Trying to find the best quality and value?
When vetting contractors and sourcing bids, you aim to save time and money, that’s just good business! However, if you’re planning a machine foundation installation, do you know exactly what’s needed?
If not, it could end up costing you unnecessary time and money. Avoid this by using our comprehensive list of questions to address before starting the installation.
What Should You Know Before a Machine Foundation Installation?
Over the last 30 years there have been many changes in how parts manufacturers, metal stampers, metal forgers, production facilities, and other industrial companies get bids for machine foundations and other construction jobs.
At one time, companies consulted with the operations and plant managers. They worked in the plant so they knew quite a bit about what's needed when installing new machine foundations. This knowledge ensured they got the most complete and accurate bids from vendors. These days, more and more finance officers and purchasing managers handle the whole bidding process. Sure, they know the basics of what is needed and have a budget, but they often don’t have the same level of operations knowledge as the operations and plant managers.
That might not seem like a big change, but it can result in time and cost overruns or unnecessary delays in furnishing complete bids. There’s nothing worse than getting what you think is a “low” bid that ends up not including all the work needed because the right questions weren’t asked.
An Accurate Bid Depends on Understanding Your Exact Machine Foundation Installation Needs
You want the job done fast and done right.
But even if you’re the plant manager, the truth is, if you’re not in the machine foundation installation business you probably aren't aware of all the construction requirements.
Why would you? You have other responsibilities to handle.
As far as installing a machine foundation goes, it's not just digging and pouring. Every job is unique and every plant has their own constraints. A highly reputable company knows the importance of asking the right questions when requesting proposals and quotes. That way, they can give you a bid and timeline that gets your job done on time and on budget.
No matter if you’re in purchasing, finance, operations or engineering knowing the answers to these questions will go a long way in getting the right bid, the right vendor and the right job done.
Here's a series of checklists that pose the most important questions:
Checklist #1
- What type of equipment are you installing?
- Do you have new stamping press?
- Is it a milling or boring machine?
- What about a measuring machine?
Checklist #2
Determine the type of application for the equipment being used used. The different types of applications include:
- Stamping
- Try-out press
- Heavy stamping
- Production stamping
- Forging
- Machining
- Low tolerance fine milling
- Rough milling
Checklist #3
The questions on this checklist dig deeper into the requirements for the job:
- Where will the equipment be located within your facility?
- Will you have proper clearances to accommodate the equipment?
- Will existing building column footings interfere with new install?
- Will there be enough power and utilities in place to operate the new equipment?
- How will you bring new utilities to the equipment?
- Will your electrical be overhead, floor trenching with cover plates or through an underground conduit?
This information is vital to keeping your operations running smoothly during and after installation.
Checklist #4
You’ll want to share any manufacturer drawings of the new equipment with the company handling the installation. These include:
- General assembly drawing
- Recommended foundation drawing
- Associated equipment drawings
Having a complete understanding of the equipment inside and out will lead to a more successful machine foundation installation.
Checklist #5
The final set of questions include:
- Can the new machine sit on top of the floor slab itself?
- Will a simple thickened slab be sufficient?
- Will a recessed pit foundation be needed?
- Will there be material scrap that needs to be handled?
- Can scrap be handled at floor level in hoppers or will an underground conveyor system be needed?
Some of these questions may seem obvious, but not asking the obvious questions can cost time and money on even the “easiest” construction jobs!
Are You Ready?
If a machine foundation installation is on your horizon, look for a team who will help you ask all the right questions. You’ll want them to work directly with the equipment manufacturer and your company to construct a foundation specifically tailored to your plant and new equipment.
Contact us today to ask our engineering team any questions you have about installing machine foundations or request a proposal for an upcoming construction job.
