EPICS Control System Development

We specialise in the development of control systems using EPICS ​(Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) software tools. EPICS is a powerful framework widely used in the scientific community to create distributed, scalable, and reliable control systems. Our team has extensive experience in designing EPICS-based architectures, developing custom software modules, integrating various hardware components, and configuring communication protocols for seamless control and data acquisition.

Personnel Safety System Development

Ensuring the safety of personnel is of utmost importance in any facility. Our group excels in the​ development of safety systems that provide comprehensive protection and interlock mechanisms, using Omron Programmable Safety Systems. We work closely with our clients to identify potential hazards, assess risks, and design safety protocols tailored to their specific requirements. Our safety systems incorporate sophisticated interlocks, fault detection algorithms, and emergency shutdown mechanisms to safeguard human operators.

Device Integration

We possess in-depth knowledge and expertise in integrating a wide range of devices and instruments into control systems. Whether it involves complex scientific instruments, detectors, or other specialised equipment, our team has the capability to seamlessly integrate them into the control system infrastructure. We work closely with equipment manufacturers, instrument scientists, and facility operators to ensure smooth interoperability, efficient data exchange, and optimal performance.

​Signal Digitisation

Accurate and high-speed signal acquisition is crucial for many scientific experiments. We specialise in signal digitisation using ADCs (Analog-to-Digital Converters) and FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Array), enabling precise measurement and real-time processing of analogue signals. Our team can design and implement data acquisition systems that capture signals with high resolution and fidelity, while also performing advanced signal processing tasks on the FPGA to enhance data quality and reduce latency.

PLC Programming & Motion Control

PLCs are a common sight on many modern industrial control systems, and the scientific facilities we work on are no different in that respect. We use Omron PLCs to provide highly robust machine protection, as well as control and monitoring of slower changing signals, such as temperatures and flow rates, where the high-speed FPGA systems described above are not necessary. When it comes to motion control, we favour Beckhoff controllers and our team has extensive experience with complex multi-axis systems.

Collaboration and Support

We understand the importance of collaboration with scientific experts in achieving successful outcomes. We actively engage and collaborate with scientists, researchers, and facility operators to ensure that our control systems and safety interlocks are tailored to their specific scientific requirements, drawing on their domain knowledge to inform our decision-making processes.

With our comprehensive capabilities and commitment to excellence, we enable scientific research facilities to achieve advanced control, safety, and data acquisition solutions tailored to their specific needs.​

The Control Systems and Safety Interlocks group is part of Daresbury Laboratory's Engineering Technology Centre and our offices can be located in the Tower building.

​​​​​​​Contact us

​For queries regarding Control Systems and Safety Interlocks, please contact Graham Cox.