Be clear upfront to avoid costly mistakes later
01 May 2009
Failing to invest time getting a clear and full brief and a tendency to go for the cheaper option could prove to be a false economy when it comes to building panels and networks, warns Paul Taylor
Panel builders can face a number of challenges when asked to supply a customer order. From the location and use of a panel and the network it will have to support, the budgetary constraints affecting the specification, through to a potential lack of clear instruction from the customer. It is not necessarily a straight-forward task to construct a panel which meets its unique needs.
Considerations
So, what are the primary considerations and issues to tackle? Firstly, it is vital that a panel builder takes into account the environment in which the panel and communications system will be located. For instance, it is important to be aware of the potential factors arising from a harsh manufacturing or engineering site such as the presence of dust, vibration or heat all of which can affect the performance of a panel and network. Such potential problems can lead to breakdowns and downtime for a valuable customer and potentially damage chances of another panel being specified.
By checking elements such as how the panel will be ventilated and ensuring this will not be influenced by problematic environmental factors such as dust potentially entering through an unprotected fan, then builders can make sure their panel is best placed to run effectively and efficiently in a specified working location.
It is also important to consider the temperature ranges that panels can withstand and if they are electro-magnetically compatible, as both these factors can have potentially negative effects on reliability. Purpose-built products for panels tend to offer extended temperature ranges and compatibility with electro-magnetism, so these often offer a more effective option for panels required to perform in harsh working environments.
Requirements
As well as the physical hardware of a panel, the network system used for communications on a site or plant needs to be able to cope with the tough demands it faces. This is where ‘rugged’ networks specifically designed to stand up to harsh working environments offer an ideal solution. They are a much preferable option to standard IT networks which can often fail under the strain of an industrial site, causing downtime, loss of productivity, reduced efficiency and increased cost to the business.
Secondly, it is vital that clear communication between the end-user and panel builder underpins the whole specification and build process. This will ensure that the panel built is fit for purpose and that the customer will not be disappointed with a panel which does not work effectively or that is unreliable.
While panel builders are having conversations with customers to specify the build of a panel, it is also crucial that the budget is clearly agreed. It may seem like the best option to go for the cheapest possible initial outlay for the panel and to offer your customer a good deal for repeat service. However, if this means compromising on the level of product quality you have to use, then it can be a short-term mistake. It is often the case that a customer will specify exact products to cover the PLC, motor starters and VSD, but when it comes to other elements of a panel, it is easy to cut costs and go for cheaper versions, and this is often a false economy.
Reliability
To ensure you get repeat service, the panel and network system has to be reliable so that the expense of downtime caused by failure of the installation is avoided. Investing in top quality parts for a panel may come at a slight premium initially, but if you factor in the requirement to keep a plant or factory running and avoiding costly downtime, the return on investment will pay dividends.
The cost issue is also a case where education of customers is vital. It is important that end users are aware that a larger initial cost for the parts included in a panel should reflect a higher level of quality and reliability, which will mean less failure, a reduction in downtime and sustained productivity levels. It will keep the bottom line as flat as possible - obviously of paramount importance to all businesses.
On top of the reliability and efficiency of a panel, the aesthetics also play a central role. A panel which does not look like a professional product can have a negative effect on the customer’s view of you and your work despite how the panel performs.
In summary, in a competitive industry, it is vital that panel builders have clear and in-depth conversations with their customers to ensure they provide a highly professional product, which is able to cope with the environment it is placed in, and delivers performance and reliability and not the additional costs associated with downtime.
Paul Taylor is business manager for Industrial Communications at Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies
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