Automation
McKay is able to undertake the design and implementation of automation, control, and system integration projects. We are not aligned to any specific suppliers; therefore we can use the best and most suitable automation and control equipment currently available.
Our capabilities include PLC programming, HMI/SCADA programming, communication solutions, and integration with 3rd party software and databases. These services can be provided using our expert automation engineers, nominated system integrators, or the client’s own engineers and technicians.
McKay also has a number of system integration companies that we have a working relationship with.
Typical Automation Project Procedure
During the conceptual design stage we can help choose a hardware and software platform, select the right control system and design an operation philosophy for the control systems, creating standards and other technical documentation.
During the functional design stage the system will be decomposed into objects that will interact with and transform data to perform the required system objectives. After the decomposition process the functionality and the interface of each object will be determined.
The technical design defines the overall technical architecture of the control system. It contains a description of the system overview based on the chosen hardware and software platform, it specifies data and program structures and draws in detail the objects with their interfaces used in the control system. The technical design stage will typically start parallel with the hardware engineering. Prototyping can be a part of this stage.
During the software programming stage, the specified objects will be implemented in the control systems and Human Machine Interfaces (HMI). During this stage a test protocol is developed that will be used during the in-house and on-site tests.
Before implementation on site, all systems are tested in the office to verify that all control systems are implemented according to the design. The functional tests are performed with the use of simulation software that runs independently from the control software. This methodology allows us to shorten the commissioning time and improve the quality of the end product.
During the hardware I/O tests all signals between the control system and the field will be loop tested on-site.
Functional tests are performed on-site to check the controls of the system without medium.
During the commissioning stage the capabilities of the system are demonstrated in the final operational configuration under defined operating conditions. During commissioning, both verification and validation tests are performed on the complete system.
