Project Summary

A motorcycle engine manufacturer in Wisconsin partnered with MWES to automate the assembly of cam support plates and oil pump housings. The robotic cell improves consistency and throughput while reducing manual labor and assembly variation.

The Challenge

Precision Assembly of Engine Subcomponents at Scale

Manual assembly of internal engine components demands careful alignment and repeatable torque. The customer required a robotic solution that could:

  • Automate precise placement of cam support plates and oil pump housings
  • Maintain high repeatability to reduce assembly defects
  • Integrate seamlessly into existing engine machining workflows
  • Support multiple engine models with minimal operator input

MWES was chosen for its expertise in designing compact, robot-operated assembly cells tailored to complex, high-precision applications.

The Solution

Robot Work Cell Tailored for Engine Component Integration

MWES delivered a dedicated robotic assembly cell featuring:

  • Robotic pick-and-place of cam support plates and pump housings
  • Fixture-based part alignment and orientation for high precision
  • Conveyor-fed part infeed and assembly buffer logic
  • Recipe-driven HMI to support multiple engine variants

This customized cell automates critical component assembly with built-in tracking and control. In summary, the system ensures accurate, high-speed placement of components into engine housings with minimal operator intervention.

The Results

Improved Assembly Speed, Repeatability & Staffing Efficiency

The automation delivered notable improvements:

  • Consistent placement of component assemblies across multiple models
  • Fewer misalignments or defects thanks to precise robotic handling
  • Reduced manual labor, allowing workers to be redeployed to higher‑value tasks
  • Installed in a compact layout, maintaining factory footprint while increasing capacity

By automating this internal engine component assembly, MWES enabled higher throughput and better quality control—without increasing staffing or workspace.

LET’S BUILD A SMARTER FUTURE TOGETHER

Let’s Build a Smarter Future Together

Tell us what you’re looking to improve, and we’ll help design an automation system that delivers the results you need.