Machinery Frames & Equipment Skids
Fabricated bases and load-bearing frames developed around machinery loads, stiffness, equipment mounting, lifting, transport, access and installation requirements.
Industrial structural engineering
Heavy StructuralEngineering forIndustrial Equipment
Design and validation of machinery frames, equipment skids, automation supports, access structures, heavy weldments and structural retrofits. Fabrixon develops each structure around the operating loads, stiffness requirements, equipment interfaces and intended manufacturing route.
Loads & restraintsFrames & weldmentsCalculations & FEADrawings & handover
DESIGNED AROUND REAL LOADSLoad paths, stiffness and equipment interfaces resolved together.Clearer decisions. Controlled deflection. Fewer late changes.
50+ Years
Combined Experience
Machinery, structural steelwork, weldments, validation and manufacturing documentation
60+
Projects Delivered
Structural frames, equipment supports, platforms and engineering programmes
6
Core Structural Capabilities
Frames, skids, supports, platforms, heavy weldments and structural upgrades
5
Engineering Stages
From load definition through controlled structural engineering handover
Structural engineering capabilities
Industrial structureswe engineer
From a machinery base or equipment skid to an elevated handling structure or structural retrofit, the engineering is developed around real operating loads, stiffness, stability, interfaces, access and the intended fabrication and installation route.
Integrated structural engineering programme
One structural basis from load definition to manufacturing handover
Loads, restraints, structural architecture, member sizing, joints, interfaces and validation are developed around the same equipment duty. CAD, calculations, FEA where required, drawings, BOMs and revision information remain aligned as the structure develops.
Load definition Structural architecture Detailed design Validation Manufacturing documentation
Automation & Material Handling Structures
Support steelwork for automated equipment, conveyors, lifts, towers and elevated machinery where structural movement can affect system performance.
Platforms, Supports & Access Structures
Industrial platforms, support frames, crossovers and access steelwork integrated with equipment, maintenance routes, guarding boundaries and available space.
Heavy Weldments & Structural Assemblies
Load-bearing fabricated assemblies developed around force transfer, weld access, local reinforcement, distortion control, tolerances and assembly sequence.
Trailer Chassis & Mobile Equipment Structures
Chassis, subframes and mobile structures developed around payload, coupling, suspension interfaces and agreed operating, transport and service load cases.
Structural Retrofits & Capacity Upgrades
Assessment and redesign of installed equipment structures requiring reinforcement, revised interfaces, increased duty or controlled modification.
Common structural risks
Where structural projects get stuck
Structural work becomes difficult when the real duty, restraint conditions, stiffness criteria, joints or existing condition are not converted into a defensible engineering basis before detailed design progresses.
The real loads and restraints are not yet defined
Equipment mass may be known while process forces, acceleration, impact, transport, anchoring or credible load combinations remain uncertain.
The structure may be strong enough but too flexible
Movement can affect machine alignment, tooling, robot accuracy, conveyor tracking, sealing, product transfer or fatigue performance.
Structural and equipment interfaces do not coordinate
Mounting points, base plates, guards, mechanisms, services, access and installation details can compete for the same space or load path.
An existing structure must carry a changed duty
Added equipment, increased throughput, revised operating loads, site modifications or damage concerns can make the remaining structural capacity uncertain.
Engineering approach
How we engineerheavy structures
Useful structural engineering connects the real operating duty to the load path, stiffness, joints, validation evidence and manufacturing information rather than treating the steel model or FEA result as the final answer.
Define duty, loads and acceptance criteria
Equipment mass, process forces, acceleration, impact, maintenance, transport, lifting, support conditions, allowable movement and project-specific criteria.
Develop the structural architecture
Primary load paths, frame arrangement, sections, bracing, supports, base conditions, equipment interfaces, access and installation constraints.
Detail members, joints and interfaces
Plates, sections, gussets, weldments, bolted joints, base plates, anchors, mounting points, tolerances and fabrication access.
Validate critical structural behaviour
Hand calculations, stiffness checks and FEA where geometry, local stress, deflection, buckling, fatigue or dynamic behaviour require deeper evidence.
Document and hand over
CAD, drawings, BOMs, load definitions, calculations, validation reports, assumptions, revisions and supplier information issued as one controlled package.
Selected structural work
Engineering appliedto real structuralproblems
Selected structural engineering projects covering modular work platforms, industrial warehouse racking and trailer chassis design.
Heavy Structural Engineering
Modular Industrial Work Platform
Modular elevated industrial work platform using repeated braced steel frames, panelised anti slip floor cassettes, bolted interfaces and perimeter guardrail modules.
View case study
Heavy Structural Engineering
Industrial Warehouse Rack Structural Design
Structural design of a multi bay, multi level warehouse rack system with repeated load paths, braced upright frames, deck supports, anchored bases and rack end protection.
View case study
Trailer Design and Engineering
40 ft Gooseneck Trailer Chassis Structural Design
Structural design of a 40 ft gooseneck flatbed trailer chassis developed around a 30,000 lb GVWR, continuous load paths, local reinforcement and manufacturing documentation.
View case studySpecialist engineering review
What the Structural EngineeringReview Examines
Structural work is reviewed through the behaviour of the equipment and the fabrication route, not as an isolated steel model. The objective is to challenge the assumptions most likely to change the design decision.
Duty, restraints and credible combinations
Review of where loads originate, how they enter the structure, which supports and restraints are active, and which operating, transport or maintenance events should govern.
Strength, stiffness, stability and durability
Review of critical members, local regions, joints, deflection, buckling, fatigue or vibration according to the agreed engineering question.
Fabrication, interfaces and traceable evidence
Review of weld access, tolerances, assembly route, mounting interfaces, assumptions, revision status and the documentation needed by suppliers and adjacent teams.
Typical deliverables
A controlled structural engineering package
Outputs are agreed around the equipment duty, analysis depth and manufacturing route so structural models, calculations, validation evidence and fabrication information remain aligned for review and handover.
CAD · drawings · calculations · FEA · BOMs · revision control
Structural CAD Models & Assemblies
Frames, skids, supports, platforms, weldments, chassis structures and agreed native or neutral CAD outputs.
Manufacturing & Assembly Drawings
Member, plate, weldment and assembly drawings with agreed dimensions, tolerances, joint information and revision status.
BOMs & Material Schedules
Structural sections, plates, material grades, manufactured items, purchased hardware and relevant supplier references.
Load Cases & Engineering Calculations
Load definitions, assumptions, load combinations, member checks, joint checks and calculation records where included in the agreed scope.
FEA & Structural Validation Reports
Boundary conditions, mesh information, stress, deflection, buckling, fatigue or other agreed results with interpretation and recommendations where required.
Interface, Revision & Manufacturing Handover Records
Equipment mounting, support and anchor information, assumptions, open actions, change records and clarification notes for downstream teams.
How engagements work
From structural requirement to controlled handover
A clear engagement path keeps the operating duty, load basis, interfaces, analysis depth and required outputs defined without turning the page into a process manual.
Share the requirement
Send the equipment arrangement, CAD, drawings, photographs, known loads, calculations, site information or existing structural details.
Scope the engineering basis
Agree duty, loads, restraints, acceptance criteria, interfaces, assumptions, required analysis, outputs, review points and responsibilities.
Design, calculate and validate
Engineering progresses through defined technical reviews, with load path, stiffness, joint, FEA and fabrication issues raised as they surface.
Controlled handover
Models, drawings, calculations, validation evidence, BOMs and agreed records are issued under revision control with supplier clarification support as scoped.
Useful starting inputs: equipment arrangement, component masses, operating forces, acceleration or impact data, support and restraint locations, allowable deflection, mounting interfaces, transport or lifting conditions, existing CAD or drawings and known project criteria.
Buyer questions
Heavy Structural Engineering FAQ
Direct answers to the technical and commercial questions that most often determine whether an industrial structural project can be scoped correctly.
What does heavy structural engineering for industrial equipment include?
The scope can include machinery frames, equipment skids, automation and conveyor support structures, platforms, heavy weldments, chassis structures, structural retrofits, load case definition, member and joint design, calculations, FEA, manufacturing drawings, BOMs and revision records. The exact package depends on the equipment, operating duty, available information and responsibilities agreed for the project.
What information is needed to design a machinery frame or equipment skid?
Useful starting information includes the equipment arrangement, component masses, operating forces, acceleration, impact or vibration data, support and restraint locations, allowable deflection, mounting interfaces, access requirements, transport or lifting conditions, material preferences and any CAD models, drawings or photographs. Missing inputs are identified and recorded during the initial engineering review.
How are structural load cases and factors of safety defined?
Load cases are developed from the real operating conditions, including self weight, equipment loads, process forces, acceleration, impact, maintenance, transport and other credible events. The calculation method, load combinations, allowable stress or factor of safety criteria and any project specific code requirements are agreed during scoping. Conservative assumptions are documented where confirmed data is not yet available.
When are hand calculations sufficient, and when is FEA required?
Hand calculations are often appropriate for initial sizing, simple beams, columns, plates, bolts and clearly defined load paths. FEA becomes more useful where geometry, load transfer, joints, contact, local stress, deflection, buckling, fatigue or dynamic behaviour cannot be represented reliably with simple methods. Fabrixon selects the level of analysis needed for the design decision rather than applying FEA to every component by default.
Can Fabrixon assess or strengthen an existing equipment structure?
Yes. Fabrixon can review available drawings, measurements, photographs, material information and revised load requirements to assess the affected members, joints and interfaces. The scope can include calculation or FEA review, reinforcement concepts, replacement details, updated drawings and controlled change records. Site verification and material confirmation requirements are identified during scoping.
Can Fabrixon certify or approve the structural design?
Fabrixon provides structural design, calculations, FEA, drawings and engineering evidence within the agreed scope. Where a project or jurisdiction requires a registered, chartered or locally licensed engineer to stamp calculations, approve building interfaces or issue statutory certification, that responsibility must be assigned to an appropriately authorised professional or approval body.
How much does heavy structural engineering cost, and how long does it take?
Cost and duration depend on the quality of the starting information, number of load cases, structural complexity, existing condition work, calculation and FEA depth, drawing requirements, review cycles and project interfaces. A defined frame or retrofit may be shorter than a larger multi structure programme. Scope, assumptions, programme and commercial basis are confirmed in writing before work begins.
Start with the engineering question
Discuss Your Structural Engineering Project
Share your structure, load case or capacity concern. An engineer will review the available information, identify the critical loads, interfaces and missing inputs, and define the most practical engineering scope for your project.
Engineer reviewedYour enquiry goes to the engineering team, not a generic sales queue.
Brief is enoughYou do not need a complete technical specification to start the conversation.
Engineering enquiryTell us what you need help with.