Industrial Automation
Our controls engineers have experience with most major brands of industrial controllers and HMI/SCADA interfaces. We are able to provide a complete turnkey project from conception to completion.
Our automation and control projects are completed according to project plans. We will discuss what areas are most important to you and your business and formulate a solution that will solve even the most complex of problems.
Using the right type of automation, allows you to produce the best quality that you can, made in the most consistent fashion whilst doing so in an efficient and cost effective way.
PLC Programming:
More often than not, automating a machine will require some form of PLC controller that will require programming. This can be controlling complex movements or the simple direct control required to perform a given task. Our automation engineers work hard to specify and program the correct controller with the right logic to do the tasks required. This is possibly one of the most important steps in your project. You must consider, memory size, I.O Requirements and communication interfacing. All the while ensuring the system is future proofed for production changes and technology advancements.
Common systems we deal with:
Allen Bradley
Omron
Siemens
Mitsubishi
Sick
Pilz
Machine Vision systems:
Machine vision is the use of a camera or multiple cameras to inspect and analyze objects automatically, generally in the production environment. The data provided can then be used to control a process or manufacturing activity.
A typical application for a vision system, might be on an assembly line. After an operation is performed on a part, the camera is triggered to capture and process an image. The camera may be programmed to check the position of something, its color, size or shape, or whether the object is there or not. It also can look at and decipher a standard or 2-D matrix barcode or even read printed characters.
Typical applications for machine vision:
- Quality assurance
- Missing parts
- Robot/machine guidance
- Barcode reading
- Character checks
- Machine monitoring
- Sorting/counting
Using automated machine vision instead of humans allows for faster processing and continuous monitoring. A vision system can check thousands for parts per minute and is suited for the repetitive task. It’s reliable, consistent and proven in many different industries.
Machine Communication:
There are a range of different communication protocols that have been implemented in automation processes over the years. As technology changes and people come and go having onsite knowledge of some of these systems can be difficult to find. Luckily we have many years of experience in the installation and maintenance of many of these systems.
AS-I
Ethernet/IP
Modbus
Profibus
EtherCat
Device Net
Control Net
I.O Link
FINS
Sensors and Actuators:
Non-contact sensors, encoders, and distance measurement systems all serve to control manufacturing, packaging, and assembly processes, to carry out quality assurance, and to ensure machine safety. From a simple photoelectric switch to a more complex linear transducer, we can provide advice and the necessary knowledge to help guide your decisions and garuntee your using the correct device for your application.
Some of the areas where we have experience:
Food & beverage
Package Handling and assembly technology
Robotics
Process control
Wrapping
Drives (AC/DC)
Servos
Brewing
Temperature control
Glycol system
Refrigeration