Hook-Up Engineering, a critical component within Industrial Engineering projects, ensures the safe and sustainable connection of equipment and that the manufacturing show goes on.
Advanced data analysis, increasing connectivity and intensified communication between complex equipment systems is the result of exponential growth in technological developments within the Electronics market. Consequently, design of equipment Hook-Up is critical in Industrial Engineering projects. Since everything is geared to speed and business continuity in manufacturing facilities, hook-up needs cannot disrupt existing production processes and infrastructure. Detailed design of complex systems and infrastructure connecting equipment within industrial plants should also ensure the safest and most sustainable equipment installation.
The show must go on
From chip factories to research institutes the name of the game is accelerating technological innovation while running specific processes. Equipment requires a range of support facilities, from the supply of special gases and chemicals, advanced extraction systems, treated water, robust electrical infrastructures, and high-quality data connections. Spaces may also need to be structurally modified to accommodate advanced devices or raising ceilings to accommodate the equipment, all the while maintaining essential cleanroom standards and ISO classes.
The synergy between Hook-Up Design & Industrial Engineering
This is where the complexity comes in for Hook-Up design. An integrated design approach combines structural, mechanical and electrical engineering. It is like working on a large puzzle with the main puzzle piece being Industrial Engineering. Whereas Industrial Engineering design moves from the bigger picture and only then to the detail, in Hook-up Engineering, we start with the details and how these fit for now into the future.
At Deerns, our Industrial Engineering and Hook-Up Engineering specialists work on complex plant issues, from new construction and expansion existing plants through to sustainability.
Key concerns for industrial engineering design are:
- The production processes in the factory
- How available space can be best designed to accommodate these
In Hook-up design our key concerns are the details:
- Which parts can we use within the existing plant?
- Which parts will a supplier provide?
- What, if any, additional installations are requisite for the equipment to operate?
Connection conundrums in constrained spaces
While industrial engineering and hook up engineering each have different vantage points, they also have a nexus. Both require creating and optimizing complex solutions while ensuring they remain manageable.
A prime example are space constraints on factory floors. Whereas the evolution of machines means we can produce more in smaller areas, up to 75% more equipment is being installed than the original design intent. Space for supporting infrastructure such as air ducts, electrics, gases, chemicals then becomes limited, increasing challenges for connecting this equipment.
Striking the balance between Optimisation, Safety & Sustainability
In hook-up engineering we also need to pay attention to safety requirements. For example, we work in the chemical industry where safety regulations are particularly stringent. Once all the equipment is in place, we not only ensure that systems and connections are compliant but that all safety risks are considered. Piping materials need to be safe and new equipment must be connected to the safety devices to ensure, for example, that gas and chemical leaks are detected at the key points
Our sustainablity consultants work closely with us to ensure your equipment hook-up is not only safe, but also operates in the most sustainable and cost-efficient way throughout your production process.
