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Controls & Automation.

Control logic, operator interfaces and machine-level automation engineered to IEC 61131-3 and PackML standards.

  • IEC 61131-3
  • ISA-88 / PackML
  • ISA-101

Service scope

PLC Programming & Logic Development

Structured, modular control logic for discrete manufacturing written to be maintained.

Scope of work
  • Ladder Logic, Structured Text & FBD per IEC 61131-3
  • Siemens, Rockwell, Mitsubishi & Schneider platforms
  • Modular, reusable function block libraries
  • Structured tag naming and symbol conventions
  • Written for plant maintenance readability

PackML / ISA-88 Machine Programming

A common state model so every machine on the line behaves and reports the same way.

Scope of work
  • OMAC PackML state model and mode handling
  • Standardized unit-to-line integration
  • Consistent machine states across OEM equipment
  • PackTags for line-level data exchange
  • Faster integration of third-party equipment

PLC Code Refactoring & Optimization

Legacy logic restructured and documented without changing machine behaviour.

Scope of work
  • Restructuring legacy logic without changing behaviour
  • Removing dead code, duplicate rungs and bypasses
  • Rebuilding tag naming and symbol standards
  • Scan-time optimization on constrained processors
  • Documentation rebuild for undocumented systems

PLC Migration & Platform Conversion

Obsolete processors replaced and re-commissioned inside available production windows.

Scope of work
  • Platform-to-platform logic conversion
  • Legacy processor and IO replacement strategy
  • Cutover planning within production windows
  • Re-commissioning against original behaviour
  • Obsolescence risk assessment and roadmap

Simulation & Virtual Commissioning

Logic and HMI validated offline so start-up time is spent on production, not debugging.

Scope of work
  • Offline logic and HMI validation before site work
  • Fault-path testing without physical equipment
  • Reduced on-site debugging and start-up time
  • Simulation-based FAT sign-off
  • Operator training ahead of line availability

HMI Design & Visualization

Diagnostics-first operator screens on OEM standards or your own template library.

Scope of work
  • OEM standards: GM GCCS 1 & 2, Ford FAST & GVOSS
  • Native: WinCC, FactoryTalk View, Ignition Perspective
  • Custom client templates and style guides
  • Diagnostics-first fault, IO and sequence screens
  • ISA-101 high-performance HMI principles
  • Multi-language and shift-handover support

Machine & Plant Automation

Work-cell through multi-station line architecture, sequence design and fault recovery.

Scope of work
  • Work-cell through multi-station line architecture
  • Sequence of operations and control philosophy
  • Safety interlock coordination with control logic
  • Robot, vision and third-party device integration
  • Station-level fault handling and recovery
  • Cycle time and bottleneck analysis

Motion Control & Servo Systems

Servo axis configuration, coordinated motion sequences and safe travel strategy.

Scope of work
  • Servo axis configuration and tuning
  • Indexing, positioning and cam profile logic
  • Motion-to-PLC data interface design
  • Coordinated multi-axis sequence development
  • Torque, position and homing diagnostics
  • Safe motion and travel limit strategy

Industrial Networking & Communication

Plant-floor topology, addressing and protocol architecture up to the enterprise layer.

Scope of work
  • EtherNet/IP, ProfiNET, ProfiBUS, Modbus TCP/IP
  • IO-Link device integration and diagnostics
  • OPC UA and MQTT for plant-to-enterprise data
  • Topology, addressing and segmentation design
  • Managed switch and VLAN configuration
  • Network fault diagnosis in live production
Engineering standards

Standards applied
to this discipline.

Work in this category is developed against the published standards below, applied consistently regardless of the hardware vendor on the line.

IEC
IEC 61131-3
Programmable controllers Part 3: Programming languages

Defines the standard programming languages for programmable logic controllers Ladder Diagram, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text, Instruction List and Sequential Function Chart together with common data types and the program organisation units that structure a project.

Applied in practice
  • Language selected per routine rather than by habit
  • Reusable function block and POU libraries
  • Structured tag, symbol and comment conventions
ISA / OMAC
ISA-88 / PackML
Batch control models & the OMAC packaging machine language

ISA-88 establishes the procedural, physical and recipe models for controlled equipment. PackML applies its state model to discrete and packaging machines as a fixed set of machine states and modes, with PackTags as the standard data interface for line-level exchange.

Applied in practice
  • State and mode engine implemented per machine
  • Consistent behaviour across mixed OEM equipment
  • PackTags interface for line and MES data exchange
ISA
ISA-101
Human-machine interfaces for process automation systems

Covers the HMI lifecycle from philosophy and style guide through design, implementation and change management. Specifies display hierarchy, colour discipline and alarm indication conventions intended to shorten operator time-to-detection and reduce response error.

Applied in practice
  • Display hierarchy from line overview to device diagnostics
  • Muted process graphics, colour reserved for abnormal states
  • Common navigation and screen standards across the plant
Project execution methodology

Twelve steps.
Every engagement.

Each engagement follows the same sequence from discovery through post-commissioning support, so scope, documentation and validation are never negotiated mid-project. Every step closes on a named deliverable.

Define 01–05
Build 06–08
Deploy 09–11
Sustain 12
01 Define

Discovery

Review of existing equipment, process requirements and production constraints, including what is already installed and what cannot be interrupted.

Deliverable
Existing-condition review and constraint register
02 Define

Requirements Definition

Requirements captured and documented against client specifications and applicable process standards, so scope is agreed before design begins.

Deliverable
Requirements document referenced to client specification
03 Define

Functional Design Specification

Control philosophy, sequence of operations, interlocks and interface requirements written and approved before any software is developed.

Deliverable
Approved Functional Design Specification
04 Define

IO List Development

A structured input/output list establishing the interface between field hardware and control software, and the reference for both wiring and logic.

Deliverable
Controlled IO list and tag register
05 Define

System Architecture

Control network, hardware and communication architecture defined across the PLC, HMI, SCADA and MES layers, including addressing and segmentation.

Deliverable
Network and hardware architecture drawing set
06 Build

Software Development

PLC, HMI and MES application development to IEC 61131-3 conventions against the approved FDS, using modular and documented code structures.

Deliverable
Application code with in-line and external documentation
07 Build

Simulation

Offline validation of logic and operator screens, including fault paths, before any equipment is available moving debugging off the production floor.

Deliverable
Simulation model and offline test record
08 Build

Factory Acceptance Testing

Structured functional validation against the FDS prior to shipment or site deployment, with defects logged and closed before mobilisation.

Deliverable
Signed FAT protocol and closed punch list
09 Deploy

Site Acceptance Testing

On-site validation against the approved FDS under live equipment conditions, confirming behaviour matches what was specified and tested.

Deliverable
Signed SAT protocol against the approved FDS
10 Deploy

Commissioning

Equipment energization, sequence validation, interlock proving and production ramp-up support through to stable output.

Deliverable
Commissioning log and production ramp-up record
11 Deploy

Training

Operator and maintenance training on system operation, screen navigation and diagnostics, so the plant can run and troubleshoot the system itself.

Deliverable
Training material and signed handover package
12 Sustain

Support

Post-commissioning remote and on-site support for optimization, change requests and issue resolution, with scheduled system health reviews.

Deliverable
Support log, change record and system review reports
Discuss a project

Talk to the
engineer,
not a sales desk.

Production challenges involving unplanned downtime, retrofit planning, MES integration or new line commissioning can be reviewed directly with engineering leadership. Initial technical consultations are used to understand current control architecture, process constraints and desired outcomes before a proposal is issued.

Engineering leadership
Prashant Mohan Pednekar
Founder & Principal Industrial Automation Consultant

Industrial Automation Project Engineer with 8+ years designing and developing PLC, HMI, SCADA and MES solutions for the automotive and material handling industries.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India