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Panel Fabrication for Machine Building and Industry

Panel Fabrication: Custom Control Cabinets

Panel building, also known as panel fabrication or cabinet building, involves the design, assembly, wiring, and testing of control cabinets and switchgear for machines and systems. Kwadrant IA handles the entire process for machine builders and industrial end users: from the electrical design to a tested cabinet complete with a test report and documentation.

We supply both custom-made and mass-produced panel assemblies. At our workshop in Zeewolde, engineers and panel builders use EPLAN Pro Panel, ensuring that design, assembly, and documentation are fully aligned. Each enclosure is built in accordance with NEN-EN 60204-1 and, where necessary, in accordance with UL 508A or CSA for export to the U.S. and Canada. This ensures you receive a reliable, reproducible enclosure that will last for the entire service life of your machine.

When machine builders outsource their panel fabrication

Many machine builders have their own electrical engineering department but lack their own workshop for panel building or do not have sufficient capacity to handle peak demand. A dedicated panel builder takes over that part of the project without you losing control over the design.

Capacity

Your order backlog is at an all-time high, and your in-house technicians are fully booked. We manufacture based on your drawings or our own designs, whether as one-off items or in series, so that your schedule doesn’t depend on the availability of your in-house workshop staff.

Regulatory Framework

The machine is destined for a market with different requirements, such as the United States or Canada. With UL/CSA in-house certification, we build the enclosure directly in accordance with UL 508A or CSA, including SCCR testing and the required markings.

One-stop shop for design and construction

When design, construction, and commissioning are handled by a single party, the handoff points where errors can occur are eliminated. Any change to the schematic is immediately implemented in the control cabinet and in the documentation.

Panel construction tailored to your industry

Every project presents unique challenges for panel building. Whether it involves machine control in the manufacturing industry, distribution systems in infrastructure, or explosion-proof solutions for offshore applications, Kwadrant IA provides custom solutions for a wide range of sectors. See how we apply our expertise within your industry.

Panel construction for mechanical engineering

Panel construction for infra

Panel construction for marine & offshore

Panel construction for petrochemicals

Panel construction for food industry

Panel construction for water management

Panel construction for internal logistics & robotics

Years of experience in the field of industrial automation

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What types of control panels and switchgear we manufacture

“Panel building” is a general term. In practice, Kwadrant IA manufactures various types of cabinets, each with its own function and regulatory framework.

Control Cabinets

The control cabinet houses the PLC, I/O, power supplies, and safety components that control a machine. We build control cabinets for machine construction, process plants, and robot cells, including those with a modular design.

More about modular control cabinets

Custom Control Cabinets

A control panel switches and distributes power to motors and other loads. We supply control panels made of steel or stainless steel, in the desired IP rating and size.

More about custom control panels

Electrical Cabinets and Distribution Panels

For power distribution within a system, we build electrical panels and distribution equipment equipped with the appropriate protective devices, selectivity, and short-circuit resistance.

More about electrical cabinets

MCC cabinets

A Motor Control Center consolidates the control of multiple motors into a single enclosure, with variable frequency drives, soft starters, and motor protection for each output.

What is an MCC cabinet?

ATEX and Overpressure Enclosures

For potentially explosive areas, we manufacture enclosures with overpressure and purge systems, tailored to the zone classification and the requirements of the ATEX Directive.

More about overpressure and purging

Control Panels and Lecterns

Control panels, HMI cabinets, and control room consoles serve as the interface between the operator and the system. Control cabinets for climate and process control also fall into this category.

More about control room desks

Essential factors for high-quality panel construction

At Kwadrant IA, panel construction is about more than just assembly. Quality begins with proper technical preparation and ends with accurate pre-delivery inspection. Each panel is built according to applicable standards, tailored to the application and extensively tested. The aspects below form the core of our working method in serial and project-based panel construction.

Each panel construction project starts with a careful inventory of technical requirements. Based on this, Kwadrant IA engineers switchboards, control panels or control cabinets that exactly match the project. This customization ensures that all components, connections and wiring are logically positioned and function within the desired infrastructure. This involves working with up-to-date engineering software, which ensures consistency in design and execution.

The schematics and CAD drawings for panel construction are created in EPLAN, ensuring that the design and implementation always match.

During the construction phase, work is carried out in accordance with the NEN-EN 60204-1 standard, supplemented by internal guidelines and quality standards. Each panel undergoes a mechanical and electrical inspection of connections, connections and execution. In addition, each panel is visually inspected and provided with a test report and declaration of conformity. Thanks to our UL/CSA certification, we can also realize installations for the North American and Canadian markets.

You can read more about the regulatory framework under ” CE Marking in Panel Building ” and the ” EMC Directives for Panel Building.”

Kwadrant IA uses a standardized method for wiring and assembling panels. This makes repeat projects or serial panel construction easy to reproduce, without compromising on quality. Each wire and connection is carefully finished and clearly coded, which contributes to overview, safety and ease of maintenance. This creates a panel that is not only functional, but also durable and manageable in practice.

Before a cabinet leaves the workshop, we perform a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT): a functional test of the wiring, I/O, safety circuits, and, where applicable, the PLC software. You are welcome to be present if you wish. After installation, the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) is conducted on-site as part of the commissioning process.

More about FAT and SAT testing for switchgear

Contact

Start your project with a technical consultation

Do you have an issue around panel building or industrial automation? We like to think with you from the initial design phase to realization and commissioning. Get in touch and discuss your project with one of our specialists.

Technical consultation

Direct contact with a specialist.

Quick follow-up

A substantive response within a short time.

Clear approach

From inventory to technical development.

Contact formulier EN (#7)

Industrial automation with international standards

Industrial automation requires more than just a correctly constructed panel. We start with the architecture of the system and make conscious choices in component selection, standardization and scalability. By fully mastering engineering, panel construction and integration, we realize control systems that perform reliably in demanding industrial environments. From modular construction to international compliance, every detail is focused on quality, longevity and manageable Total Cost of Ownership.

We do not build standard solutions, but technically sound systems that match the complexity of modern mechanical engineering.

Single units or production runs: how the price of panel construction is determined

The price of a control cabinet is largely determined by three factors: the components, the number of wiring hours, and the engineering work required beforehand. A one-off cabinet with a high degree of customization requires proportionally more engineering work than a series of cabinets produced based on an existing design.

Kwadrant IA uses a transparent pricing structure. For each line item, you can see the costs of the components, engineering, and labor hours, so that design choices are immediately reflected in the price. You’ll receive a technically substantiated quote within 5 days.

We do not focus on the lowest purchase price, but rather on the Total Cost of Ownership. The choice of components, design, and documentation determine how much maintenance and downtime a cabinet will incur over its lifetime.

Related articles about panel building

Frequently asked questions about panel construction

Panel building involves the design, assembly, wiring, and testing of electrical panels, such as control cabinets, switchgear cabinets, and distribution panels. The terms “panel building” and “enclosure building” are used interchangeably to refer to the same field. A panel builder transforms the electrical design into a complete, tested enclosure that can be directly connected to the machine or system.

A control panel controls processes via relays, PLCs and HMIs, among others. A distribution and protection cabinet distributes electrical energy and protects installations from overcurrent or short circuits. Both are essential within an electrical installation and are custom built at Kwadrant IA.

Kwadrant IA focuses on the construction and delivery of new panels, including testing and documentation. Functional maintenance, troubleshooting and service provision usually fall under the purview of the end customer or service partner, but we always think along in practical solutions.

If an installation is partially pneumatically controlled, associated control valves and signal interfaces can be integrated into the control panel. Engineering is tailored to the combination of electrical and pneumatic functionality.

E&I engineering (Electrical & Instrumentation) within panel building includes the design of electrical schematics, cable lists, component placement and signaling currents. This forms the basis for cabinet construction and reliability of the final installation.

Yes, all panels are built according to NEN-EN 60204-1 and undergo a visual, mechanical and electrical final inspection. If applicable, UL508A or CSA inspection requirements are also included, including the necessary documentation and marking.

Panel construction is applicable in a variety of electrical installations such as production lines, packaging systems, water treatment plants, logistics systems and energy distribution. Kwadrant IA supplies panels that fit within both new installations and expansions of existing infrastructures.

In practice, these terms overlap. A control cabinet contains the logic that controls a machine, such as a PLC with I/O and safety components. A switchgear cabinet switches and distributes power to motors and other loads. A control cabinet is often used for climate or process control, for example in HVAC systems. “Electrical cabinet” is the general term for an enclosure containing electrical components. Kwadrant IA manufactures all of these types.

Yes. We build both one-off units for a specific machine or system and production runs based on a fixed design. For production runs, the standardized construction and wiring ensure that every cabinet is identical and reproducible.

Yes. For a retrofit or expansion, we first assess the existing cabinet and documentation. We then modify the cabinet, update the schematics in EPLAN, and test the modified components to ensure the cabinet once again complies with NEN-EN 60204-1.