Full-Spectrum Engineering Services — From First Sketch to Final Build

Custom Industrial Equipment Design

When off-the-shelf doesn't exist, we build what does.

Every operation has unique challenges that standard equipment simply wasn't designed to solve. Blacktail specializes in engineering custom industrial equipment from the ground up — tailored precisely to your process, your space, your environment, and your budget.

We work closely with you to understand the problem before we ever touch a drawing. The result is equipment that fits your operation like it was always supposed to be there — because it was designed specifically for it.

Ideal for: Agricultural operations needing custom handling or processing equipment, manufacturers requiring specialized fixtures or tooling, industrial facilities with unique material handling challenges.

CAD Modeling & Engineering Drawings

Precision on paper before a single piece of steel is cut.

Professional CAD modeling and engineering drawings are the backbone of any well-executed project. Blacktail produces detailed 3D models and fabrication-ready drawing packages that communicate clearly — whether you're presenting to stakeholders, coordinating with contractors, or taking designs straight to the shop floor.

Every drawing is dimensioned, toleranced, and documented so your team, vendors, and fabricators are all working from the same clear picture. We also work alongside licensed Professional Engineers when project requirements call for stamped documentation, ensuring your project has the right credentials at every stage.

Software: We primarily use SolidWorks for 3D modeling and AutoCAD for detailed drafting and 2D drawing packages. Files can typically be converted to other formats on request.

Ideal for: Businesses needing design documentation, companies working with outside fabricators, and operations requiring complete drawing packages for fabrication or project review.

Rapid Prototyping & Proof of Concept

Test your idea before you commit to full production.

Good ideas deserve to be proven before significant capital is invested. Blacktail builds functional prototypes fast — real, working models you can test, stress, and validate in your actual environment. We identify problems early, refine the design, and give you confidence before committing to full-scale production.

This stage saves time, money, and headaches down the road — and it's one of the most valuable steps any engineering project can take.

Ideal for: New product development, process improvement initiatives, equipment modifications where validation is critical before full rollout.

Fabrication, Welding & Machining

We don't just design it — we build it.

Most engineering firms hand your design off to a fabricator and hope for the best. At Blacktail, the engineer who designed your equipment is the same person building it. That means no lost detail in translation, no compromises made on the shop floor, and a finished product that matches the intent of the design exactly.

We handle hands-on fabrication, welding, and basic machining — producing tough, well-crafted components built to perform in demanding industrial environments. For projects requiring certified welding procedures or inspection documentation, we coordinate with the appropriate certified professionals to ensure full compliance.

Ideal for: Agricultural and industrial clients needing custom fabricated equipment, one-off builds, replacement components, or modifications to existing equipment.

Industrial Automation & PLC Programming

Work smarter. Run leaner. Automate with confidence.

Manual processes cost time, introduce error, and limit your capacity to scale. Blacktail designs and implements custom automation solutions — from simple control systems to fully integrated PLC-based automation — tailored to your specific operation and equipment.

We primarily work with Allen-Bradley equipment — a trusted and widely supported platform across industrial and agricultural operations. We handle the full scope: system design, panel wiring, PLC programming, commissioning, and operator training.

Ideal for: Manufacturing and industrial operations looking to reduce labor dependency, improve consistency, increase throughput, or modernize aging control systems.

On-Site Engineering Consulting & Support

The engineering expertise your operation needs, without the full-time overhead.

Not every business can justify a full-time engineer on staff — but every operation runs into engineering problems. Blacktail provides on-site and remote engineering consulting to agricultural, industrial, mining, and commercial clients who need expert support when it matters most.

Whether it's troubleshooting a recurring equipment failure, reviewing a design before fabrication, planning a facility modification, or simply having an experienced engineer in your corner — we're available when you need us.

Ideal for: Small to mid-size operations across agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and commercial industries throughout the Mountain West.