Automated solutions are key to optimizing industrial processes and maximizing efficiency in industries such as aeronautics, the rail industry and many others. However, in these kinds of environments, the difference lies not merely in automation, but in how that automation is adapted to each specific case.
At Loxin, as part of the Aritex Group, this is precisely what we focus on: designing and developing systems that do not exist as standard products on the market. Customized engineering translates not only into tailor-made products, but also into a deep understanding of each customer’s unique needs. Furthermore, in many projects, we work in collaboration with other engineering teams at Aritex, combining our capabilities to tackle complex technical challenges.
What are Loxin’s customized automated solutions?
When we talk about an automated machine at Loxin, we are referring to a complete solution that integrates three key elements: the mobile platform, the robot and the end effector.
The key lies not only in each of these components, but in how we combine and adapt them to each process.
Unlike other manufacturers, every project we undertake is unique. We sometimes build on previous designs, but it is always necessary to adapt geometries, access points or functionalities. In practice, this involves designing a new solution or a significant evolution of an existing one.
Customization as a starting point
At Loxin, customization isn’t an added value: it’s the basis of our work.
Many of the projects we undertake:
- have no standard solution available
- require combining technologies that have not previously been used together
- involve evaluating solutions that entail a certain level of technical uncertainty
At the same time, we also work in industries such as the rail industry, where the conditions are different, but where we apply knowledge developed in aeronautics to adapt proven solutions to new requirements.
The benefits of customization in automation
Customization is fundamental to Loxin’s offer. Projects often require a unique solution that cannot be found on the market. Working with tailored solutions allows us to offer clear advantages over standard solutions:
- Full adaptation to the customer’s process: We design each solution taking into account materials, geometries, access points and specific tolerances.
- Improved productivity and quality: Automation increases repeatability and reduces variability, particularly in critical processes.
- Integration with existing industrial processes: Loxin’s machines are designed to integrate seamlessly into environments where customers cannot make major changes to their plant layout. To overcome this challenge, we design compact machines or mobile systems capable of manoeuvring within confined spaces.
Industries that benefit most from Loxin’s automated solutions
In the aeronautics industry, tailored automated solutions are essential due to the high demands for precision and quality in component manufacturing. Loxin has developed machines that enable the automation of processes such as drilling fuselages, a task that was previously carried out manually. These machines not only improve precision but also increase productivity and reduce the risk of human error.
The railway industry also benefits from our customized automated solutions, albeit with less stringent tolerance requirements. In this case, we have adapted the technologies used in the aeronautics industry to create solutions that automate processes in the manufacture of railway components, without compromising the quality of the end product.
The start of the engineering process
The development process for a customized automated machine begins long before the detailed design stage.
The first step is to analyse whether the proposed challenge is technically feasible. In this phase:
- we review the customer’s requirements
- we assess potential risks
- we analyze whether we need to combine previously unused technologies
To this end, the Loxin and Aritex teams work in coordination, involving areas such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automation and software.
Based on this initial analysis, we define an initial proposal that allows us to specify the solution from a technical and operational perspective. In this phase, we establish the most appropriate machine concept for the process, estimate cycle times and outline the operating strategy, thereby laying the foundations for development of the project.
This approach is merely the starting point. From here, each project enters a technical development phase in which the design, integration and validation of the solution in a real-world environment are defined.
In a forthcoming article, we will examine how this process takes shape and what challenges are involved in taking a customized solution through to its implementation on site.
