PMT provides professional Production Line Planning services that combine our aerospace-grade machine tool technology, advanced 5 Axis CNC Machines, machining centers, turning platforms, automation systems and process engineering into well-structured, efficient and scalable manufacturing lines. Rather than treating machines as isolated assets, we design complete production flows—optimised for takt time, floor space, flexibility, quality and lifecycle cost—to support high-performance manufacturing in aerospace, energy, automotive, medical, mold & die and general engineering industries.

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From Part Requirements To Line Concept

Effective line planning begins with a deep understanding of the workpieces and business targets, not with a catalog of machines. PMT starts every project by analysing:

• Part families, geometries, tolerances and critical features
• Materials, machining allowances and required surface qualities
• Annual volumes, batch sizes, takt time and mix of variants
• Existing or planned upstream and downstream processes
• Available floor space, logistics routes and site infrastructure
• Budget constraints, labour model, automation level and growth roadmap

Based on this analysis, we propose line concepts that match your technical requirements and production strategy—whether the focus is flexibility, throughput, cost-per-part, or a balanced combination of all three.

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Selecting The Right Machines And Configurations

Production line planning at PMT ensures that each machine and configuration has a clear role within the overall system:

• 5 Axis CNC Machines for complex, multi-surface parts where single-setup machining reduces error stack-up and fixture count.
• Vertical and horizontal machining centers for prismatic components, housings, covers and structural parts, selected according to chip flow, part orientation and multi-face machining needs.
• Gantry machines for large frames, bases, molds and heavy components requiring long travels and high rigidity.
• CNC turning centers for shafts, flanges, hubs, rings and rotational parts integrated into flow lines or stand-alone cells.

We consider spindle power and torque, tool capacity, pallet systems, probing, measurement and coolant/chip management so that each station is technically capable and economically justified within the line.

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Layout Design, Material Flow & Logistics

A well-planned production line is as much about layout and logistics as it is about machine choice. PMT’s planning covers:

• Machine positioning and orientation to minimise handling, walking distance and forklift traffic.
• Logical workpiece flow from raw material receiving to machining, inspection, cleaning and packing.
• Clear separation of dirty and clean areas, cutting-fluid zones, and inspection zones where necessary.
• Allocation of buffer stations, WIP storage, cart / pallet routes and access for cranes, maintenance and future expansion.

Our layouts are designed to support lean principles—including reduced waste in motion, waiting, inventory and transport—while maintaining flexibility for product or volume changes.

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Automation, FMS And Level Of Integration

A key decision in production line planning is how far to integrate automation and FMS. PMT helps you choose the right level based on your product mix, labour strategy and investment profile:

• Operator-assisted cells with ergonomic material handling and quick changeover for high-mix, lower volume environments.
• Automated cells with robots for loading/unloading, pallet systems, part orientation and in-line gauging for medium to high volume production.
• FMS (Flexible Manufacturing Systems) linking multiple machines, storage, loading stations and measurement into fully integrated, software-controlled lines capable of running mixed-part families 24/7.

We design automation so that it supports rather than complicates your processes—focusing on robustness, serviceability and recoverability in real-world factory conditions.

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Cycle-Time Balancing, Capacity & Scalability

PMT’s production line planning goes beyond CAD layouts to address time and capacity:

• Detailed cycle-time estimation for each operation and machine, including tool changes, probing, handling and non-cut activities.
• Line-balancing to avoid bottlenecks, ensuring that the slowest station still meets takt time and that machine utilisation is balanced across the line.
• Capacity scenarios and “what-if” analysis for volume increases, new variants or overtime strategies.
• Modular line concepts that allow additional machines, automation modules or inspection stations to be added with minimal disruption as demand grows.

This structured planning allows you to invest with confidence, knowing that your line can support both current volumes and realistic future growth.

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Process Robustness, Quality And Traceability

Production line planning must also guarantee quality stability and traceability across all operations. PMT incorporates quality thinking into the line from the earliest stages:

• Definition of datums, clamping strategies and operation sequences that minimise variation and simplify inspection.
• Integration of in-machine probing, in-process gauging and off-line CMM measurement to control critical features and provide feedback to machining.
• Planning of sampling rates, SPC points and data collection for key dimensions and process parameters.
• Traceability concepts from raw material to finished part, including identification methods, routing logs and inspection records when required by aerospace, automotive or other regulated industries.

By designing quality control into the line topology and process flow, we help you meet demanding customer standards while avoiding over-inspection and redundant checks.

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Greenfield & Brownfield Planning

PMT supports both new greenfield sites and brownfield upgrades:

• For greenfield projects, we help define building requirements, utility layouts, crane and logistics strategies, and future expansion corridors alongside the line design.
• For brownfield sites, we analyse your existing equipment, flows and constraints, then propose phased transformation plans that reuse assets where possible and minimise downtime during changeover.

In both cases, our goal is to provide a realistic, sequenced roadmap from current state to target state, aligned with your budget cycles and resource availability.

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Engineering Tools, Simulation And Documentation

To support reliable decision-making, PMT uses structured engineering tools and clear documentation in the planning process:

• Block layouts, 2D and 3D line drawings showing machines, automation, logistics and utilities.
• Cycle-time and capacity tables, line-balance charts and staffing plans.
• Fixture concepts, tool lists and key process parameter summaries.
• Optional simulation or digital mock-ups for complex automated or FMS lines.

These deliverables help internal stakeholders—management, production, quality, maintenance and finance—understand the solution and align on investment decisions.

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Performance And Cost Advantages

PMT’s production line planning leverages our strength as a machine tool builder with high technical level and strong value:

• Machine and system investments typically around one-half to two-thirds of equivalent European solutions with similar capabilities.
• Optimised line arrangements and processes that often deliver equal or higher productivity under the same quality requirements, reducing cost per part.
• Balanced designs that avoid both under-specifying and over-engineering, so that every element of the line contributes to ROI.

This enables manufacturers to deploy advanced production lines with aerospace-grade accuracy while maintaining global cost competitiveness.

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A Long-Term Partner For Industrial Line Development

With roots in China’s top aerospace and defence projects and membership in a leading titanium additive manufacturing group, PMT (Chengdu Precise CNC Machine Tool Co., Ltd.) brings deep understanding of both high-end machining technology and real factory constraints to production line planning.

Whether you are building a new line for aerospace structures, powertrain components, precision industrial parts, molds, medical devices or general engineering products, PMT can support you from initial concept and layout through to turnkey delivery, ramp-up and continuous improvement—transforming your production line from a set of isolated machines into an integrated, competitive manufacturing system.