Press-Side Automation Machines
Built for Throughput and Safety
True North designs and builds press-side automation machines that reduce manual handling, improve part consistency, and increase overall press utilization. Our solutions are engineered to integrate directly with your press environment and operate reliably in high-cycle production.
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Designed around press constraints and safety requirements
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Built for repeatability in high-cycle environments
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Engineered for serviceability and long-term reliability
Press-Side Focused Automation
Mechanical + Controls Integration
Built for Safety and Factory Compliance
Designed and Assembled in Michigan
Applications
We design and build press-side automation machines that handle part assembly, loading, marking, staging, and more. Our machines are tailored to your press, tooling, and part flow requirements—helping you reduce operator involvement while maintaining consistent cycle times.
Whether you’re automating a single press or improving part flow between multiple operations, we focus on building machines that are robust, safe, and practical to run on the production floor.
Insert Presentation
Pins, threaded inserts, plates, and other metal inserts can be tricky, especially done by hand. Insert presentation to a custom EOAT decreases cycle time and scrap.
Part Marking
Custom class 1 laser systems with a class 4 laser or pin prick stations allow for verification that parts were good out of the mold or parts which pass inspection after a process.
Sticker Additions
Labels or annealing stickers are a pain to remove from reels and can be tricky to align on parts. Vision-guided robotic or XY gantry systems allow for correct and inspected placement.
Bowl Feeding Applications
While typically used in tandem with insert presentation, True North is comfortable integrating bowl feeding technology and implementing it onto press-side machines.
Tray Presentation/Loading
Fixtures used to present empty trays to robots for loading allow for known quantities and locations of parts for further use.
Adhesive Foam Additions
Foam used for air seals, vibration prevention, or noise reduction can be tricky for consistent manual application. A press-side fixture next to the mold increases quality.
Assembly
Parts which use clips or screws can be assembled right next to the mold by either presenting the parts to-be-added manually or having a secondary press feed them in.
Press Side Machine Examples
1. Laser Marking
With part tracking and Industry 4.0 driving the need for more and more traceability we have integrated several press-side laser stations. These allow for parts to be traced back to the time, mold tool, and press it was made on.
Key Features:
- Code reading and grading after marking
- Fume extraction
- Communication to larger automation/data management software
2. Part Assembly
This machine presents parts to a recently injection-molded part for assembly. After the inserts are assembled, the finished parts are sent down a conveyor to be packed by an operator.
Key Features:
- Swappable custom conveyors for multiple part types
- Vision inspection
- Exterior guarding which can run with no conveyor presents for molds not part of the automated process
3. Magnet Additions
This machine was designed to degate a glass filled part and insert magnets in the proper polarity with a keeper.
Key Features:
- Large custom 3D prints for guiding and loading of magnets
- Docking to the mold so the fixture can be removed and returned into its proper position
- Part degating and assembly in one fixture
Deliverables
Part Drawings and CAD Files
Any part of the press-side equipment that is machined, printed, or modified will come with drawings and .step files for you to make replacements with. Typically, we upload these directly to a customer drive for easy access.
Assembly CAD
3D viewing of the machine and your press (if available) are provided for reference to plant managers and maintenance teams.
Controls Integration and Support
Controls engineers will be on site for press-side setup and runoff.
Documentation
Recommended maintenance on specific components, spare parts recommendations, and program files for any vision cameras, HMIs, PLCs, robots, and other components are provided. This is in addition to the individual part documentation.
Press-Side FAQs
How long does press-side design and build take?
Our standard timing for a press-side machine is about 14-16 weeks. Expedited machines have been made in 9-10 weeks when projects demand it.
How many press-side machines have been built by True North?
True North has made several dozen of press-side machines with a wide range of applications. Because each press-side machine is custom, our learned experience in the area is deep.
What do you need to quote an Press-Side project?
For a press-side quote some of the essential items are estimated volumes, cycle time, part and mold data, and component standards for the factory such as preferred PLC brands and bolt standards.