Parts for custom machine construction

Custom parts for machines, also known internationally as "Special Purpose Machine Parts", play an important role in mechanical engineering and especially in custom machine construction. These specially designed components are often the core of custom machine solutions and fulfill tasks that cannot be realized with standard parts.

Different production types

The business world distinguishes between different production types. There are three traditional basic forms that can be differentiated with regard to the degree of repetition of the products: on-off production, mass production, and variant production.

• One-off production: One-off production creates deliverables individually and on a make-to-order basis. Compared to other production types, production control and material procurement are more complex for this type of production. One-off production is particularly common in plant construction and mechanical engineering.
• Mass production: Mass production is a process characterized by large quantities. Products or services are usually manufactured for an anonymous market. Due to the high number of units, the expected unit costs for mass production are relatively low.
• Variant production: Depending on the product and industry, variant production can be further divided into series production, type production or batch production. Products are manufactured in different variations, varieties or quantities.

Custom machine construction as a form of one-off production

Custom machine construction is a sub-industry of mechanical engineering. As in traditional mechanical engineering, custom machine construction also involves designing and producing machines and systems. The difference is that custom machine construction involves producing each specific machine individually, whereas classic machine construction usually produces systems in series and according to standardized specifications.

Custom machines are designed for a singular purpose and are required to meet very specific product requirements. In most cases, there are no standardized solutions for the desired task, which is why special know-how and innovative thinking are required for custom machine construction. Custom machines stand out from standard machines due to their unique technical features. They offer high technological added value, not only for production, but for the entire value chain.

As already mentioned, custom machines are manufactured individually and tailored to customer requirements. As a rule, only a single copy is produced, and in certain circumstances these machines can also be made in small numbers Since custom machines are manufactured exactly according to the requirements and the wishes of the customer, they are ideally suited as individual automation solutions for optimizing processes and procedures.

Custom machine construction as a form of variant production

If a variant production for a suitable custom machine is already in place, this can be used for custom machine construction to cut costs. For example, this could be a commercially available series of machine that are produced in medium or large quantities and for which there are already good references regarding productivity and practicality.

Similar to what is known in automotive engineering, a base machine results in a variety of individual machine variants. These are equipped with the required mechanical interfaces, sensors, actuators, controls and performance parameters in the variant design. In addition, they are also increasingly being adapted to customer-specific requirements with software and provided with the individual Machine 4.0 interfaces.

The advantage of using an already existing variant of a base machine as a basis for the custom design is that modular systems can be used. It is not necessary to redesign everything from the ground up, but rather entire assemblies that have already been tested for functionality and safety, are incorporated into the custom machine.

Custom production of drawing parts

In addition to custom machine construction, customized production is also used in prototype construction and for producing drawing parts. Drawing parts or custom parts are custom-made parts that are built based on a drawing. Custom parts and drawing parts are generally not standardized, but are designed for specific product requirements. Sometimes, however, drawing parts are also standardized parts, but their design differs from standardized parts with regard to certain parameters.

Custom machine construction frequently relies on drawing parts because standardized parts typically cannot meet the specific requirements of the custom machine. Since drawing parts are individually manufactured custom parts, their production is generally somewhat more expensive than when using standardized parts.

Advantages of drawing parts

The advantage of drawing parts is obvious: individualized, requirements-based production according to customer requirements. But what exactly does that mean? It means that custom parts can be manufactured for a wide variety of applications and in a wide variety of materials and surfaces. In addition, the custom production can take into account complicated arrangements, demanding contours or complex shapes on components and make use of special-purpose materials. Drawings are therefore developed precisely according to the needs of the customer and thus optimize processes and sequences precisely.

Another advantage is the low number of units. Drawing parts can be produced in individual production or in small series production. There is no costly, expensive warehousing, which in turn leads to cost savings and greater cost-efficiencies.

Lastly, drawing parts are highly-suited for automation solutions. Automation always has the goal of optimizing certain processes and procedures and consequently increases the competitiveness of the company. Automation optimizes the use of available resources, thus reducing costs and increasing quality and performance.

MISUMI as a provider of custom parts

In industry, custom parts or drawing parts are particularly important for special applications. If it is not possible for a company to fall back on standardized parts, it is possible to have drawing parts manufactured and delivered by specific suppliers. MISUMI offers components for automation technology and custom machine construction, where a variety of the available products are configurable. Customers have two options for ordering custom parts from MISUMI: firstly via the configurator in the online shop and secondly by uploading 3D models

The MISUMI online shop allows customers to configure many standardized products according to their own requirements. These product pages have a configurator that permits selecting or restricting different properties and parameters for the product. Once the product is configured, it can even be viewed as a 3D-Modell, so that it is always possible to make further settings. Here you will find useful tutorials for using the configurator.

meviy is a free service from MISUMI for component procurement. The service allows you to upload your own 3D models. The advantages are that you will receive a quote immediately and can place an order within minutes. The service is available for mechanical components such as sheet metal parts and milled components. For more information, see this link.

Why drawing parts from MISUMI?

No system, in particular in custom machine construction, can do without custom-manufactured machine elements. MISUMI offers an extensive range of custom parts. The most common configurable components include, for example, shafts, angles, or connecting parts. But machine elements for belt conveyors, for power transmission and other accessories can also be configured individually.

The need for automation exists in almost all industries. Challenges in a globalized world include not only cost and quality, but also time. Short delivery times are a clear competitive advantage. Thanks to many years of experience and proven processes, MISUMI is able to deliver individually configured components on time and by the deadline within a few working days. The delivery time is displayed before placing a product in the shopping cart. This reliability and speed of MISUMI offers customers optimal planning certainty.

Thanks to its production capacities at locations spread worldwide, MISUMI can optimally meet the global demand for custom parts. With specialized services and product variations, MISUMI is able to get even closer its customers and to meet their needs for custom-made products. Ultimately, it is competitive prices, short delivery times and high quality standards that speak for MISUMI drawing parts.