Hagood Control Systems

Golf Club Wrapping Machine – United Sports Technologies

This was a retrofit that was quite an interesting case because the customer was not seeking to increase throughput as many are. This was a case where product consistency was the ultimate goal. The company manufactures carbon-fiber shaft golf clubs. They had a machine that wrapped the shafts with the carbon fiber and a tape-like wrap over the fiber that would be heated to seal the fibers and then removed.

The issue they were facing was that the tension of the carbon-fiber wrap was controlled manually by the operator. This led to inconsistencies in the golf clubs. Hagood Control Systems was approached to create a retrofit that automated the wrapping function and produced 100% identical golf clubs with every pass.

We created a standalone controller that supervised the existing controller on the machine. We programmed in the desired tension and pitch for the tape wrap so that all the operator has to do is start the process and let the machine do the work to produce a consistent golf club. The machine performed flawlessly, and the operators loved the upgrade.

This story does not end here and took an interesting turn. The original machine we upgraded was located at their research and development facilities in the U.S., but they had 14 more machines at their plant in Bangladesh. We produced controllers for each and traveled to Bangladesh to install them and provide operator and maintenance training. Now, when they add a machine, we produce the controller and ship it to them where their personnel install the equipment.

This is a perfect case study where, not only did Hagood equipment meet the desired result of improving consistency, but through the provided training, the onsite personnel are now able to install the controller inhouse. Considering their location in Bangladesh, this saves themselves considerable time and expense. While we primarily serve the Greater Texas area, our technicians can travel to any location to install, retrofit, and service your equipment.

Sector

Sporting goods

Scope

Retrofit + training

Units

15 deployed

Artificial Lifting Unit – Chapparal Artificial Lift

This customer developed an innovative way of pumping oil from a well using a hydraulic cylinder in place of the traditional, diesel-operated pump jacks. The customer now mounts this equipment on a truck that can be easily driven to the well site, positioned over the well, and quickly gets to work pumping oil.

This story is an excellent example of someone who bought equipment over the years that lacked the features which would make the job more efficient. At some point, they thought: There has to be a better way. Drilling technology for over-the-hole work had been fairly static for a long time and was primed for new innovation.

After designing a truck-mounted lifting unit that was full of never-been-done-before features—including using rechargeable batteries instead of the truck’s engine for power to the equipment—the last thing needed was a centralized, touchscreen controller that was programmed to perform all of the necessary tasks.

One challenge in pumping oil is to control the pump’s stroke length to maintain a constant level of oil in the well. With traditional pump jacking equipment, changing the stroke length is a complicated affair that puts the well out of service for a significant period of time. But with a fully programmed Hagood touchscreen controller on the innovative hydraulic lifting unit, changing the pump stroke is as simple as a few touches.

The success of the custom rig was immediately apparent out in the oil fields, and other drilling companies quickly took notice. Now, Chapparal is building and selling these rigs throughout the U.S. The success they are enjoying is due to having several innovative ideas and then wrapping them all up into a package that is controlled by a Hagood touchscreen controller and programming. At Hagood Control Systems, we specialize in helping to bring good ideas to life.

Sector

Oil & gas

Scope

Controls + HMI + PLC

Outcome

Product line launch

Aircraft Part Machine

This case is an example of refurbishing an older machine that was damaged in a fire. The machine is used to manufacture a precision valve component that controls the ailerons on a commercial aircraft. Needless to say, very strict tolerances are required whenever any flight surface controls are involved.

The machine features a grinder that can cut on seven different axes. Cameras are installed so the operator can see the operation on video monitors. The machine had last been updated in the 1990s, and in addition to repairing the fire damage, the customer wanted to update the machine with modern equipment.

So, the customer was faced with having a severely damaged precision machine that is approximately 50 years old and no longer manufactured. After the machine was damaged in the fire, the company literally called a gentleman out of retirement to help them refurb the machine. After assessing the damage, he contacted Hagood Control Systems to assist with the wiring and controllers.

Our team rewired the machine, built and programmed new controllers, automated the movement of the cameras, and installed modern video monitors. The machine was fully renovated and enhanced with updated electronics which gives the operator more control over the grinding process.

This case is the perfect example of how Hagood Control Systems helped a company salvage and modernize a very expensive piece of equipment that could have taken years and untold expense to replace. This is what we do.

Sector

Aerospace

Scope

Full electrical rebuild

Age

~50 years

Refurbished Electrical Panel

It is very common in manufacturing facilities that, over time, electrical panels always seem to turn into a dusty birds’ nest of wiring. When you examine them, there is wiring, jumper wires, and wire nuts everywhere. No one wants to work on the panels because they are so jumbled and nasty.

But with one call to Hagood Control Systems, your old, dusty mess of an electrical panel can be transformed back into a new, neat, and well-put-together panel that your maintenance crew will want to show off instead of hide. Refurbishing old electrical equipment is one of our fortes. We know that most older equipment still has plenty of life left in it if it can just be cleaned up and revitalized.

Breathing new life back into old equipment is what Hagood Control Systems is all about. With these old panels, we blow them out, wipe them down, place all of the wiring in its proper locations, make sure everything is tucked in neatly, test everything, and put the covers back on. When our team is finished, you will swear you are looking at a freshly installed electrical panel. And your maintenance personnel will love you for making their job far easier.

Sector

General manufacturing

Scope

Panel refurbishment

Turnaround

Days, not weeks