Industrial Controls & Machine Building
SDS offers turnkey solutions—from electrical design to fully integrated factory automation equipment. We integrate mechanical design with industrial automation controls to deliver complete, turnkey equipment on fast timelines. Whether you need a custom machine builder for an R&D test stand, an automated assembly cell, or build-to-print manufacturing, we handle the entire system—mechanics, controls, and final assembly.
SDS is a flexible solutions partner that excels at managing ambiguity in early-stage system design. We work efficiently on the known variables while collaborating with your team to finalize the system. By developing physical hardware and industrial control panels simultaneously, we eliminate integration headaches and ensure your factory automation equipment performs reliably from the moment it hits your floor.
The SDS Advantage: Concurrent Design, Build, and Integration
Dynamic Execution for Aggressive Schedules
Unlike a traditional custom machine builder that requires a “frozen” design package before beginning work, SDS thrives on flexibility. We understand that requirements evolve.
- Concurrent Build Process: We identify long-lead items to begin procurement early—often while the final industrial automation controls are still being refined.
- Adaptive Agility: We proceed "at-risk" on critical path items to protect your timeline. Our tight integration of engineering and assembly allows us to absorb changes mid-stream, ensuring that discovery and iteration don't stall the final delivery of your factory automation equipment.
Vertical Integration & In-House Manufacturing
Our agility is powered by our infrastructure. We do not rely on external vendors for critical fabrication, allowing us to control quality and speed. Our facility is equipped with:
- Precision Machining: 5-axis CNC mills and CNC lathes with live turning for complex, tight-tolerance components.
- Advanced Welding: Capability for precise Laser welding as well as standard MiG/TiG processes.
- Fabrication Shop: A full metal shop handling structural steel, enclosure modification, and custom fixturing.
Why Parallel Engineering Matters
Many firms treat controls as an afterthought. At SDS, mechanical, electrical, and firmware engineering progress in parallel. This systems-driven approach eliminates the friction between hardware and software, compressing the development schedule and getting your equipment on the floor faster.
Core Capabilities
Custom Machine Building & Electrical Integration
We turn engineering concepts into factory-ready hardware. As a full-service custom machine builder, SDS manages the entire fabrication lifecycle—from structural assembly and wiring industrial control panels to final electromechanical integration. We deliver turnkey systems built for longevity, safety, and maintainability.
Turnkey Machine Assembly: We handle the complete physical build, including mechanical framing, actuator mounting, pneumatic/hydraulic plumbing, and sensor integration. Our shop delivers fully tested factory automation equipment ready for immediate deployment.
Schematic Design (AutoCAD Electrical): We provide comprehensive, industry-standard documentation. Our team generates detailed schematics for electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic architectures, ensuring a clear roadmap for maintenance.
Industrial Control Panels: We specialize in enclosure design, wiring, and thermal management, built to withstand rigorous industrial environments.
Safety Integration: Hardwired safety logic, interlocks, and functional safety compliance to ensure operator safety through advanced industrial automation controls.
Build-to-Print: We can execute your existing documentation packages or provide engineering support to optimize incomplete designs for manufacturability.
Applications & Equipment
Automated Test Equipment (ATE) & Verification Systems
We scale verification from the engineering bench to the factory floor. Our team specializes in converting general industrial automation controls requirements into robust, deployment-ready machines for critical validation programs.
- Case Example: For a major aircraft client, SDS supported a 2-year regulatory certification program by designing and building 26 custom test stands across 18 unique designs.
- Capabilities: Force-displacement characterization, high-voltage charge & discharge testing, hydraulic dynamometers, and vision-based metrology.
Assembly & Process Automation
We design semi-automated and fully automated cells to increase throughput. We handle the transition from manual R&D assembly to production-grade factory automation equipment.
- Process Integration: Precision dispensing of high-viscosity proteins, adhesive dispensing, UV curing, and complex part handling.
- Robotics: Custom end-effectors, gantry systems, image recognition, and pick-and-place integration.
R&D & Laboratory Systems
As an experienced custom machine builder, we provide rapid development of “first-of-kind” machines for research environments, including high-vacuum systems, precision fluid dispensing, and life-cycle durability testing.
Standards & Regulatory Compliance
SDS can engineer, wire, and document our systems to be fully compliant with major industry standards, ensuring your equipment passes field evaluations and safety audits.
- NFPA 79: Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery.
- NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC).
- UL508A: Standard for industrial control panels.
- IPC/WHMA-A-620: Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies.
Ready to Build?
From napkin sketches to factory floor deployment, let SDS handle the complexity of your next electromechanical build.