Why choose a Designed Electronics Product over a PLC based Unit ?

Control platform considerations . . .​

With many years of experience in control system design we considered the options for providing the best design solution for our customers. Maximising reliability, low power usage, practicality in operation, and lower customer cost.

Today, the usual design route for small control systems is System Integration.

This involves buying parts and connecting them together in an enclosure.

A program is written and downloaded to the system to satisfy the requirements.

The control aspect would typically consist of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with input and output modules.

A user interface, usually a Human Machine Interface (HMI) touchscreen.

Manufacturers advantage -  Very low development costs. High parts cost paid by customers

Customers disadvantage - High product cost, higher power usage, HMI touch screen impractical for operation with gloves in industrial environments. Very little scope for customer discounts with quantity. If a memory back-up battery is required by the PLC the system will not be ROHS compliant. Support for products based on supplying PLC or HMI parts, limited technical backup/support.

Advantage - Graphic images on screen to represent valves and switch status, Ideal for a single one-off custom system

 

Embedded (Microcontroller) based component level design.

(Designed Electronics approach)

With this approach our control systems are designed to optimally meet the required specification.

Low energy, high efficiency components are used in all essential areas.

All components are sourced from mainstream manufacturers, all with source traceability.

As engineers we design using the best and most reliable components available, putting quality above cost in every area.

We design our own membrane control panels with tactile buttons with control system ‘peep’ on every press.

Wipe clean durable and operable with gloves.

All systems are thoroughly tested through various stages of production which is fully documented and recorded with a  24-hour soak tested before despatch.

Manufacturers disadvantage - High development costs, return on investment made on sale of many units. We give a two-year warranty on all of our products. When selling many units, we must have absolute confidence in our products.

Customer Advantage -  Reliable, tested products, optimised for purpose, ROHS and EMC compliant, two-year warranty, full technical backup/support. Clear indication of system status using LED indicators, durable ergonomically designed membrane control panel. Ease of use. High efficiency, Low power in operation. All products are CE and UKCA compliant and carry the emblems to show this,

Note: EMC compliance testing is mandatory for all of our control systems, this applies to System Integrators and component level designed system suppliers.

It is a costly exercise, typically over £4,000 per product. These costs are absorbed by Designed Electronics. These costs are recovered over sales of many units.

When considering a PLC based control system that is retailed for less than this amount it would be wise to ask for evidence of EMC compliance testing and results.