As a top-tier government and defence contractor, EPTEC is well-known across Australia for delivering tough, reliable solutions in the harshest industrial settings. When they tapped us to tackle inefficiencies in their paint line for defence products, we jumped at the chance to design a horizontal trolley that could boost productivity while tackling their space woes. Their existing setup was clunky—lacking mobility and hogging precious floor space when not in use—so they needed a rugged, adaptable trolley to handle everything from vehicle parts to specialised gear, all while keeping their facility lean and efficient. Our goal was clear: craft a mechanical solution that married practicality with innovation, tailored to the gritty demands of defence manufacturing.

We kicked things off by diving deep into EPTEC’s operational nitty-gritty. Defence products aren’t one-size-fits-all; they’re heavy, awkwardly shaped, and often need durable coatings for protection or camouflage. That meant our trolley had to be a workhorse—stable enough to carry hefty loads, versatile for odd dimensions, and tough enough to cop the wear and tear of a busy workshop. We scoped out their facility’s workflow, pinpointing bottlenecks and space constraints, then set to work sketching concepts that’d slot seamlessly into their paint line.

One of our standout designs—brought to life in a 3D CAD model—features a no-nonsense rectangular frame knocked together from green-painted steel or aluminium beams. The green finish isn’t just for looks; it’s a nod to military specs, and the welded joints scream durability under serious weight. The top platform, clocking in at roughly 1.5 metres long and 0.6 metres wide, sports a grid of longitudinal and transverse beams—smartly spaced to cradle gear securely while cutting down on heft and letting air flow through. Standing about 0.8 metres tall, it’s propped up by four sturdy legs, each beefed up with diagonal bracing at the corners to stop any wobbles or twists when it’s on the move. Down at the base, we added mounting plates for optional floor bolting, but the real magic’s in the mobility: four fixed caster wheels—100-150 mm in diameter and rated for 200-300 kg each—keep it rolling smooth and straight, perfect for the controlled chaos of a defence workshop.

We didn’t stop at the basics. To make this trolley a painter’s best mate, we brainstormed extras like adjustable supports to fit whatever EPTEC threw at it, and a rotating top for full-circle access—no more awkward reaches or patchy finishes. We even toyed with bolting on LED lights for better visibility and rigging up tool hooks to keep gear handy. Space-saving was front of mind too, so we explored a collapsible frame—fold it up, stack it away, and free up the floor when the job’s done. It’s a minimalist beast at its core, but that open framework begs for custom tweaks—think side panels or tie-downs for hauling machinery parts or tools.

Sadly, the project hit a snag—cost hurdles and stakeholder timing put it on ice. But our work wasn’t for nothing. Those designs handed EPTEC a blueprint to rethink their paint line setup, spotlighting inefficiencies and teeing up solutions for down the track. The trolley’s solid bones and mobile edge mean it’s ready to roll whenever they are, with room to tweak it for whatever the field throws up. For us, it’s proof we’ve got the mechanical design chops to nail complex briefs in the defence game—blending precision engineering with creative fixes that hit the mark, even if they’re still waiting in the wings.

This entry shines a light on our mechanical design prowess, paints EPTEC as a defence heavyweight, and keeps the focus on the trolley’s nuts and bolts—all while staying punchy and professional for an Aussie crowd.

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