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Industry

Mechanical Engineering

Automation solutions for machine tools, special-purpose machinery and production lines — from handling to palletizing.

Context

Modular automation for the Mechanical Engineering industry

German and European mechanical engineering is under pressure: smaller batch sizes, more variants, shorter lead times and a persistent skilled-labour shortage. Traditional special-purpose machines with six-figure engineering costs are no longer an option for many applications.

Modular automation closes this gap: instead of engineering every task from scratch, we combine standardized NEXOS building blocks into a repeatable cell. This reduces engineering effort, lowers investment cost and makes systems scalable — from the first single-part automation to unmanned night shifts.

Exactly this approach makes automation economically attractive for smaller series and mid-sized manufacturers.

Challenges

What makes this industry challenging to automate

Shrinking batch sizes

What used to be calculated as a special-purpose machine with six-figure engineering effort must now remain economical for smaller series. Modular cells from the kit significantly reduce the cost of design and commissioning.

Skilled-labour shortage

Programmers, maintenance staff and operators are scarce. Standardized building blocks shorten onboarding — every cell follows the same operating logic, diagnostics and maintenance procedure.

Retrofit instead of new build

Existing systems are often still mechanically sound, but at their limits in terms of control and I/O. NEXOS cells can be attached to existing lines as an add-on — with open interfaces instead of vendor-specific protocols.

Typical applications

What NEXOS automates in the Mechanical Engineering industry

Relevant products

Components that make these applications possible

Why NEXOS for Mechanical Engineering

Three reasons for modularity in this industry

Repeatable instead of one-off

Every cell is based on standardized modules — what works today will also work on the next order with a different configuration.

Fast payback

No months of custom engineering. Configuration from the modular kit, installation and commissioning in weeks instead of quarters.

Future-proof and extensible

Digital services (NEXOS.DSP) and Digital Twin (NEXOS.XR) can be added later — investment protection and step-by-step digitalization.

How we work

From inquiry to running system in four steps

1

Analysis

Free initial discussion (30–60 min). We clarify the parts spectrum, cycle times, environmental conditions and integration into your existing IT/OT.

2

Concept

Component selection, layout, schedule, cost framework. On request with virtual commissioning in NEXOS.XR before manufacturing starts.

3

Quotation

Fixed-price or milestone contract, with clearly documented scope of delivery, acceptance criteria and maintenance options.

4

Implementation

Prefabrication in the workshop, on-site assembly, programming, acceptance per documented FAT/SAT. Optional: remote service via NEXOS.DSP.

Standards & Certifications

Relevant standards for the Mechanical Engineering industry

These regulations are considered in our conception, implementation and documentation. Not every standard applies to every project — the specific selection is clarified in the project kick-off meeting.

Machinery Directive 2006/42/ECCE declaration of conformity, risk assessment, operating manual. From 20 January 2027 replaced by the new Machinery Regulation EU 2023/1230.
DIN EN ISO 12100General design principles — risk assessment and risk reduction for machinery.
DIN EN ISO 13849-1Safety-related parts of control systems (SRP/CS). Performance Level PL a to PL e.
DIN EN 60204-1Electrical equipment of machines — requirements for wiring, protective measures and emergency stop.
IEC 62061Functional safety of safety-related electrical control systems (SIL levels).
BetrSichVGerman Industrial Safety Regulation — operator responsibility for safe use of work equipment.
Frequently asked

FAQ on automation in the Mechanical Engineering industry

At what production volume does automation pay off today?
The classic rule was "from 100,000 units/year". With modular kit-based cells, investments can be justified from 5,000 to 10,000 units — depending on cycle time, labour intensity and quality cost. A conversation with our application consulting clarifies the specific business case.
Does a NEXOS cell fit my existing plant?
Yes. We consistently rely on open interfaces — OPC UA, MQTT, PROFINET/EtherCAT, digital I/O — and avoid vendor-specific protocols. Integration with common PLC landscapes (Siemens, Beckhoff, Rockwell, Codesys) and MES systems is standard.
What is a typical payback period?
Empirical values in mechanical engineering: 18 to 36 months. Shorter for labour-intensive handling tasks or night shifts, longer for very small batch sizes. We calculate the business case together with you — including a 5-year TCO view.
Who maintains the system if we do not have our own service team?
We offer maintenance contracts with defined SLAs or remote service via NEXOS.DSP. In addition, our partner network provides regional on-site service. For the most common standard interventions we train your maintenance staff so you stay independent.

Discuss your application?

Talk to us about your specific automation task in Mechanical Engineering.

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