OEM Automation & Control Systems
Automation Engineering for OEMs and Machine Builders
Original Equipment Manufacturers need control systems that perform reliably on the first machine and can be reproduced consistently across every machine that follows.
PLC software, control panels, HMIs, drives, safety systems and industrial communications all need to work together while remaining practical to manufacture, commission, support and modify throughout the machine's lifecycle.
For OEMs, automation engineering can also become a significant internal resource requirement. Maintaining specialist knowledge across different PLC platforms, electrical design packages and control technologies may not always be practical, particularly when project demand changes.
Stratos provides automation engineering for OEMs and machine builders, supporting control system design, control panel manufacture, PLC programming, HMI development, testing, commissioning and ongoing technical support.
Automation for OEMs and Machine Builders
OEM automation involves developing the electrical and software control systems required to operate manufactured machinery and equipment.
Depending on the machine, the automation system may incorporate:
PLCs.
Industrial control panels.
HMIs.
Remote I/O.
Variable Speed Drives.
Servo systems.
Safety equipment.
Instrumentation.
Industrial networks.
Communication with external equipment.
Stratos can provide individual elements of the automation system or support the wider control system engineering requirement.
This allows OEMs to retain their mechanical and process expertise while accessing specialist automation engineering where required.
OEM Control System Design
The control system needs to reflect how the machine operates while also considering how it will be manufactured, commissioned and maintained.
Control system design may include:
Electrical architecture.
PLC selection.
I/O requirements.
Control panel design.
Drive requirements.
Safety interfaces.
Industrial communications.
HMI architecture.
External system interfaces.
Future expansion.
For repeat machine designs, consideration should also be given to how easily the system can be reproduced without unnecessary engineering changes between builds.
OEM Machine Control Panels
Control panels form a fundamental part of most automated machinery.
As a control panel manufacturer, Stratos can design and manufacture OEM machine control panels around the electrical and automation requirements of the equipment.
Panels may incorporate:
PLC hardware.
Remote I/O.
Variable Speed Drives.
Motor controls.
Safety equipment.
Protective devices.
Power supplies.
Industrial networking.
Relays and contactors.
Operator controls.
Where an OEM produces repeat machinery, an approved panel design can provide the basis for subsequent builds, supporting greater consistency between machines.
PLC Programming for OEM Machinery
PLC software determines how the machine sequences, responds to operator commands and handles abnormal conditions.
OEM PLC development may include:
Machine sequencing.
Automatic operating modes.
Manual controls.
Equipment interlocks.
Motion commands.
Process control.
Alarm handling.
Fault diagnostics.
Recipe management.
External communications.
Structured software is particularly important for OEM equipment because the same machine platform may be installed at multiple customer sites.
Maintaining a consistent software architecture can make future commissioning, troubleshooting and development considerably easier.
HMI Development for OEM Equipment
The HMI is one of the main ways an operator experiences the finished machine.
A well-designed interface should provide clear information without requiring operators to understand the underlying PLC program.
OEM HMI development may include:
Machine status.
Operator controls.
Operating modes.
Setpoints.
Recipes.
Alarm information.
Fault diagnostics.
Maintenance information.
User permissions.
Production information.
Standardised HMI layouts can also help create a consistent operator experience across different machines within an OEM product range.
Drives, Motion and Motor Control
OEM machinery frequently requires precise control of motors and mechanical movement.
Depending on the application, automation may incorporate:
Variable Speed Drives.
Servo drives.
Motor starters.
Positioning systems.
Speed control.
Torque control.
Synchronised movement.
Drive communications.
Drives can be integrated directly with the PLC and HMI, providing greater control and diagnostic information than standalone operation.
Drive selection and control should be considered alongside the mechanical requirements of the machine and the wider automation architecture.
Machine Safety and Control Integration
Safety functions need to operate correctly alongside the standard machine control system.
Depending on the equipment and the defined safety requirements, automation may incorporate:
Emergency stop circuits.
Guard switches.
Safety interlocks.
Safety relays.
Safety PLCs.
Safe drive functions.
Operator reset controls.
Safety status monitoring.
The machine safety architecture should be considered during control system design rather than added after the main automation has already been developed.
Where required, Stratos can integrate defined machine safety requirements into the electrical and automation system while appropriate machine risk assessment and conformity responsibilities remain clearly established.
Standardised Automation for Repeat Machine Builds
One of the major differences between OEM automation and a one-off automation project is repeatability.
Once a machine design has been proven, unnecessary differences between subsequent builds can increase engineering time and support complexity.
Standardisation may cover:
Control panel layouts.
PLC hardware.
PLC software architecture.
HMI templates.
Drive configuration.
Electrical components.
Industrial networks.
Documentation.
Software backups.
Testing procedures.
A standard automation platform can provide a controlled foundation while still allowing defined options or customer-specific variations where required.
OEM Testing, FAT and Documentation
Testing before machinery reaches the customer's site can identify problems while engineering resources and documentation are readily available.
OEM Factory Acceptance Testing may include:
Control panel inspection.
I/O testing.
PLC software testing.
Machine sequence testing.
HMI verification.
Alarm testing.
Safety interface checks.
Drive operation.
Communication testing.
Customer witness testing.
Documentation may include electrical schematics, PLC software, HMI projects, parameter files, I/O information and test records.
Maintaining controlled documentation is particularly valuable when the same machine design will be manufactured repeatedly.
OEM Commissioning and Customer Site Integration
Even where machinery has been tested before delivery, final commissioning may require integration with equipment at the customer's facility.
Site requirements may include:
Final I/O checks.
Equipment calibration.
Drive commissioning.
Production testing.
PLC modifications.
HMI configuration.
Communication with upstream equipment.
Communication with downstream equipment.
SCADA integration.
Production line interlocks.
Stratos can support OEM commissioning and automation integration, helping connect the machine control system with the wider production environment.
This can be particularly valuable where the OEM's machinery needs to communicate with automation systems supplied by other manufacturers.
OEM Automation Support and Lifecycle Management
The automation requirement does not necessarily end when the machine has been commissioned.
As an OEM's installed machine base grows, customers may require software changes, replacement hardware, fault investigation and control system upgrades.
Ongoing support may include:
PLC modifications.
HMI changes.
Remote technical support.
Software backup management.
Obsolescence monitoring.
Replacement component advice.
Control panel modifications.
Automation fault finding.
Machine upgrades.
PLC modernisation.
For OEMs requiring structured engineering support across their machine portfolio, maintenance and service contracts can provide continuity beyond individual projects.
This can also help OEMs continue supporting older machine generations as automation technology changes.
Why Choose Stratos for OEM Automation?
OEMs need an automation partner who understands that the objective is not simply to automate one machine.
The control system needs to be practical to manufacture, repeatable across future builds, straightforward to commission and supportable once machines are operating at customer sites.
Stratos brings together control panel design and manufacture, PLC programming, HMI development, industrial networking, machine safety integration, testing and commissioning.
We can work as an extension of an OEM's engineering team, providing additional automation capability for individual projects or supporting a standardised control platform across multiple machine builds.
This gives machine builders access to specialist automation engineering without necessarily having to maintain every control discipline internally.
Build a Repeatable Automation Platform for Your Machinery
Your automation system should support the way you manufacture machinery, not create additional engineering complexity with every new build.
Stratos helps OEMs and machine builders develop reliable, repeatable control systems combining control panel manufacture, PLC programming, HMI development, testing and commissioning.
Whether you need automation engineering for a single machine, additional resource for an upcoming project or a standardised control platform for a wider machine range, speak to Stratos about your OEM automation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What automation services can Stratos provide for OEMs?
Stratos can support OEMs with control system design, control panel manufacture, PLC programming, HMI development, industrial networking, drive integration, testing, commissioning and ongoing automation support.
Can you manufacture control panels for repeat machine builds?
Yes. Once an appropriate control panel design has been developed and approved, it can provide the basis for repeat manufacture across multiple machines, subject to any required design or component changes.
Can you develop standard PLC and HMI software for our machines?
Yes. PLC software architectures and HMI templates can be developed around an OEM's machine platform, helping provide greater consistency across repeat builds while allowing defined machine options where required.
Can you integrate our machines with a customer's production line?
Yes. Stratos can support PLC communications, machine handshakes, industrial networking and SCADA integration where OEM equipment needs to communicate with other automation within the customer's production environment.
Can you support machines after they have been installed?
Yes. Stratos can provide PLC and HMI modifications, fault finding, obsolescence support and automation upgrades for installed machinery. Maintenance and service contracts can also provide structured ongoing engineering support.