How to Order a Custom Special-Purpose Machine – Metecno’s 16-Step Roadmap

18.02.2026

What does the purchasing process look like when you order a new special-purpose machine from Metecno Oy?

In this blog, we provide a transparent overview of our ISO-certified special-purpose machine roadmap to streamline your decision-making.

After reading, you will understand how the 16-step order process for a customised special machinery unfolds—from your initial request for quotation to the final delivery of the machine.

Contact us via email 24/7 at sales@metecno.fi or by phone on weekdays 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM EET at +358 20 741 5500.

We will receive your preliminary technical data and evaluate Metecno’s capacity to solve your company’s production challenge.

We can usually determine quite quickly whether a custom-built machine by Metecno is the most sensible solution or if a budget-friendly machine already exists elsewhere. We do not sell machines you do not actually need.

After the initial contact, we arrange an on-site or remote meeting with your company to study the machine’s intended production environment.

During the scoping, we jointly define the core problems the machine must solve and set numerical targets:

1) Technical, measurable requirements
2) Total investment cost
3) Delivery schedule

Once we agree on the objectives, we begin preparing a standard, complimentary proposal. For highly complex solutions, we ensure the best possible outcome through a focused MetePRE® pre-design phase.

At this stage, we have constructed a solid proposal that meets your initial requirements.

We present our offer thoroughly, aiming to launch a successful joint machine project.

As the buyer, you evaluate if the proposal meets your goals or if further technical or financial refinements are needed.

Refining the offer may involve several iterations as we maintain a close dialogue via email and phone.

Based on our experience, regular meetings are the most effective way to build a special-purpose machine project that truly benefits both parties.

This phase ends once final technical details and new requests are resolved into a final offer.

Your company provides its final decision—accepting the offer and planning the next steps with us.

The project officially kicks off with an initial payment, and the multidisciplinary design team begins its work.

Typically, a special-purpose machine order is paid in five installments based on completed milestones.

After Order Confirmation

Buyer’s contribution does not completely end after the order confirmation.

As the design phase gets underway, we invite your active participation, as the engineering process continues to thrive on the exchange of insights.

As design progresses, technical opportunities and challenges often arise that are best to resolve quickly to keep the delivery schedule on track.

Below are the post-order stages under Metecno’s responsibility and the customer’s role in the project:

Mechanical design initiates the manufacturing process, and its duration varies according to the technical complexity of the solution.

While our engineering is world-class, it requires iterations; both parties must reserve time for possible adjustments.

This phase also includes electrical, automation, pneumatic and hydraulic engineering.

The design review is the watershed moment where plans are locked.

While it is still possible to make changes, they often lead to schedule delays and costs. We host the review on-site, where you explore the machine in a VR environment—making error detection easy and cost-effective.

Approving our design leads to manufacturing phase and the second payment.

The component sourcing process starts immediately after design approval, at which point the buyer’s role becomes significantly more hands-off.

The duration depends on global supply chains. Once components arrive, the third payment installment falls due here.

Once assembly is in progress, your role becomes even more passive, letting you rest assured while we provide regular updates.

You are always welcome to visit our facilities to see the progress first-hand.

Programming typically runs parallel with assembly.

At this stage, we can still implement new ideas that deviate from the original plan. These include, for example, operational and safety functions, or enhancing the machine’s dynamic performance.

The User Interface (HMI) can be fully designed by us or tailored to your specific wishes. Usually the best result is achieved via co-operation.

We present a digital version in advance for a realistic view of usability.

The UI can be refined up until the FAT test.

The FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) confirms if the machine meets your requirements.

As the buyer you participate in verifying test results at our site that the machine is completely ready for production work.

A successful and approved FAT means the machine is ready for shipment and triggers the fourth payment.

Installation at your facility is scheduled flexibly.

Before arrival, your company must ensure the production environment is technically ready (floor capacity, mounting points, etc.). for the machine.

Site readiness is a customer responsibility defined during the design phase.

The SAT (Site Acceptance Test) ensures the machine performs in your actual production environment.

We execute this test together to get a shared view of the results.

Any defects found lead to thorough analysis ja corrective actions by us.

We won’t leave your staff alone with the new machine.

We train your operators and maintenance staff shortly after the SAT and provide ongoing technical support long after the training is completed.

We hand over documentation during delivery.

This includes manuals, CE declaration of conformity, test reports, and warranty certificate.

A fully approved SAT and delivered documentation mark the project’s completion, and the fifth and final payment falls due.

More Information

You can download a summary of our ordering process in PDF format below.

If you have further questions about how our process proceeds, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Our experts are happy to help at: sales@metecno.fi