By Rittal on Aug 31, 2026, 2:02:43 AM
For panel builders, improving productivity often comes down to identifying where manual processes are consuming valuable production time.
Enclosure modification is one area where this can have a significant impact. Measuring, drilling and producing cut-outs manually requires time and labour, while variations in machining can affect consistency from one project to the next.
For Western Australian engineering company Innovent Engineering, these challenges prompted a rethink of how panel modifications were completed.
Bringing Panel Machining In-House
Innovent Engineering provides mechanical and electrical engineering services, managing projects from concept through to implementation. Previously, enclosure penetrations, cut-outs and other modifications were completed manually or outsourced.
The company wanted to become more self-sufficient while creating a faster, more repeatable approach to panel manufacturing.
After seeing the Rittal Perforex Milling Terminal 2101 operating at the Rittal Application Centre in Sydney, Innovent Engineering identified an opportunity to automate this stage of production.
The 4-axis CNC machining centre automates the machining of standard enclosures, producing precise holes, threads and cut-outs across both compact and large enclosures.
Changing the Focus of Production
Since implementing the Perforex, activities that once represented a significant stage of the board building process have become simple, integrated production steps.
Panel modifications can now be completed faster and with a consistent, high-quality finish, allowing the Innovent Engineering team to focus more of its time on electrical fit-out and testing.
Automation has also created a more controlled machining process, reducing the risks associated with manual drilling and cutting.
And the benefits could extend beyond Innovent Engineering's own production requirements. The business is now exploring opportunities to provide third-party panel machining services and plans to integrate EPLAN to further connect engineering and manufacturing.
See How Innovent Engineering Made the Transition
From its first demonstration at the Rittal Application Centre through to implementation, the Perforex has helped Innovent Engineering rethink panel processing and build greater capability into its manufacturing operations.
Read the full Innovent Engineering case study to discover the challenge, solution and results, and how automated panel machining is supporting the company's next stage of growth.
