Custom Solutions

Custom engineering fundamentally differs from product selection or adaptation. It’s applying engineering principles to develop application-specific solutions where conventional approaches prove inadequate. For measurement systems in Nevada’s harsh environments, this means:

• Force Path Analysis: Detailed evaluation of how forces actually transmit through mechanical systems under operating conditions, not just theoretical load paths.
• Environmental Impact Mapping: Quantification of how temperature cycles, moisture exposure, dust contamination, and other factors affect measurement integrity in specific applications.
• Vibration Profiling: Identification of frequency components that create resonance or fatigue cycling in measurement systems, then developing isolation or filtering strategies to maintain signal integrity.
• Signal Integrity Engineering: Comprehensive evaluation of the entire measurement chain from mechanical sensing through signal conditioning to final data presentation, identifying and eliminating error sources throughout the system.

For Nevada industries operating in extreme environments—from high-altitude mining operations with temperature variations exceeding 70°F daily to material processing with caustic chemical exposure—this engineering approach delivers measurement systems that maintain specified accuracy despite conditions that would rapidly degrade commercial products.

The Role of Specialized Engineering in Industrial Applications

Look, a custom design engineer isn’t just someone who tweaks catalog products—they fundamentally rethink measurement problems from first principles. When standard approaches fail despite multiple attempts at “upgrading” components, that’s when real engineering starts.

We focus specifically on force measurement and weighing systems where environmental factors, mounting constraints, or operational dynamics create conditions that standard products simply weren’t designed to handle. The key difference is our problem-solving approach:

1. We start with application physics, not product catalogs
2. We analyze actual error sources rather than simply upgrading specifications
3. We engineer complete systems rather than focusing on individual components
4. We verify performance under real-world conditions, not just laboratory settings

This approach particularly matters in Nevada applications where environmental extremes combine with critical operational requirements. Mining operations can’t tolerate measurement systems that drift with temperature or fail prematurely due to dust infiltration. Construction and material processing can’t function efficiently with weighing systems that require constant recalibration due to vibration sensitivity or structural flexing.

Our comprehensive service process starts with requirements capture & analysis, design drawings for approval, custom engineering with 3D and finite element analysis and simulation, and fabrication drawings and testing requirements. This systematic approach ensures that every solution we create precisely addresses the specific challenges of your application.

Why does fabrication quality matter so much in measurement systems? Because force transmission paths fundamentally depend on mechanical precision. Minor machining variations, improper material selection, or inadequate heat treatment can transform a theoretically sound design into an unreliable field installation.

Our custom fabrication capabilities include:

• CNC Milling and Turning: Temperature-controlled machining environments with toolpath optimization for critical dimensions affecting strain distribution and signal generation.
• Material Selection Beyond Specifications: Rather than simply specifying “stainless steel,” we select specific alloys and heat treatments based on elastic properties, fatigue resistance, and environmental compatibility—critical factors for Nevada applications with extreme temperature cycling and potential chemical exposure.
• Environmental Protection Systems: Application-specific sealing methods and protective coatings designed for particular exposure conditions rather than generic environmental ratings that often prove inadequate in Nevada’s harsh industrial environments.

This fabrication focus delivers measurement systems with mechanical integrity that maintains force transmission accuracy despite thermal cycling, structural flexing, and environmental exposure that typically degrades commercial systems within months of field deployment.

The performance of force measurement systems often depends on dimensional relationships maintained to tolerances far stricter than standard industrial machining. Key aspects include:

• Strain Section Optimization: Precisely controlled dimensions in force-sensing elements where variations of 0.001″ can significantly affect measurement characteristics and long-term stability.
• Surface Finish Control: Specialized finishing operations for strain gauge mounting surfaces where micro-texture affects bonding integrity and measurement stability under thermal cycling.
• Geometric Tolerancing: Complex relationships between multiple surfaces that affect force transmission paths and signal generation under various loading conditions.
• Heat Treatment Sequencing: Controlled thermal processing between machining operations to minimize residual stress while optimizing material properties for specific application requirements.

Nevada’s mining and industrial applications present particular challenges for these precision operations due to the heavy-duty nature of equipment operating in extreme environments. Our machining approach balances ultra-precision in critical areas with robust construction methods appropriate for field deployment in these demanding conditions.

See our engineering process in action

Conventional weighing systems fundamentally assume controlled environments and ideal loading conditions—assumptions that rarely hold in Nevada’s industrial settings. Our engineering innovations address the realities of field deployment:

• Multi-Vector Force Analysis: Strain gauge configurations that measure primary force components while rejecting off-axis loading induced by thermal expansion, structural flexing, or operational dynamics.
• Thermal Gradient Compensation: Advanced temperature monitoring and correction algorithms that address non-uniform temperature distribution across mechanical systems—a common issue in Nevada’s outdoor installations with direct sun exposure.
• Resonant Frequency Mapping: Identification and mitigation of frequency-specific vibration components that create measurement errors at particular operational speeds or process conditions.
• Environmental Isolation Systems: Specialized protection methods for both sensing elements and signal conditioning electronics, addressing specific contaminants and exposure conditions rather than relying on generic IP ratings.

These innovations translate directly to industrial weighing systems that maintain accuracy in applications where standard solutions drift out of tolerance within months—from mining trucks operating in extreme temperature variations to process vessels subjected to thermal cycling and vibration from nearby equipment.

Selecting an engineering partner represents a critical decision with long-term implications for operational reliability and performance. Key differentiators in our approach include:

• Application-Specific Analysis: Rather than starting with product selection, we analyze your specific operational challenges, environmental conditions, and performance requirements to identify the actual engineering problems that must be addressed.
• First-Principles Problem Solving: When conventional approaches fail, we return to fundamental engineering principles to develop novel solutions rather than simply upgrading components within flawed system architectures.
• Environmental Performance Focus: Our design and validation processes emphasize sustained performance under actual field conditions, not just initial accuracy in controlled environments—particularly important for Nevada’s extreme industrial conditions.
• Integration Expertise: We understand that measurement systems must function within larger operational contexts, providing appropriate interfaces, data formats, and control system compatibility specific to your existing infrastructure.

Nevada’s unique industrial landscape—from high-altitude mining to desert processing operations—demands engineering partners who understand the specific challenges presented by these environments. Our experience with extreme conditions and critical measurement applications provides the foundation for solutions that deliver reliable performance where standard approaches consistently fall short.