A Day in the life of a Panel Builder...

In this blog we wanted to give an insight into the Panel Building services we provide by taking a snapshot at what typically goes into building a bespoke panel specifically to customer requirements. We followed our crack team of engineers for a day in the workshop, continue reading to see what we discovered....


     1. Design

Task: Pre- construction discussion, pointing out control philosophy, components to be used and their layout. Other considerations at this stage cover electrical hardware, systems sequencing, circuitry plc. Software, machinery and computer interface.

Top Tip: “It pays to get control panel advice before you project starts, increasing the chances of avoiding costly alterations at a later date. In addition, it could also enhance the control philosophy with input from experienced design engineers.”

What Gibbons Offers: Gibbons control panels cover control, monitoring, instrumentation and factory automation. It designs effective but not over complicated systems that are built with quality components, engineered to last.  

     2.  Manufacture

Task: Control components are positioned and fixed to the mounting plate on trestles, prior to installation into the enclosure. Care is taken to allow adequate space and to create a natural component flow e.g. >mcb>contactor>overload>output terminals.

Task: Following the installation of the mounting plate into the enclosure, wiring commences. All wire are terminated complete with an individual number and crimped bootlace ferrule, providing a professional sound connection.

Top Tip: “Panels can be adapted to the application and space requirements. Cubicle heights, widths and depths can be adapted to suit the space needed for the equipment to be housed and any on site restrictions in space availability or installation accessibility.”

What Gibbons Offers: Gibbons specialise in the design and manufacture of motor control centres for the water, food and beverage, general commercial and general industries. It has extensive knowledge of both conventional ‘hard wired’ and PLC based control systems for clean and dirty water pumping stations and most treatment processes. The control panels are usually one-off bespoke systems designed to customer’s’ requirements and specifications. 

      3.  Programming

Task: In house PLC and HMI programming offers customers high tech operator friendly control systems. 

Top Tip: “Check the level of programming expertise that your supplier is able to offer in-house.”

What Gibbons Offers: Latest programming development including special application such as process monitoring, diagnostics and management reporting. 

 

        4.  Testing

Task: The finished control panel is put through a complete simulated operation, allowing customer factory inspection and testing.

Top Tip: “Make sure that CAD electrical schematic diagrams and general arrangement drawings are issued, either in paper or any standard electronic form. Full documentation including FAT (factory acceptance test), SAT (site acceptance test) , method statements, risk assessments and operating and maintenance manuals should all be provided s required.”

What Gibbons Offers: Gibbons has gained a formidable reputation with its customers for a high quality product, reliable delivery schedules, an efficient quoting & Documentation service and excellent after-sales services all at a competitive price. We genuinely care about out quality and service, as our objective is to establish lasting relationships with our customers, many of whom we have supplied since the company was formed.

If you want to download this an infographic, or any of our other useful tips & tricks, click here. 

For more information on the panel building services we provide, please call our Contracts Director, Barry Horsfall on 01621 868138 or email to barry.horsfall@gibbonsgroup.co.uk