AEC considers documentation to be the cornerstone of all
projects. The effort expended in documentation and the
quality of the documentation distinguish Automation Engineering
Corporation from our competitors. This philosophy is demonstrated
during the preliminary engineering and project definition
phase with the submittal of overview drawings and text
documents. Frequent submittal of drawings in progress,
information needs lists, and demonstration programs support
this commitment to documentation. The final documentation
package submitted with projects routinely draws favorable
comments from customers.
AEC recommends that almost all engineering projects begin
with a preliminary engineering phase. This phase is often
funded as a separate project. The goal of preliminary engineering
is:
On completion of preliminary engineering
and award of a design contract, detailed engineering
begins. One
of the keys to AEC's success is the quality of our documentation. In
addition to a complete set of electrical and mechanical
drawings, you can expect to receive a
GRAFCET
sequence control document as well as complete setup,
configuration, maintenance, and spare parts documentation.
Frequent design reviews and data exchange are emphasized
throughout the design to eliminate misunderstanding of
the customer's requirements and to ensure that the design
stays on track in light of the customer's changing needs.
All systems delivered by AEC are exhaustively tested in
the office and fabrication facility before shipment. This
testing typically includes fabrication of simulation equipment
where necessary. This testing phase results in systems
which are robust, thoroughly exercised, and reviewed prior
to delivery.
-
Discover relevant information, requirements,
and parameters of the project.
-
Precisely learn and state the scope
of supply for system design.
-
Develop a functional specification
for the finished product which can be used by the
customer on an independent basis.
-
Produce engineering overview drawings
to define physical layout and sensor location.
-
Produce concept drawings to document
machine operation and size.
-
Produce engineering overview drawings
to define control system hardware architecture
and network architecture.
-
Produce a list of inputs and outputs
for the control system.
Produce a list of screens
for the Operator Interface. |
Produce
a list of database structures, recipe structures,
and data flows. Produce
a list of control enclosures. Produce
a bill of materials. Produce
list of drawings which would be produced
during design. Produce a preliminary
time-line for design, fabrication, and installation. Produce
a detailed breakdown of costs of engineering
services, hardware, fabrication, simulation
and testing, documentation, and design. Produce
other descriptive documents as required by
the project to completely define the control system
and mechanical engineering to be performed
in the design phase. |
These documents specify a system to the level required
for successful bidding. At the conclusion of preliminary
engineering, we deliver an engineering documentation package.
This package is complete and sufficient to be used to solicit
proposals from AEC or other system integrators to supply
the specified control system. Performing preliminary engineering in this manner, before
committing to a major capital project, reduces the unknowns.
The level of information concerning project requirements
is improved, and potential problems are uncovered and addressed
early in the design. Having a good estimate of the time
and budget required to complete the project reduces the
subsequent cost of the design and engineering. |
