A cannabis processor running five debudding units side by side was losing production time every time a latch failed. The machines strip buds from stems using internal rollers and a conveyor belt — the latches keep the housing closed and the safety interlock engaged. When a latch opens, the machine shuts off.
PROBLEM
The original latches were bending from operator use and rattling open from machine vibration. Every unplanned shutdown meant lost production. The bigger concern was the safety risk — the housing could swing open on a worker underneath it.
Repeated shutdowns
Bent latches were no longer holding under vibration. The safety interlock would trip, the machine would shut down, and the operators would have to reset it. This was happening often enough that the client needed a permanent fix, not a workaround.
Safety risk
An open housing on a running machine is a hazard. If someone was working underneath and the latch released, they had no warning. The original design hadn’t held up to the production environment.
SOLUTION
The Custom Concepts team assessed the units on-site, discussed the problem at the shop, and designed a replacement latch from the ground up. James modelled it in CAD, then printed a prototype in 3D to test the fit before cutting any metal. The prototype cleared on the first install. The client’s supervisors, maintenance team, and managers approved it. Custom Concepts machined a batch of 12 — enough to outfit one full line.
