Project management

At Lotus Automation Project management is defined the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives everytime.

System design and development

At the System Design level, LTS offers services for development of customized Integrated System Design environments. LTS can develop System level language front-end models and tools that capture complex specifications of embedded systems.

Installation implementation & supervision

Our project engineer(s) arrive on-site for start-up when all mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic installation is complete and all computers are networked. Start-up assistance includes verifying functionality of the hardware/software and demonstrating the proper operation of the equipment to personnel present at the time of start-up.

Sometimes, especially with first-time customers, it’s nice to have one of our trained professionals on-site to supervise the installation, the setting of the equipment, supplying services, field wiring, etc. We offer this service at a very competitive rate.

System start-up

20 years at Lotus has made this simple we use a knowledge-based approach to safely start-up plant systems and equipment.

Documentation

Automation Projects generate masses of documentation. Worse still, each project usually makes up it's own directory structure to store project documents as it goes along. Time spent tracking down project documents can be significant - even worse when the project documentation you have been working with, could turn out to be an early version that is now out of date. At LTS we use our own document management system ensuring that documents are easy to find and can be viewed in one place. Some documents span more than one project and need to be version controlled and located easily. Our documentation is unambiguous. This eradicates wasted time and potential error in dealings with our clients and regulatory authorities.

Validation

At LTS we believe that Validation is a confirmation or careful examination of an automated system—hardware or software—that ensures that the system meets the exact client/user needs and that it is suitable for its intended purpose. It encompasses more than just QA, testing, or verification. We believe that Validation is of a higher order than those methods. At LTS there are typically two types of projects: those that are validated and those that aren’t. Generally, Automation systems that perform regulated/critical operations should be validated. This includes any system that would:

• Control the quality of an application/product during its development, manufacturing, testing, and distribution.
• Provide data or generate reports, which are sent to critical clients or regulated bodies.
• Create, modify, retrieve, or distribute records that are checked on a frequent basis.
• Provide information on which key decisions are made.

Training

LTS can provide customized training courses for PLC, HMI, Networking, drive and motion control. We are experienced, competitive and flexible.
PLC & Servo Motion Control.

LTS engineers have in depth knowledge and experience of PLC and Servo Motion Control systems, sometimes the process of tuning a servomotor is a mysterious black art. With our years of experience and knowledge we bring familiarity with some of the advanced techniques and can add consistency to what can otherwise be a hit-or-miss process.

HMI/SCADA Systems

LTS are a proven solution provider in the field of Control Automation and Electrical control Systems. Our systems integration team works with leading makes of PLCs, Drives, SCADA and Instruments available in the world today. We have been delivering projects internationally for 20 years.

Machine upgrades

As technology advances and quality control becomes more stringent, it has become necessary for Manufacturers to design and test upgrades that allow their machines to evolve with the changes in today’s market. At LTS We have designed maintenance tools that enable more efficient troubleshooting of machinery. Whether it’s modifying your existing system to run more efficiently, updating obsolete controls, or offering training to help your current personnel manage the system better, we have the tool for you. Some of our upgrades and maintenance tools are listed below. If there is an area that you currently are experiencing problems, and a tool is not listed that addresses it, please contact us. We will work with you to get the problem resolved.

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) manage and monitor work-in-process on the factory floor including manual or automatic labor and production reporting, as well as on-line inquiries and links to tasks that take place on the production floor. Manufacturing Execution Systems may include one or more links to work orders, receipt of goods, shipping, quality control, maintenance, scheduling or other related tasks.

Lotus Automation implements MES systems for clients for a variety of reasons:

• Automated management of recipes (process manufacturers)
• Scheduling, including the management of priorities
• Production reporting
• Key Performance Indicator (KPI) tracking
• Event or exception management
• Product or materials tracking
• Intelligent decisions to influence production and cost management
• Measure and manage Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Ease management of resources, including inventory and personnel

Process Control Systems (PCS) / Distributed Control Systems (DCS)

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

A programmable logic controller (PLC) or programmable controller is a digital computer used for automation of electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or lighting fixtures. PLCs are used in many industries and machines. Unlike general-purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact. Programs to control machine operation are typically stored in battery-backed or non-volatile memory. A PLC is an example of a real time system since output results must be produced in response to input conditions within a bounded time, otherwise unintended operation will result.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA)

There are many parts of a working SCADA system. A SCADA system usually includes signal hardware (input and output), controllers, networks, user interface (HMI), communications equipment and software. All together, the term SCADA refers to the entire central system. The central system usually monitors data from various sensors that are either in close proximity or off site (sometimes miles away).

For the most part, the brains of a SCADA system are performed by the Remote Terminal Units (sometimes referred to as the RTU). The Remote Terminal Units consists of a programmable logic converter. The RTU are usually set to specific requirements, however, most RTU allow human intervention.
One of key processes of SCADA is the ability to monitor an entire system in real time. This is facilitated by data acquisitions including meter reading, checking statuses of sensors, etc that are communicated at regular intervals depending on the system. Besides the data being used by the RTU, it is also displayed to a human that is able to interface with the system to override settings or make changes when necessary.

User Interface (HMI)

A SCADA system includes a user interface, usually called Human Machine Interface (HMI). The HMI of a SCADA system is where data is processed and presented to be viewed and monitored by a human operator. This interface usually includes controls where the individual can interface with the SCADA system.

SCADA

SCADA Software and Hardware Components

SCADA systems are an extremely advantageous way to run and monitor processes.

SCADA can come in open and non proprietary protocols. Smaller systems are extremely affordable and can either be purchased as a complete system or can be mixed and matched with specific components. Large systems can also be created with off the shelf components. SCADA system software can also be easily configured for almost any application, removing the need for custom made or intensive software development.

Client specific systems

Please contact us for all your unique needs

Equipment Specification Writing

Some of the problems associated with equipment can be traced back to improper or poor specification of the equipment. Equipment purchased without a detail specification relies on the vendor to supply their standard equipment or to fabricate according to their own procedures. When this is done, the supplied equipment may not perform as required and be totally unsuitable for use in the intended plant environment.

At Lotus we believe that a properly prepared equipment specification will define the performance requirements of the equipment, materials of construction, fabrication methods and procedures, test and inspection requirements, etc. Proper definition of these items will ensure that the equipment supplied will meet the performance requirements of the plant. The specification is the primary means of communicating and documenting the design, materials, fabrication, testing

Vision Systems

Vision systems are univsrsally used to optimise product quality, reduce manufacturing costs and control traceability.

24x7 Support Contracts

LTS offers a number of Support Contracts and Programs to meet your needs and improve your plant/production line/machine productivity and uptime. We can tailor any we can tailor any predictive/ preventative/ reactive to provide cost saving results. Our support services can assist you maximise the ROI value from your industrial automation equipment.