Our History
HQA was built through years of hands-on automation work. We started with controls, grew into full custom machines, and now build standard automation cells based on what we learned in the field.
2007–2011 Starting with Controls
HQA started as a control system integrator. Our work focused on PLCs, HMIs, machine logic, troubleshooting, and getting equipment to run correctly on the factory floor. This gave us a practical understanding of what makes industrial equipment reliable.
2011–2022 Building Custom Machines
Over time, customers asked us to take on more of the machine. We expanded from controls into full custom equipment, including mechanical design, electrical design, safety systems, programming, assembly, and startup. During this period, we completed hundreds of custom automation projects.
That experience also showed us a problem. Too much time was being spent rebuilding the same foundation on every project: the frame, guarding, controls, safety, and basic machine structure.
View our early projects →2021 Bringing Manufacturing In-House
By 2021, we had reached an important point as a company. Most of the key capabilities needed to build automation equipment were under one roof in our shop: CNC machining, welding, mechanical assembly, electrical panel building, controls, programming, and machine startup.
This gave us better control over quality, timing, and design decisions. It also made it possible to start thinking beyond one-off custom machines and toward standard systems we could build repeatedly.
2022 Moving Toward Standard Cells
We started standardizing the parts of the machine that repeat from project to project. The goal was simple: stop starting from zero every time.
We developed standard cell bases with a strong mechanical frame, guarding, electrical cabinet, controls, safety system, and common machine layout. This gave us a better starting point for new automation projects.
View our standard cells →2024 Custom Automation on a Standard Base
With the standard cell structure in place, we changed how we build custom systems. Instead of engineering the full machine from scratch, we start with a defined base and focus more of the engineering time on the process itself.
This is especially useful for robotic loading, assembly, inspection, part handling, and other applications where the process changes, but the machine foundation can stay consistent.
See our custom cell approach →2026 Laser Marking Cells
Laser marking became one of the clearest applications for this approach. Many customers need the same core system: a safe enclosed cell, a reliable laser, fume extraction, part handling, and controls that are ready for production.
We now build laser marking cells using our standard cell base, with options for manual loading, rotary tables, drawers, SCARA robots, 6-axis robots, and tray handling.
Explore laser marking cells →