Project Process

Projects usually start with either a problem or an idea that requires a solution. The solution is required with an indication of costs before actually spending any money. 

The process at this stage is to sit around the table with an open discussion between the client on the idea or problem with the desired objectives and Compressed Air Controls design person. Questions and answers around product possibilities to provide the solution or part of the solution generally lead to more options and so the discussion will go round the table until two important points are clear

A design is now fabricated together with Compressed Air Controls staff and the concept now becomes a design with costs and normally with projected results such as machine improvements or outputs etc. 

Compressed Air Controls Ltd is usually the project manager as well and we provide a complete package or parts of if the client has their own resources such as engineering fabrication or electrical. 

Past projects have ranged from

• Drilling rig for mower castings full automation with PLC control. Customer provided the engineering resources and we provided the design, electrical controls, PLC control and programming
• Spin welder. High speed plastic welding process by friction. This was a small production line machine to take two parts and spin for a very precise time to weld/melt them together. We built the complete machine supplied all components and fabricated the structure to the Smart controller.
• Drafting gate for a mobile sheep drafting system for a one man control.
• Upgrade of a pneumatic logic controlled volumetric bottle filling machine to a full PLC managed filling machine to increase productivity and reliability. Engineering completed with customers own resources and Compressed Air Controls managed the overall design from actuators to the control cabinet with the PLC and power supplies etc. Programme design & commissioned by Compressed Air Controls.
• Starch glue line management to customer specifications. Compressed Air Controls supplied the actuated ball valves with position feedback, operator touch pad interface to the control cabinet with PLC controller and I/P for variable pump speed. 

We work on small 5 minute projects when customers arrive at our shop with a problem from an old solenoid valve or obsolete pneumatics requiring replacements up to site upgrades of machines or new plant & equipment. Having Engineering based staff and with a large resource available via our supplier network the conceptual development of new ideas or solutions for old problems to working solutions is an everyday event for Compressed Air Controls staff.

We can and will often project manage where we can offer the following

•       Design & quoting
•       Development of ideas to solutions
•       Electrical control cabinet work
•       Pneumatic controls
•       PLC or pneumatic logic control options
•       On site and workshop engineering
•       Turnkey solutions taking responsibility of success 

The difference is that we can usually offer a reasonable idea of costs over a cup of tea which provides the client with a yes we can afford that or no that is out of our budget and no costs have been incurred.