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Offsite code development
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Debug & Testing using Virtual Simulated Equipment
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Onsite Commissioning & Installation
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Process Development
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Remote & On-site support
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Panel Design & Supply Services
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Control Systems Retrofits
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Full lifecycle support
Design & Specification
Need help with a specification? If specifications aren't in place or need fleshing out then we can help with this.
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A key component of any software development project is the requirements gathering. It defines the path from User Requirements to System Design and provides a firm foundation from which to work.
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The client knows what is being developed and that it suits their needs.
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Developers know what to develop and testers what to test.
The level of specification required depends on the project and DM Controls can assist with whatever is appropriate, a full in depth specification isn't always required or practical but in the words of Fredrick Brooks
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"The hardest single part of building a software system is deciding what to build. No other part of the work so cripples the resulting system if done wrong. No other part is more difficult to rectify later.”
Control Platforms
DM Controls have extensive experience with a broad range of equipment, fieldbuses, servo drives, controllers, transport systems using many of the major brand control platforms.
Beckhoff
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PC based logic & motion control
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Twincat 2
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Twincat 3
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AX5000 & AX8000 Servo Drives
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Other fieldbus compatible servos including Siemens & Schneider drives
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XTS - considerable experience with the eXtended Transport System
Schneider Electric
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PacDrive 3 high performance motion control platform
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Modicon motion & PLC controllers
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Lexium Servo Drives
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Delta Robots
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VSDs
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Magellis HMI
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PacDrive template, software framework
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Standardised software modules
Vision Systems
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KEYENCE
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SensoPart
6 Axis Robots
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KUKA
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FANUC
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Yaskawa
Visualisations
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Main manufacturer HMI products
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Zenon by Copa Data
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CodeSys visus
Allen-Bradley
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Control / Compact Logix Controllers
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Kinetix Servo Drives
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Powerflex VSDs
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FactoryTalk View HMI implementations
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DMAT (Drives and Motion Accelerator Toolkit) framework implementation
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Power Programming
Siemens
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Simotion - high performance motion and logic control platform
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S7 - PLC & Safety PLC
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S7 Technology - PLC with motion
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Sinamics G range - VSDs
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Sinamics S range - High performance servo drives
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Use of standard applications
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HMI Panels
Application Experience
DM Controls has extensive experience across a range of sectors from Automotive to Food & Beverage. Much of our recent work is for the packaging industry which produce some of the most technically demanding equipment.
Some of our recent projects include:
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Flowrappers
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Foldwrappers
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Overwrappers
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Winders
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Collators
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Smartbelt feed systems
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Smart Track Multibelts
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Shuttle Phase Feeders
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Case Packers
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Centrifugal Feeders
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DeltaPicker packaging cells
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Machine prototypes
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High speed inspection systems
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Robotic packaging lines
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Food production lines
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Beckhoff XTS Product Feed systems
Standardised Frameworks & Applications
What is a standardised framework?
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For machine automation there is always a requirement for features such as diagnostic reporting, alarm handling, recipe management as well as having a modular approach to the various parts of a machine and how they interact.
A standardised framework provides a predefined method for creating machine automation applications:
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Has a defined modular structure & uses standard data structures and formats
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Has ready made components for use in common aspects such as diagnostics and alarms
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Reduces engineering time
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Is recognisable & more quickly understandable by engineers familiar with the framework
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Is a tried and tested robust design
DM Controls have experience with a number of manufacturer supported frameworks & applications including:
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Allen Bradley - DMAT (Drives & Motion Accelerator Toolkit), Power Programming
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Schneider PacDrive standard template
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Schneider TVDA - Tested Validated Design Architecture
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Bechoff XAF
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Siemens Standard Applications & Utilities
Ready made solutions aren't always the complete answer so the key is knowing when and how much of these offerings to use.
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What is a standardised application?
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“I invented nothing new. I simply assembled the discoveries of other men behind whom were centuries of work."
Henry Ford
The same types of application come up time after time in the world of automation. Winders, servo axis control modules, Kinematic modules, Product / Print registration. Standard applications are ready built software modules that are for use with a generic application type such as a winder, that can be parameterised and / or adapted to suit a specific implementation.
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Contact Us
DM Controls is based in Manchester, close to Trafford Park with excellent transport links.
+44 (0)7973786438