Services

Cutting-edge Automation and Controls Support

ACI has been partnering with companies in a variety of industries for more than 25 years.  Today, we implement automation engineering and OT, Network solutions, and provide plant support to several midwest manufacturing plants.

ACI Innovative Solutions can benefit your Manufacturing Facility

  • EPLAN Design Software for designing Control Panels using exact digital twins of the parts.
  • UL 508A Control Panel Fabrication techniques to Minimize Arc Flash Exposure to Maintenance Personnel.
  • An Integrated Safety PLC allows our systems to achieve the desired Safety Integrity Level (SIL) to protect personnel.
  • Industrial Redundant Servers that can be configured to host HMI software for an entire plant using Thin Clients.

EPLAN Design Software for designing Control Panels using exact digital twins of the parts

  • Develop a preliminary BOM that includes AC Drives, Servo Drives, Motors, Safety PLC, and Misc Parts.
  • Start a New EPLAN Project and import the BOM into the database.
  • Do a Panel Design and verify the Control Panel is large enough for the Components selected + 25%.
  • Prepare Schematics with wire numbers and submit to Engineering for a UL review and modify BOM.
  • Order the BOM, Prepare schematics, and export the wire numbers to the wire label machine.

In-house UL 508A Control Panel fabrication techniques to minimize Arc Flash exposure to maintenance personnel

  • Mount the Viewing Window, Ethernet Port, Voltage Monitor, and Enclosure Cooling Components.
  • Mount the Components on the Sub-panel and wire according to the schematics.
  • Mount the Sub-panel in the Enclosure and wire the components on the enclosure according to the schematics.
  • Power Test the Panel with the correct Voltage and Validate the Panel Functionality including Safety and HMI.
  • Perform a QA check to be sure all labeling is correct and Hard copies of the Drawings are in the Panel.

Integrated Safety PLC allows our systems to achieve the desired Safety Integrity Level (SIL) to protect personnel

  • We select Components and follow the Manufacturers specifications that will meet or exceed the desired SIL.
  • We configure the Safety IO points as part of an overall desired SIL based on the Components selected.
  • We use Programming Instructions and techniques that support achieving the desired SIL.
  • We share Safety Status with the Non safety PLC program to allow for optimal results in the process.
  • We Validate the System and Password Protect the Safety portion of the program to prevent Non authorized changes.

Industrial Redundant Servers that can be configured to host HMI software for an entire plant using Thin Clients

  • ACI Creates a Virtual Machine (VM) and Installs Host Operating System (OS)
  • ACI Installs and Configures the HMI Software and Communication Application.
  • ACI Installs ThinManger and configures the Thin Clients based on the Host (OS) and HMI Software.
  • ACI Tests the Applications and Communication to PLC to verify functionality.
  • ACI Configures a NAS Drive and Software for Automated Backups.