A&C AUTOMATIONSSYSTEME & CONSULTING GMBH

We supply innovative automation solutions to a wide range of industrial sectors and have been doing so from the heart of Salzburg for over 40 years. Moreover, in 2023 we received the Austrian Export Prize in recognition of our global success. We not only work with the very latest control and SCADA systems, but have also developed our own “VISTA LIS” camera system for the inspection of transparent objects.
In 2023, VISTA was allocated the WIKARUS Business Prize, which is Salzburg’s most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurial and innovative achievements. For our clients we create customised solutions, which cover areas that extend from camera inspection with integrated AI, to control systems for machines and plant-wide processes.

A&C offers E/I&C services in the area of industrial plant automation, which extend from consulting and hard- and software engineering, to turnkey projects and networks, etc. ...  Read more here

Over the years, we have continually expanded our portfolio of systems and tools. You will find a related list here.

Apart from the services mentioned above, A&C also completes turnkey projects. These can involve multiple process control and server client systems for operations and data archiving, PLC-based machine controls and migrations, i.e. the exchange of existing controls ...

 Read more here

Experience shows that production machinery and processing plants frequently have longer life cycles than switchgear and control systems. New switchgear with the related automation can increase machine availability and reduce costs.

We are pleased to offer flat rate migrations for transport, filling, bagging and palletizing systems, as well as saws, sawmills and sorting machines ... Read more here

For us, the topic of networks relates to the stability and safety of automation systems (operational technology - OT), on the one hand from controls to the servers and on the other, from the servers to the operating stations. Moreover, in view of the fact that an increasing number of “external” accesses to the automation network such as data logging, office use and remote maintenance have become necessary... Read more here

Functional descriptions (written or verbal) serve as a basis for control applications, function plans and interlock diagrams, or existing control applications. A&C transcribes verbal, functional descriptions into written form, which are then presented to the customer or the operator for examination and approval. In the case of pure migration projects ... Read more here

At the beginning of a project, we deal with all the most important aspects of the plant planning during personal discussions with our customers. Owing to their experience our designers are able to think in interdisciplinary terms and therefore other areas of activity are also accounted for during detailed planning ... Read more here

A&C supports its customers during the entire duration of E/I&C, greenfield and brown field projects... Read more here

Today, cameras constitute the "eyes" of automation. Machine vision encompasses technologies and methods that enable the image-based, automatic inspection and analysis of applications such as automatic quality control, process control and robot guidance... Read more here

Over the years, we have continually expanded our portfolio of systems and tools. Here you can obtain an overview.

Apart from the services mentioned above, A&C also completes turnkey projects. These can involve multiple process control and server client systems for operations and data archiving, PLC-based machine controls and migrations, i.e. the exchange of existing controls in the course of a follow-up project or the PLC of another manufacturer, the integration of new machine parts into an existing process control system or other customized camera- or sensor-based inspection systems.

Process control systems
A&C plans hard- and software in accordance with customer stipulations and specifications. In addition, A&C and its long-term partner companies build control, peripheral and computer cabinets. In this regard, state of the art process control systems also offer the possibility of operational level virtualization and we are pleased to present our customers with the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the differing costs of this solution, or a conventional implementation.
Following engineering, A&C prepares the appropriate environments or actual hardware for the testing of each simulation, which is then completed jointly with the customer. After the successful conclusion of such tests, commissioning can commence.
We are pleased to involve our customers in the various engineering, testing and commissioning phases, in order to both save project costs and simplify any subsequent maintenance and minor adjustments to the process control system.

PLC, machine-related controls
As in the case of process control systems, A&C plans the hard- and software in accordance with customer stipulations and specifications. A&C designs the control and peripheral cabinets, which are then built by long-term partners. Integrated panels or PCs are employed as operating surfaces.

Testing and inspection equipment
A&C draws up concepts for camera- and sensor-based testing and inspection equipment in accordance with customer requirements. This equipment is either integrated into ongoing production processes (with links to existing control systems, process control systems or OPC servers), or is installed as a stand-alone solution with its own control and operating unit. The choice is always dependent upon the respective demands of the customer or the production process.

QCS, cross and machine direction regulation
Originally developed for the coating of lengths of cartonboard for beverage packaging, our PCS7-based cross and machine direction regulation is also used in paper and board machines. The A&C QCS application is programmed in SCL and to date has been employed mainly in PCS7 environments although the code can also be utilized in other PLS or SPS environments.

Experience shows that production machinery and processing plants frequently have longer life cycles than switchgear and control systems. As a rule either no, or only second-hand, spare parts are available, enlargements cannot be implemented or new functions are planned. In the plant modernization field we offer an extensive services portfolio and new switchgear with the related automation can raise machine availability and lower costs.

We are pleased to offer flat rate migrations for transport, filling, bagging and palletizing systems, as well as saws, sawmills and sorting machines.

For us, the topic of networks relates to the stability and safety of automation systems (operational technology - OT), on the one hand from controls to the servers and on the other, from the servers to the operating stations. Moreover, in view of the fact that an increasing number of “external” accesses to the automation network such as data logging, office use and remote maintenance have become necessary, we recently began to also focus on these issues. We offer the planning of new networks, the adaptation and modification of existing networks, the operation of industrial networks, remote maintenance management and error searches in industrial networks.

Functional descriptions (written or verbal) serve as a basis for control applications, function plans and interlock diagrams, or existing control applications.
A&C transcribes verbal, functional descriptions into written form, which are then presented to the customer or the operator for examination and approval. In the case of pure migration projects (the 1:1 substitution of the controls, the replacement of an old PLC with an up-to-date control system without an increase in speed or the integration of other areas, machines or functions), on the basis of an existing PLC application (or solely using the existing circuit diagrams and input/output card assignments), a detailed function check and documentation are completed, partly in teamwork with the operator.
We program the application software for the process control systems and the PLC, which are then tested by the programmers themselves (during factory acceptance tests (FATs) or site acceptance tests (SATs) with or without the customer or operator).

For the operating surfaces (human machine interface (HMI)), we prepare proposals, which are presented to the customer for examination and approval. These are then scrutinized during testing and released for commissioning in the plant. A&C always attaches great importance to the fact that the programmers put their own applications into operation. As a result, the customer has the same contact partner from the beginning to the end of the project, which avoids software concepts being once again altered completely on the construction site.
Depending upon the scope of the project, the programmer spends a few days on site following commissioning in order to accompany the production processes. All of these are to be tested by the customer along with any variations and this allows the pinpointing and correction of any functional errors.

Basic Engineering:
At the beginning of a project, we deal with all the most important aspects of the plant planning during personal discussions with the customer. Mutual trust is created through the constant flow of information between the customer and A&C and misunderstandings are thus avoided.

Detail Engineering:
Owing to their experience, our designers are able to think in interdisciplinary terms and therefore other areas of activity are also accounted for during detailed planning. Documentation is prepared for new plant, the modification/enlargement of existing capacity and retrofitting. This takes place in line with all relevant standards and regulations and concurrently with the project and not first at its conclusion.