Installation…

As a control systems integrator as well as a fully licensed general contractor, Systems Interface’s next task was implementation.

Since this particular phase of the production process is on the critical path of virtually every commercial aircraft produced by the client’s Seattle area operations, the implementation schedule was tight and demanding.  It had to be installed during the normal holiday shutdown (ten days), and, it had to work perfectly when production resumed.  To complicate matters, training had to worked into the schedule as well.

Systems Interface’s technicians hit the ground running with power saws, conduit, cables, computers, power supplies, and network hardware all operating at full speed.  The pre-assembled Operator Workstations were dropped in place and the new, more robust programmable controller (pre-loaded with the enhanced code) was plugged into it’s chassis, as were two new communications modules.  And, of course, all of the RFID antenna’s (and tags) were installed within specification, connected to the Ethernet network, and tested for read/write function.  Within just a few days the new hardware was in place.

Systems Interface’s software engineers then began the process of starting up and consigning the new system.  Network health was confirmed with our media checking and data “sniffing” tools.  Communications between all devices were then further consigned as data departures and arrivals, reads and writes, and operator functions were validated.  Finally, system software test runs commenced. 

While there were the few anomalies typical of any system start-up, the architecture soon ran as programmed and detailed dry-runs could be completed.  Top notch planning, programming, customer coordination, engineering, design, and overall project management prevailed.  The system was up and running as specified on time and on budget.