workshop
- Electrical integration and automation,
- Installation and commissioning at the customer’s site,
- Industrial maintenance,
- Retrofitting and upgrading of existing industrial equipment,
- Safety compliance of industrial facilities.
As a manufacturer of special machines and an industrial integrator, we support our customers throughout every stage of their industrial projects.
TCM – Your partner for all your industrial special machine projects
With our expertise in mechanical design, industrial automation, and integration of customised systems, Thomas Constructions Mécaniques (TCM SAS) designs reliable, high-performance industrial solutions to meet the specific needs of its customers.
Do you have a specific project in mind?
- Custom special machine,
- Automated industrial skid,
- Industrial vacuum system,
- Automated production line,
- Industrial test bench,
- Upgrade or automation of existing equipment.
Our design office and technical teams will provide comprehensive support from design through to commissioning.
