Bespoke Machine Frame Design & Integrated Safety Guarding
Bespoke aluminium machine frames, safety guarding and access systems engineered for reliability, flexibility and seamless integration into modern automated production environments.
Bespoke Machine Frames Built Around Your Process
Every automated system begins with a strong foundation. At Curtis Assemble & Test, we design and manufacture bespoke machine frames and integrated guarding systems that provide the structural backbone for testing, assembly, inspection and production equipment.
With more than 25 years of experience designing aluminium extrusion frames and safety guarding, we create robust, modular structures tailored to each customer’s production requirements. Whether supporting hydraulic leak testing, vision inspection, robotic assembly or conveyor integration, every frame is engineered for long-term reliability, operator safety and future adaptability.
Designed for Strength, Flexibility & Future Expansion
Our modular aluminium frame systems provide significant advantages over traditional fabricated steel structures.
Designed using high-quality extruded aluminium profiles, they offer exceptional strength whilst remaining lightweight, corrosion resistant and easily adaptable throughout the machine’s life.
Because welding is not required, distortion is eliminated and additional equipment can be incorporated quickly without costly modifications.
Features
- Bespoke aluminium extrusion frame design
- Lightweight yet highly robust construction
- Corrosion-resistant materials
- No welding distortion
- Easy future expansion and modification
- Modular accessories and mounting options
- Professional integrated finishing trims
Integrated Machine Guarding & Operator Safety
Every guarding solution is designed alongside the machine itself, ensuring safety, accessibility and productivity work together from day one.
Our guarding systems comply with modern machine safety requirements whilst maintaining excellent operator access for loading, unloading, maintenance and changeovers.
Options include:
- Hinged access doors
- Horizontal sliding doors
- Vertical sliding guards
- Manual or automatic operation
- Safety interlocking systems
- Safety light curtains
- Open guarding where appropriate
- Ergonomic operator access
- Conveyor integration
- Drawer exchange systems
This allows every solution to be configured around the production process rather than forcing production to fit a standard enclosure.
Designed Around Your Production Environment
Different manufacturing processes require different guarding strategies.
Where vision inspection systems require controlled lighting conditions, specialised tinted panels can be incorporated into the enclosure. Laser marking and UV applications can utilise transparent protective screens that maintain visibility whilst protecting operators.
Our engineering team considers every aspect of the production environment, including:
- Optical inspection
- Lighting control
- Operator ergonomics
- Material flow
- Throughput optimisation
- Maintenance access
- Safety compliance
Every machine frame is designed specifically around the application rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
50+ Years
Engineering Excellence
Worldwide Installations
UK, Europe, USA, Asia & Middle East
Bespoke Designs
Every Machine Unique
Designed & Built In-House
Mechanical, Electrical & Software
Every CAT machine frame and guarding solution is engineered to provide the strength, safety, and flexibility required for modern automated manufacturing. From simple standalone workstations to complex production lines with integrated conveyors, robotics, vision inspection, and testing equipment, each structure is designed specifically around the customer’s process, operational requirements, and available workspace.
Our modular engineering approach enables us to tailor frame construction, guarding systems, access arrangements, and safety features to every application. The result is a robust, future-proof platform that not only protects operators and equipment but also supports efficient production, straightforward maintenance, and the flexibility to accommodate future upgrades or process changes.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Automated component pressing plays a critical role in modern manufacturing where precision, repeatability, and traceability cannot be compromised. Typical applications include:
Machine Frames &
Workstations
Bespoke structural frames designed to support automated machinery, operator workstations, and standalone production equipment.
Safety Guarding
& Enclosures
Protective guarding and enclosed machine structures engineered to improve operator safety while maintaining excellent accessibility.
Robot &
Automation Cells
Rigid machine frameworks designed to integrate industrial robots, vision systems, conveyors, and automated assembly equipment.
Conveyor & Material
Handling Systems
Engineered support structures for conveyors, pallet handling, product transfer, and fully integrated production lines.
Modular
Production Lines
Flexible modular frame systems designed for future expansion, process changes, and scalable manufacturing layouts.
Special Purpose
Machinery
Custom-engineered frames built around unique manufacturing processes, specialist equipment, and customer-specific production requirements..
Industries We Support
As with CAT’s other engineering solutions, our machine frame and guarding systems are designed for demanding manufacturing environments across multiple sectors.
We regularly support organisations within:
- Automotive – Machine frames and integrated guarding for automated assembly, leak testing, inspection systems, and high-volume production lines.
- Medical & Electronics – Clean, modular frame designs supporting precision assembly, inspection, and testing of sensitive, high-value components.
- Defence - Secure, durable machine structures engineered for specialist manufacturing, inspection, and testing applications where reliability is critical.
- Precision Engineering - Flexible modular frames and ergonomic guarding solutions supporting bespoke manufacturing, machining, and quality inspection processes.
- Aerospace – Precision-engineered frames and safety enclosures for demanding manufacturing processes requiring accuracy, repeatability, and full operator protection.
- Hydraulics & Pneumatics – Robust machine frames and guarding systems for hydraulic testing, valve assembly, flow measurement, and high-pressure production equipment.
- Industrial Automation - Complete machine frames with integrated guarding, conveyors, robotics, and safety systems for fully automated production cells.
- General Manufacturing - Custom-built machine frames and guarding designed to improve safety, productivity, and long-term flexibility across a wide range of industrial applications.
WHAT WE CAN DELIVER
- Bespoke aluminium machine frames
- Integrated safety guarding
- Conveyor integration
- Light curtain protection
- Safety interlocking systems
- Manual and automatic access systems
- Vision inspection enclosures
- Modular expandable frame systems
- Production line integration
- Complete turnkey installation
Machine Frame & Guarding Gallery
Every Curtis Assemble & Test frame is engineered around the customer’s process, safety requirements, and available production space. Below are examples of bespoke machine frames, guarding systems, operator access solutions, and integrated production cells delivered for customers across multiple industries.
Discuss Your Machine Frame & Guarding Requirements
Whether you’re developing a prototype press station or integrating a full in-line cell, our engineers can help specify the right solution for your application.
Talk to Our Pressing & Joining Engineers
We’ll help define the correct pressing architecture, force/fit strategy, and data requirements for your application.
Why Choose CAT?
☑️ Proven expertise in precision pressing, joining, and component assembly.
☑️ Servo, pneumatic, and hydraulic platforms for a wide range of force requirements.
☑️ Integrated force–distance monitoring and curve validation for quality-critical parts
☑️ Fully traceable data capture for audit, SPC, and continuous improvement programs.
☑️ Bespoke tooling, fixturing, and workholding engineered in-house.
☑️ Scalable architectures from manual stations to in-line automated press cells
☑️ Seamless integration with vision, robotics, and factory control systems
☑️ End-to-end engineering support from concept through to commissioning and lifecycle support.
☑️Trusted by leading manufacturers across automotive, aerospace, and high-precision industries.
☑️ Over 50 years of automation and assembly experience across regulated and high-precision industries.
Real-World Performance, Real-World Trust
Machine Frames & Guarding FAQs
What materials do you use to manufacture machine frames?
CAT designs and builds bespoke machine frames primarily using high-strength aluminium profile systems, selected for their rigidity, flexibility and ease of future modification. Where applications demand it, we also incorporate fabricated steel structures and specialist materials to meet load, environmental and production requirements.
Can CAT design guarding to meet CE and UKCA safety requirements?
Yes. Every guarding system is designed with operator safety as a priority and can incorporate safety interlocks, light curtains, access doors, emergency stops and other protective devices to support compliance with applicable machinery safety standards.
Can CAT retrofit guarding to existing machinery?
Absolutely. We regularly upgrade existing production equipment by designing and installing bespoke guarding systems, safety interlocks and machine frame modifications. Retrofitting can improve operator safety, extend machine life and help existing equipment meet current production requirements without replacing the entire machine.
Can machine frames be modified or expanded in the future?
Yes. Our modular machine frame designs are engineered with future expansion in mind. Additional guarding, automation modules, conveyors, inspection equipment and production stations can often be incorporated as your manufacturing requirements evolve.
Do you only build frames for machines designed by CAT?
No. We manufacture bespoke machine frames and guarding systems for both CAT-designed automation equipment and customer-owned machinery. Whether you require a completely new machine frame or an upgrade to an existing production line, we can provide a solution tailored to your application.
What industries use CAT machine frames and guarding systems?
Our bespoke machine frames and guarding systems are used across automotive, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, industrial manufacturing and many other sectors where robust, safe and reliable automation equipment is essential.
Can CAT integrate machine frames with conveyors, robots and automation equipment?
Yes. Our bespoke machine frames are designed as complete production platforms and can be integrated with conveyors, robotic systems, vision inspection equipment, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, safety guarding and automated assembly machinery to create a fully integrated manufacturing solution.
Why choose CAT for bespoke machine frames and guarding?
With over 50 years of engineering experience, CAT provides complete in-house design, manufacture, assembly and commissioning. Every machine frame and guarding system is tailored to your production requirements, ensuring robust construction, operator safety, future flexibility and long-term reliability.
READY TO DISCUSS YOUR PRESSING & JOINING REQUIREMENTS?
Our in-house team can support everything from prototype development to fully automated in-line pressing systems with integrated validation and traceability.