Custom machines & SPMs
Special purpose machine (SPM) manufacturer
When a standard machine is too slow, too manual or too inconsistent for one operation, a special purpose machine fixes it. We design and build application-specific SPMs around your part, cycle time and quality requirement — and prove them before dispatch.
At a glance
- Operations
- Press-fit, riveting, drilling/tapping, screwing, marking, dispensing, assembly
- Actuation
- Pneumatic, hydro-pneumatic, hydraulic, servo
- Controls
- PLC/HMI with recipes and data logging
- Timeline
- Indicative 8–16 weeks from design freeze
- Acceptance
- Cycle time, repeatability on key characteristic, safety
Overview
Machines built around one operation — and one result
A special purpose machine is designed for a specific part and a specific operation. Done well, it removes operator variation, cuts cycle time and makes a quality characteristic repeatable shift after shift. Done badly, it becomes the machine everyone works around.
Our SPM projects start with the part drawing and the characteristic that matters — press depth, torque, hole position, bead size, leak rate. We select the process and actuation to hold that characteristic, design the nest and fixture for accurate location, and add sensing so a bad part cannot pass unnoticed.
Every machine is built, wired, programmed and run with your parts before dispatch. You see it working, witness the cycle time and sign the FAT. Installation, operator training and documentation follow on your site.
What we build
SPMs we design and build
Press-fit & assembly machines
Bearing, bush and pin pressing with load-displacement monitoring to reject incorrect fits.
Riveting & staking machines
Orbital, radial and pneumatic riveting with height and force verification.
Drilling, tapping & milling SPMs
Multi-spindle heads and indexing fixtures for high-volume hole-making on castings and fabrications.
Screwing & nutrunning stations
Single- and multi-spindle DC screwing with torque-angle monitoring and auto-feed.
Marking & identification
Dot-peen, laser marking and label stations with barcode/QR verification.
Dispensing & gluing
Bead dispensing of sealants, adhesives and grease with vision or flow verification.
Leak & function testing
Air-decay and pressure-decay testers, end-of-line function testers and test benches.
Welding automation
Rotary and linear welding SPMs, seam welding and robotic weld cells with fixtures.
Rotary index & transfer machines
Multi-station indexing machines combining several operations in one cycle.
Technical
Special Purpose Machines — applications, specifications and deliverables
The same three-part technical structure on every solution page, so engineering and procurement can compare scopes without reading marketing copy.
Applications
What it is applied to
- Bearing and bush pressing in axles, hubs and gearboxes
- Riveting of brackets, clutch plates and brake components
- Multi-spindle drilling of castings and weldments
- Screwing of EV battery modules and electronics housings
- Sealant dispensing on housings and covers
- Leak testing of radiators, valves, castings and battery enclosures
Not listed? Describe the operation — most scopes we quote are variations on these.
Typical specifications
What we engineer to
- Operation
- Press-fit, riveting, drilling/tapping, screwing, marking, dispensing, assembly
- Cycle time
- Typically 6–60 s per part; fixed against your target output
- Stations
- Single station, multi-station indexing, or rotary transfer
- Actuation
- Pneumatic, hydro-pneumatic, hydraulic or electric servo
- Force / stroke
- Sized from the operation — calculation shared at design review
- Automation level
- Operator-loaded, semi-automatic or fully automatic with feeding
- Controls
- PLC/HMI with recipes, counters, alarm history; platform to your standard
- Monitoring
- Load cell, LVDT, displacement, torque transducer, pressure, vision
- Traceability
- Per-part logging of the critical characteristic with pass/fail interlock
- Safety architecture
- Interlocked guarding, two-hand control or light curtain, safety relay/PLC
- Repeatability
- Proven by trial on your parts and recorded at FAT
- Indicative timeline
- 8–16 weeks from design freeze
Indicative ranges. Final specifications are fixed against your part and volume at design freeze.
Engineering deliverables
Documents you receive
- General arrangement (GA) drawing with footprint and utility points
- 3D model of the machine or station (native plus STEP/IGES)
- Bill of materials with makes, part numbers and bought-out list
- Electrical schematics, panel GA and I/O list
- Pneumatic and hydraulic circuit drawings with set pressures
- PLC, HMI, robot and vision program backups
- Operation and maintenance manual with SOPs and spares list
- FAT and SAT protocols with signed results
- Force, stroke and cycle-time calculation behind the concept
- Machine safety risk assessment on ISO 12100 principles
Programs and drawings are handed over, so your team is never dependent on us for a change.
Engineering scope
How each element is engineered
The design decisions behind the specification above.
| Actuation | Pneumatic, hydro-pneumatic, hydraulic or electric servo — chosen for the force, speed and control needed |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | Load cells, LVDTs, displacement sensors, torque transducers, vision, proximity sensing |
| Controls | PLC/HMI with recipe management, part counters, alarm history and data export |
| Structure | Stress-relieved MS fabrication or aluminium profile, machined mounting plates |
| Fixture / nest | Hardened locators, quick-change nests for variants, part-presence sensing |
| Safety | Interlocked guarding, two-hand control or light curtains, safety relays/PLC per risk assessment |
| Bought-out makes | Festo, SMC, Janatics, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Keyence, Omron, SICK, IFM — or your approved list |
| Validation | Cycle-time proving, repeatability trials, capability check on the critical characteristic |
Handover
What you receive
Every SPM project closes with a documented handover — not just a machine on the floor.
- Concept layout and process sheet
- 3D model review and design freeze
- GA drawings, BOM and wear-parts list
- Electrical schematics and PLC/HMI program backup
- FAT report with cycle time and trial results
- Operation and maintenance manual
- Operator training on your site
Execution
How we execute a special purpose machine
One project manager, stage gates you sign off, and no hand-offs between vendors.
Study
Part drawing, critical characteristic, volume and cycle-time target.
→ Machine concept + budget
Engineer
3D design, actuation sizing, fixture design, electrical and safety design.
→ Design freeze
Build
Machining, fabrication, assembly, wiring and programming.
→ Build complete
Prove
Trials with your parts, cycle-time and repeatability checks.
→ FAT sign-off
Install
Dispatch, installation and commissioning on your line.
→ SAT sign-off
Support
Training, documentation, spares and post-handover support.
→ Handover
Applications
Where it is used
- Bearing and bush pressing in axles, hubs and gearboxes
- Riveting of brackets, clutch plates and brake components
- Multi-spindle drilling of castings and weldments
- Screwing of EV battery modules and electronics housings
- Sealant dispensing on housings and covers
- Leak testing of radiators, valves, castings and battery enclosures
Industries we serve
Why Mecwerx
Why manufacturers choose us for this
Built around the characteristic
We design to hold the dimension or value your customer checks — and we monitor it in every cycle.
Proven with your parts
Trials at FAT with real parts, so the first time the machine sees your part is not on your floor.
Maintainable by your team
Standard bought-outs, clear wiring, documented programs and a wear-parts list — no black boxes.
Integrated into the line
SPMs are designed to fit your line flow, conveyor height, material presentation and data system.
Quotation checklist
What we need for an accurate SPM quote
Send what you have. Missing details are fine — we will fill the gaps during the technical discussion.
- Part drawing (2D/3D) and material
- Operation required and the critical characteristic
- Target cycle time and annual volume
- Number of variants
- Manual or automatic loading
- Preferred makes for PLC, pneumatics and sensors
- Data logging or traceability needs
- Available space and utilities at the location
Products
Special Purpose Machines we build
Standard and custom-built products delivered under this solution line.
Press-Fit Machines
Pneumatic, hydro-pneumatic and servo presses with force-displacement monitoring.
View productRiveting Machines
Orbital, radial and impact riveting stations with height and force verification.
View productDrilling & Tapping SPMs
Multi-spindle drilling, tapping and reaming machines with indexing fixtures.
View productScrewing Stations
Single and multi-spindle DC screwing with torque-angle monitoring and auto feeding.
View productFAQ
Special Purpose Machines: common questions
What is a special purpose machine?
A special purpose machine (SPM) is a custom-built machine designed for a specific operation on a specific part or part family — for example pressing a bearing, riveting a bracket or drilling several holes in a casting in one cycle. It is designed around your part and cycle time rather than bought from a catalogue.
How much does an SPM cost in India?
Cost depends on the process, force, automation level, number of stations and the monitoring required. A simple pneumatic press-fit station costs far less than a multi-station rotary machine with servo pressing and vision. We give a budget estimate after reviewing the part drawing and cycle time, and a firm quote after the design concept.
How long does it take to build an SPM?
Most SPMs take 8–16 weeks from design freeze, including build, programming and trials. Complex multi-station or robotic machines can take longer; simple stations can be faster.
Can we see the machine working before dispatch?
Yes. Every machine goes through a factory acceptance test (FAT) with your parts. Your team can witness cycle time, repeatability and safety functions before dispatch.
Will the SPM log data for traceability?
If you need it, yes. Results such as force-displacement curves, torque-angle values or leak-test results can be logged against part serial numbers and exported to your system.
Do you provide service and spares after installation?
Yes. A wear-parts and spares list is handed over with the machine, and post-handover support is available. Because we use standard bought-out makes, most spares are available locally.
Related
Related solutions
Welding Fixtures & Jigs
Manual, pneumatic and robotic welding fixtures, BIW fixtures and checking gauges designed from your datums.
Learn moreTest Benches & Leak Testing
Leak testers, end-of-line function testers and inspection stations with fixturing and serial-wise data.
Learn moreAssembly Lines
Takt-balanced manual, semi-automatic and automated lines with conveyors, error-proofing and traceability.
Learn moreStart a project
Hand over your production challenge.
Tell us what the line has to produce, where, and by when. We will come back with a scoped approach, a realistic timeline and the questions that matter — usually after a site visit or a drawing review.
- +91 85959 55435 · Mon–Sat, 09:00–18:00
- WhatsApp an engineer
- info@mecwerx.com
- Detailed RFQ with drawings (PDF, DWG, STEP)