Abacus Automation - innovation and ethics are the hallmark of our success

September 2010 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Established in 1995 in KwaZulu-Natal, Abacus Automation is a Siemens preferred systems integration provider of automation and drive products. Current business development director, Warren Scott, started the company from grass roots together with partner Bryan Smith. Over time they built a thriving company with its head office in Pinetown and a branch in Midrand, Gauteng.

“Our first customer was in the blow moulding industry and we slowly built up a base of customers across the manufacturing spectrum. Business in the beginning was a continuous cycle of looking for opportunities and then executing the work. This continued for about two years until we attained a critical mass of about 50 customers and had grown to four engineers. Our name then became established in the industry’s mind and customers started to contact us,” Scott said.

As the customer base grew, the company appointed a number of technical and administrative staff to ensure they could provide customers with the full automation project package. Alliance partners were also established in order to handle larger turnkey projects and have access to experts in select disciplines. The company currently has 21 employees made up of eight engineers, two trainee engineers, three technical salesmen, one CAD engineer, one panel builder and six administrative/managerial staff. The CC has five members and has a Level 4 BEE certification.

“The projects we have undertaken in South Africa and internationally have given us in-house expertise in chemical reactors, motion control drive applications, OEM and machine upgrade solutions, scada, custom developed computer software and GPRS telemetry. We complete about 50 projects a year and they range in size from S7200 micro PLC applications to multimillion-Rand projects involving multiple drives, PLCs, HMIs and scada,” Scott explained.

Some of the many notable projects undertaken by Abacus Automation include:

Tuna Plant upgrade – an international project with complete electrical and automation upgrade of 17 machines including the networking and scada. This was completed by an eight-man team during a five-week plant shutdown following three months of preparation.

Aluminium foil splicing line – unwinding, splicing and rewinding of aluminium foil rolls carrying 5 tons of 30-300 micron gauge foil processed at 400 m/min.

Carbide press (three-stage mould) – solution design for this complex high accuracy press includes cam profiling of three servo axes and one hydraulic axis. Multiple profile selections are transferred via Profibus to the servo drives and hydraulic controller.

As a Siemens Global Solution Partner, Abacus Automation has been involved in many joint venture projects with Siemens as well as the development of new products for Siemens Germany. “We were one of the first systems integrators appointed by Siemens in South Africa and we have received the award for the most innovative solution five times in the past seven years. We are very proud of this accolade,” Scott said.

“Innovation is the hallmark of Abacus Automation’s success as we utilise the intellectual ability of our engineers to provide serviceable, cost effective, high performance solutions that rise to the customer’s challenges and demands. Concentrating our knowledge base and using a single preferred supplier, Siemens, has streamlined us tremendously. The confidence in the quality of the products and absolute understanding of their capabilities and restrictions means we will always specify the most cost effective solution that exceeds a customer’s specification. This strategy coupled with a Christian ethos is what we trust will carry us successfully through the next 15 years,” Scott concluded.

For more information contact Warren Scott, Abacus Automation, +27 (0)31 702 5767, [email protected], www.abacus-automation.co.za

Credit(s)

Abacus Automation PI SA (PROFIBUS & PROFINET SA)

Further reading:

The state of the SI industry remains strong and is expanding
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The system integration (SI) industry is expanding with the adoption of AI, automation and data sharing, allowing companies to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness across diverse sectors.

Read more...

---

The symbiotic relationship between OEMs and SIs
Schneider Electric South Africa Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
While businesses tend to turn directly to original equipment manufacturers OEMs or vendors when embarking on IT projects, the role of the SI as a key facilitator and partner cannot be overstated.

Read more...

---

Flexible and precise dispensing technology
Beckhoff Automation System Integration & Control Systems Design
The Scheugenpflug ProcessModule axis system forms the basis of Atlas Copco’s dispensing and screwing cells and a flexible integration platform for general contractors and machine builders. Precise process sequences are ensured by TwinCAT CNC and servo drive technology from Beckhoff.

Read more...

---

The time is now for systems integrators
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Integrators combine sophistication regarding technology innovation with practical, hands-on experience. Collaborating with systems integrators is the means to significant productivity improvement, powered by the convergence of automation and information and operations technology.

Read more...

---

System integrators are a diverse market
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
System integrators (SIs) combine expertise on emergent technologies with real world experience. Working with SIs, it’s inevitable that at some point someone will say, “We’re not a typical SI.” And in many ways, it’s true. SIs come in all shapes and sizes.

Read more...

---

Avoiding the pitfalls of PLC and scada control system integration
Iritron System Integration & Control Systems Design
Upgrading your control system by integrating PLCs with scada systems should be a simple seamless process. Regrettably, the industry is plagued with control system integration and upgrade myths and misconceptions that can lead to liability issues, project delays, cost overruns and decreased plant performance.

Read more...

---

EtherCAT measurement terminals for vehicle development at Mercedes-Benz
Beckhoff Automation System Integration & Control Systems Design
At the Mercedes Technology Centre plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, car axles are examined with the highest precision on four test benches, in parallel with road tests and simulations. All data is acquired using PC-based control from Beckhoff.

Read more...

---

Loop signature 23: Tuning Part 2.
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
It is my opinion that most tuning methods are very crude. They do of course also offer a starting point for tuning if one is not fortunate enough to have a sophisticated tuning package like a Protuner around.

Read more...

---

PIC microcontrollers with integrated FPGA features in TME
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The new PIC16F131xx microcontrollers in TME’s offering from Microchip are ideal for the evolving and miniaturising electronic equipment market, offering efficient power management and predictable response times for controllers.

Read more...

---

Five smart machine trends you need to know
Adroit Technologies System Integration & Control Systems Design
The last ten years have brought about dramatic advances in technologies that OEMs had never realised would affect their designs or the saleability of their machines, much less impact business models and profits so dramatically. The following discussion will cover key advancements and recommendations all OEMs should be adopting in their design processes to stay current and competitive.

Read more...

---