Machine installation and commissioning
A machine that is set down accurately and levelled properly runs for twenty years. One that is rushed into position generates alignment complaints for the rest of its life.
Installation begins before the machine reaches the plant. The foundation drawing has to be checked against what was actually cast, anchor positions verified, and the unloading point confirmed against the route to the final location. Where an imported machine arrives in containers, the unpacking sequence and the lifting points on each sub-assembly are planned from the OEM documentation rather than decided at the gate.
Positioning is done against the plant grid, not against the neighbouring machine. Levelling is taken up in stages as the machine settles on its pads, and the readings are recorded rather than eyeballed. For presses this extends to slide parallelism, tie-rod pre-stressing in the specified sequence, ram centreline alignment and die-centre matching.
Utility connection, no-load trial and load trial follow, with the OEM engineer where one is deputed. Handover is against a signed checklist and the recorded readings, so the plant has a baseline to measure against at the next service interval.
What we fix before mobilising
| Foundation | As-cast dimensions and anchor positions verified against the OEM drawing before the machine is moved. |
|---|---|
| Route | Unloading point to final position, with floor loading checked at every span crossed. |
| Rigging | Lifting points taken from OEM documentation; capacity, sling angle and spreader selection fixed in advance. |
| Utilities | Power, air, water and hydraulic termination points confirmed with the plant before mobilisation. |
| Handover | Recorded levelling and alignment readings, signed checklist, trial run in the presence of plant engineering. |
What we need from you to quote
A firm price needs firm inputs. Send whatever you have; we will tell you what is missing.
- Machine general arrangement drawing and weight
- Foundation drawing and, if available, the as-cast survey
- Unloading point and the intended final position on the plant layout
- Available crane capacity, or confirmation that we should arrange lifting
- Utility termination points and who is supplying up to them
- The window in which the work can be done