Q. What is "partly completed machinery"?

A. A partly completed assembly"...means an assembly which is almost machinery but which cannot in itself perform a specific application. Partly completed machinery is only intended to be incorporated into or assembled with other machinery...thereby forming machinery to which this Directive applies." A robot without jigs and fixture and a welding head may be considered "partly completed machinery." When assembled together as in a robotic welding cell, the assembly becomes a machine.

Manufacturers of "partly completed machines" are required to follow specific CE marking procedures related to the nature of their machinery as opposed to a completed machine. Placing a CE marking on a partly completed machine is not allowed.