INNOVATION THROUGH AUTOMATION

Process Development

Teaming Up With Our Customers to

Link the Divide Between Design and Production​

Midwest Engineered Systems has been developing automation systems for over 30 years for a number of industries and production processes. This diversity of experience provides MWES with the ability to arrive at unique process solutions that translate to greater throughput and quality without sacrificing uptime and dependability. While our knowledge and experience may be broad, our success comes from singularly focusing on our customer’s goals and requirements.

Our approach to automation process development is to first evaluate the firm’s current production operation and understand the company’s process needs. MWES further evaluates the manufacturing system’s speed, quality, and other process metrics. While the former comes from discussions with the customer and a detailed analysis of the request for quote (RFQ), the latter usually starts with an on-site visit with our automation engineers to understand, in person, how the current process works at the floor level, as well as a detailed collection of information and materials.

As a true partner in the automation process, we work with our customers to establish attainable requirements, goals, and risk thresholds for a potential automation system. Midwest Engineered Systems then takes these specifications and develops a new prototype production automation process to address them. Our engineers work to develop innovative solutions that combine both the automation industry’s best-purchased hardware with in-house custom-designed automation, to solve your production challenges.

Typically, two to three options are developed by our engineering team for the project. These are presented to the customer for evaluation. Simulations of the system’s performance can be built to provide highly accurate estimations of its potential performance. While it is our preference to rely on proven operations and hardware, newer processes can be tested and analyzed using our proof of principle process to determine if the operations meet the necessary requirements such as up-time, throughput rates, quality, and process capability requirements.

After arriving at a consensus with the customer, Midwest Engineered Systems moves toward the development of a turnkey production line that both MWES and the customer feels confident in its operation and performance. Then a formal fixed bid is submitted to the customer that breaks down the project cost and a detailed overview of materials used, project timelines and agreed-upon machine performance. Then it is up to the customer to accept the bid and MWES moves to build the automation system.

Ways process development can improve manufacturing

  • Reducing product cost
  • Reducing equipment cost
  • Improving process quality
  • Increasing process speeds and consistency
  • Improving overall equipment performance

Process Improvements on Existing Systems

Many times, a production automation system does not need to be completely replaced, but a detailed analysis of the system’s performance can yield cost-effective changes that can boost its performance. Midwest Engineered Systems can provide production line analysis services using its process development experience to help determine where efficiencies can be found. Process Improvements include evaluation of current equipment capability and determination for implantation of new sensors, controls, and methods to improve manufacturing.

System Controls Updates

Modern production systems come with improvements like finer, more efficient process control and data acquisition that lead to better overall performance. These improvements can usually be had by legacy systems through a carefully considered retrofit roadmap. Process improvements are offered to optimize your current equipment to improve functionality and increase the life of your system. These improvements typically involve custom-developed software and current controls hardware that improves tasks and processes. MWES offers these services as well. Our application engineers are able to guide customers through the landscape of new technologies to arrive at a plan to upgrade a production system to the latest in capabilities.

The benefits to process improvements and controls updates

  • Increased return-on-investment (ROI)
  • Lower up-front investment vs. buying new
  • Improved part throughput
  • Increased quality

The MWES Process Development Workflow

1EVALUATIONSTEPEvaluate and question the current operation or process assumptions. This is the beginning of the product process plan. 2REQUIREMENTSSTEPProduction and quality requirements are determined and identified. The risk is determined and a risk threshold is established. 3RESEARCHSTEPAreas of risk beyond threshold are identified. Research and brainstorm process methods. The outcome should result in 2-3 testing options. 4TESTINGSTEPProcess simulation testing is conducted on the chosen concept to ensure the desired results are met. 5ANALYSISSTEPAfter testing is completed, report the data to analyze the production and quality capability. 6RESULTSSTEPThe final report is an evaluation of the test performance results. This helps to determine whether to proceed to design & build or retest another concept.

Contact us today to learn more about our process development and how we can improve your manufacturing operations.

Building the future of manufacturing, together

How we can help your business with

The MWES Process

Our Process

With each automation project, Midwest Engineered Systems implements a project management process that walks through the steps for successful equipment integration.

people working

Process Development

Our approach to automation process development is to first evaluate the firm’s current production operation and understand the company’s process needs.

people meeting

Proof of Principle Testing

We offer the ability to experience the performance of an automation system with real parts and production conditions before significant investment in a production automation system is made.

Consolidating Multi-Line Production

We can utilize our depth of knowledge on facility-wide automation projects to analyze the current production system to build the best automation solution.

winder unwinder dial machine

Engineering for Manufacturability

We can help reduce the costs associated with automation by analyzing and suggesting product and process modifications.

Why work with us

A trusted partner in manufacturing

120+

Team Members
 

4,000+

Systems Built
 

100k+

Sq. Ft. Facility
 

12+

Years RIA Robot Experts

The Future of Manufacturing

Recent Projects by MWES

Robotic Adhesive Dispensing System

Robotic Adhesive Dispensing System

MWES built an automation system that would robotically apply a small amount of 3M Scotch-Weld...
Robotic Layer Picking System

Robotic Layer Picking System

We provided this customer with an automated layer picking system, equipped with a robot and...
Refrigerated Storage Tending

Refrigerated Storage Tending

Midwest Engineered Systems provided to our customer an automated layer picking system that...
Aerial Lift Weldments

Aerial Lift Weldments

Robotic welding cells were provided to our customer, to accommodate a variety of weldments...
Robotic Case Packing Cell

Robotic Case Packing Cell

The customer was utilizing multiple employees in order to manually pack their product. An automated...
Robotic Frame Welding

Robotic Frame Welding

MWES provided a Robotic Frame Welding Cell to our customer, for the final welding of generator...
Disposable Silverware Napkin Wrapping Automation System

Disposable Silverware Napkin Wrapping Automation System

MWES provided this firm an automation system that wraps cutlery and napkins together quickly...
Flexibility and Production Speed with Robotic Vision

Flexibility and Production Speed with Robotic Vision

A leading manufacturer of picture frames was in need of more flexible manufacturing capability...
Skid Steer Welding Automation

Skid Steer Welding Automation

The robotic weld cell that MWES provided to our customer is capable of processing both Wacker...