Imagine your production line is performing at 100% efficiency, with every process running like clockwork, with no unexpected downtime in your manufacturing process, no quality issues, just pure production efficiency. That is the power of engineering done right. But getting to that point requires more than just good intentions. Often, it takes more than just the technical expertise of your employees; it takes the support of skilled engineering contractors who know how to turn your projects into highly functioning machines.
Whether you’re looking to optimize a single automation system, perform a KIT change on an older automated system, or update a new automation operation, using the right consultant can make all the difference in transforming your equipment into mass production efficiency.
Not sure where to find the best engineering contractors for your job? In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about engineering consulting services, including the process, benefits, and steps on how to find the top engineering consultants in the industry.
What is engineering consulting?
Engineering consultants are professional engineers who companies hire temporarily to make sure the manufacturing and production systems are as efficient as possible. They can help with concept designs, equipment installing, and supporting production so your teams can focus on working in different areas of need. Here’s a closer look at what they actually do:
Concept And Design:
Industrial automation contractors can help design an engineered system that fits your specific technical needs. They pick out the right automation technologies, whether it’s robotics, sensors, or control systems, and make sure everything will run perfectly with your existing setup or future system requirements.
Installation And Integration:
Once the system design and layout are configured and the equipment arrives, these engineering consultants can start working on installing and integrating the new equipment. They will help with setting up the automated machinery, wiring components together, and programming the programmable logic control (PLC) systems and industrial robots. These consultants can handle the setup to get your system up and running without issues.
Maintenance And Production Support:
After the installation, the consultant will often help support automated systems to keep them in top shape through regular maintenance and troubleshooting during production startup. Depending on the client’s needs, they will come in for routine maintenance check-ups, software updates, cycle time adjustments, and fix any recurring issues to prevent future downtime and keep your production line running smoothly.
Upgrades And Optimization:
As the years go by, your technology will become quickly outdated, and your processes will need a refresh. Consultants can step in to assess your current setup and recommend KIT changes or upgrades that’ll boost your efficiency and productivity. Engineering consultants can work on these optimizations while your staff continues to work uninterrupted with supporting the current production line.
Training And Documentation:
Sometimes, engineering consultants will offer industrial automation training services to their clients so your engineering and maintenance staff knows how to operate and maintain the new automation systems. This can include PLC, robot, maintenance, or service training, that can help your staff take full advantage of the newly installed technology. Oftentimes, they can provide all the necessary documentation or create specialized controlled documents or manuals for your new setup.
Compliance And Safety:
Engineering consultants can work with your Environment Health and Safety (EHS) department to review safety protocols to meet engineering standards and governing safety regulations. This means you’re getting a system that works efficiently, is safe for your employees, and is compliant with legal requirements.
What are engineering consulting services?
Engineering consulting services involve getting expert advice on how to integrate engineered programs into your business efficiently. These consultants start by closely examining your current manual and automated operations to spot areas where new or more advanced engineering could make a difference. Once they’ve identified those opportunities, they’ll recommend the right technologies tailored to the company’s needs and help plan out the integration support so everything works efficiently.
They are also there to support you afterward, whether it’s through training your team or offering ongoing production support. Many times, they can even assist with quality concerns and show your teams how to make the products better.
The top 5 signs you need engineering consultants:
Knowing when to bring in engineering consultants can make a big difference in how well your operations will run. Here are some of my top five signs that it might be time to call in these types of engineering professionals:
- Frequent Downtime: If your production line is constantly coming to a standstill because of equipment issues or other hiccups, it’s probably time to consider a change. Frequent downtime isn’t just frustrating; it can also be pretty costly, both in lost production and the ripple effect it has on the rest of your operation downstream. This is where contract engineers come in. They can work on the systems and solutions to better troubleshoot issues or help with cycle time adjustments. This helps reduce the chances of future breakdowns and cuts down on unexpected downtime in production.
- Inconsistent Product Quality: When it comes to product quality, consistency is the key factor. If you’re noticing that the quality of your products are not always meeting your specifications or industry standards, it might be a sign that you need some help. Engineering consulting services can make a big difference for your company. By standardizing your engineering processes, this ensures that each product meets the same high-quality standards that your customers demand of your products. It takes the guesswork out of production, leading to fewer mistakes and a more reliable output.
- Rising Labor Costs: Labor costs are one of the biggest expenses for any business, and like many things nowadays, they are on the rise, so it might be time to look at automation as a solution to help reduce some costs without having to hire more people. Automating certain job responsibilities from employees can help you cut down on labor costs while still maintaining, or even improving efficiency. Using the right engineering consulting services group, companies can now figure out which parts of the process are best suited for automation, helping the company save money in the long run.
- Slow Production Times: If your company is having trouble keeping up with production demand because your cycle time is too slow, automation could be the answer. Slow production cycle times can lead to missed deadlines and unhappy customers, which no business wants. Consultant engineers can jump in temperately to help speed things up by supporting your processes, which, in turn, allows your teams to focus on their normal daily job activities. This helps companies maintain their current production demand without stressing the team with excessive overtime or projects that are outside their technical competency levels, while keeping companies from overstretching their current resources.
- Complex Operations: As a company grows, business operations naturally get more complex. But with complexity often comes new challenges, like managing all the new moving parts without incurring errors or operational inefficiencies. If you’re starting to feel like your processes are getting too complicated to handle, it might be time to bring in the engineering experts. These contract engineers can simplify your operations by automating those complex tasks, which can reduce the chances of mistakes and make everything run much more effectively.
Find engineering consulting services with JOINER Services.
Investing in added labor support can feel like a big step, but with the right consultant supporting your project, it can be an incredible move for your business. Whether you’re looking to increase productivity in a specific engineered process or overhaul your entire engineering operation, partnering with an experienced contractor helps ensure that everything is done with precision and care.
But it’s not just about getting the job done. You have to do it right! The right engineering consultant brings more than just their technical expertise, they bring a commitment to quality to make sure your automated systems are not only efficient but also safe and compliant.
Where can you find the perfect consultant for the job?
Check out JOINER Services, a platform beaming with experienced technicians, controls engineers, robot programmers, and expert engineering consultants. Using JOINER Services, you’re not just finding a consultant. You’re connecting with experts who are perfectly aligned with your project’s specific engineering needs.
Join today and start browsing through their list of top industry professionals who can help bring your engineered vision to life!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below, I discuss some FAQs about engineering consulting services.
