The Shift Toward Modular Design in Industrial Equipment

Many of us deal with slow, costly equipment changes and tough maintenance. This problem is common in CNC machining work. We have faced these challenges too. Through modular engineering research, we found that modular construction can be up to 15% faster than traditional methods.

In this post, we’ll share how modular design brings real benefits like easy part swapping and simple upgrades for machines such as coordinate measuring equipment or automated test stations.

Read on to find out how making the switch could help your next project go more smoothly.

What is Modular Design in Industrial Equipment?

We use modular design to build industrial equipment with separate parts, or modules, that we can assemble, remove, or swap as needed. Each module—such as a riser, prefab unit, or section of an automated test machine—is made and tested in a controlled factory setting.

This keeps quality high and work safe. National Instruments uses this method for automated test equipment; it helps us change out faulty sections fast without reworking the whole system.

This approach gives us control over finishes and lets us match packages to each project’s needs. We rely less on different trades at the job site since all services get combined off-site wherever it brings value.

In our experience designing coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), using scalable modules makes upgrades easy and supports quick logistics during setup or repair calls. Next, we will explore why these benefits matter so much in real projects.

Key Benefits of Modular Design

Modular design in industrial equipment is changing how we approach manufacturing and construction. It brings many benefits that make projects faster, less wasteful, and more efficient.

1. Less waste: Modular construction cuts down waste by about 40% compared to traditional building ways. This is because prefabs are made in a factory setting where materials are used more carefully.
2. Faster build times: Projects using modular methods can be finished up to 15% quicker than those using old-fashioned ways. This speed comes from working in controlled environments and not having to deal with delays like bad weather.
3. Cost predictability: When we build off-site, we avoid many unpredictable costs tied to site conditions and complicated logistics. This control over the process means we can guess project costs better.
4. Lowered risk: Starting early on big parts of a project helps us find problems sooner and use our skilled workers better. As a result, building sites become safer places with fewer surprises.
5. Safer workplaces: With fewer people needed on-site due to off-site assembly, there's less chance for accidents in the workplace.
6. Less pollution: Building off-site also means less mess at the work area because we cut down on materials waste and reduce trips back and forth.
7. Smoother process: By making big pieces of a project at the same time but in different places, we need fewer types of workers at any one site. This way, different work phases don't bump into each other and slow things down.

Next, let's look at some real-life examples of modular design in action across various industries.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6liu6Ro1bE

Examples of Modular Design in Industrial Applications

We use vertical service risers in many commercial buildings to move water, power, and data. These modular products save time compared to traditional pipework because we can install them quickly on site.

For horizontal distribution, factory-assembled corridor modules reduce labor and speed up projects.

Prefabricated utility cupboards help us cut waste during assembly and keep our quality standards steady. Wall modules handle low-level service distribution with safe and efficient installation.

Toilet units come as stand-alone or part of a system; both let us connect easily to temporary site services. Contactless features lower the risk of cross-contamination for building users.

Quality control improves through in-house fabrication, where we check each step closely before delivery. We also offer aftercare services for packaged utility cupboards to support every stage of a project.

Virtual reality helps clients see these modular building options early in the planning phase, making decisions faster and easier for everyone involved. Interchangeability and scalability remain key advantages across all these solutions, letting us adapt systems fast based on changing needs or future growth.

Conclusion

The shift to modular design is changing how we approach industrial equipment. It helps us create better products faster and with less waste. Using this method allows us to customize our solutions for different projects.

This improves efficiency and also makes construction safer. As engineers, embracing modular design opens up many new possibilities for our work. We can explore these options together!