At THOMAS CONSTRUCTIONS MÉCANIQUES, we manufacture custom special machines for industry, working closely with our industrial customers to automate their facilities, upgrade existing equipment, and optimise robotic production lines.
For this project, our teams carried out full reverse engineering and mechanical optimisation of a robotic welding table used to manufacture food-grade shelf trolleys. Custom-designed and manufactured in our workshop, this special automated welding machine significantly boosts performance, reliability, and productivity of the robotic welding process.
Project specifics: retrofit and optimisation of existing robotic welding equipment
Our customer had an existing robotic welding table for which the plans were incomplete, with untapped potential to optimise its performance. The objective was to completely reverse engineer this equipment, and then carry out a technical upgrade and industrial retrofit, thereby extending the equipment’s service life while increasing its precision and repeatability.
This type of project is perfectly aligned with our expertise in:
- reverse engineering of industrial machines,
- modernisation and retrofitting of industrial facilities,
- design of robotic welding stations,
- optimisation of existing special machinery.
Design and reverse engineering: full reconstruction with digital modelling
Our industrial design office carried out comprehensive reverse engineering work, including:
- complete 3D reverse engineering of the robotic welding table,
- comprehensive inventory of all the existing mechanical components,
- creation and reconstruction of 2D mechanical drawings and 3D CAD models in an industrial design environment,
- measurement survey at the customer’s site to ensure total compatibility with the existing industrial welding robot,
- integration of past modifications and technical upgrades to the machine over the years.
This approach creates an accurate digital twin of the equipment, essential for any industrial modernisation project and for manufacturing replacement parts.
Mechanical optimisation and improved industrial performance
After the reverse engineering phase, our engineers worked on the mechanical optimisation of the industrial welding table, which included:
- improving the structural rigidity for a more precise robotic welding process,
- optimising the clamping and positioning systems for parts,
- increasing the reliability of moving parts and mechanical interfaces,
- improving the ergonomic design of the equipment and making it easier to maintain,
- optimising the overall performance of the automated robotic welding station.
These upgrades have directly improved welding quality, repeatability, and productivity.
Manufacturing in our workshop and integration into the industrial facility
The new customised robotic welding table was entirely manufactured in our workshop, ensuring:
- high-precision mechanical manufacturing,
- rigorous quality control,
- full compliance with industrial and food industry requirements.
Our teams then carried out:
- functional testing and technical development work,
- installation at the customer’s industrial site,
- commissioning of the equipment,
- complete validation under actual production conditions.
Results: boost in productivity and greater reliability of the robotic welding process
The reverse engineering and optimisation of this welding table has resulted in the following improvements for our customer:
- significant increase in the reliability of the robotic welding station,
- more stable and precise welding,
- increase in the productivity of the production line,
- reduction in costs related to downtime and maintenance,
- optimisation of existing industrial equipment as a result of the retrofit.
TCM: your expert in industrial special machines and automation
As a manufacturer of special machines, THOMAS CONSTRUCTIONS MÉCANIQUES supports its customers throughout every stage of their industrial projects:
Design and manufacture of custom special machines
- Industrial mechanical design,
- Automated special machines,
- Robotic workstations,
- Automated production lines,
- Industrial handling equipment,
- Packaging and wrapping machines,
- Test and control benches.
Industrial retrofitting, reverse engineering, and modernisation
- Mechanical reverse engineering and CAD reconstruction,
- Retrofitting of industrial machines,
- Modernisation of existing equipment,
- Improved performance and reliability.
Installation and commissioning of industrial equipment
- Manufacturing in our workshop,
- Installation at the customer’s site,
- Commissioning,
- Technical support.
Industrial maintenance and mechanical work
- On-site industrial maintenance,
- Industrial metalwork,
- Industrial welding,
- Continuous improvement of equipment.
Do you have a project involving special machinery or the modernisation of your industrial facilities?
Our design office and manufacturing workshop will support you with the design, reverse engineering, manufacturing, and installation of your custom special machines, across France and Europe.
Contact THOMAS CONSTRUCTIONS MÉCANIQUES, your expert partner in:
- Industrial special machines,
- Industrial automation,
- Mechanical reverse engineering,
- Industrial retrofitting,
- Robotic welding stations,
- Customised mechanical design.
