Automation Projects & Capabilities

Ashfield Vision and Automation provides practical, end-to-end automation support for industrial machinery, from electrical rewires and PLC upgrades to machine vision integration and commissioning.

Projects range from targeted improvements on existing machines to full machine refurbishments and control system upgrades, working with both modern and legacy equipment.

The focus is always on reliability, clarity, and keeping machines productive, rather than unnecessary replacement.

Machine Rewiring & Refurbishment

We have extensive experience carrying out full and partial rewires of large industrial machines, including the removal of legacy wiring, installation of new control systems, and recommissioning in live production environments.

This includes:

  • Full machine rewires
  • Replacement or refurbishment of control panels
  • Rationalisation of I/O and field wiring
  • Integration of new hardware into existing machinery
  • Bringing older machines back into reliable service

Work is carried out with an understanding of how machines are actually used on the factory floor, with minimal disruption wherever possible.

Read & Print, Mailing & Production Machinery

A significant area of experience is within the mailing, print, and fulfilment industries, including read-and-print systems and associated automation.

This includes work on:

  • Mailing machines
  • Card attaching and inserting machines
  • Feeders, folders, and transport systems
  • Inkjet and print verification systems

Vision systems are often installed as part of a wider machine upgrade, integrated with PLC logic and machine control rather than supplied as standalone units.

Machine Vision Systems

Machine vision is used where it adds genuine value — for identification, verification, and error reduction.

We design and supply:

  • Ready-to-deploy vision systems for barcode reading, OCR, and visual verification
  • Bespoke vision solutions for more complex inspection or identification tasks

Vision systems are typically:

  • Integrated with existing PLC control systems
  • Linked to HMIs for clear operator feedback
  • Used to improve reliability and reduce manual checks

Vision is treated as part of the overall machine, not an isolated add-on.

PLC, HMI & Control Systems

We provide PLC and HMI programming, upgrades, and modifications across multiple platforms, including Omron, Schneider, and Mitsubishi.

Capabilities include:

  • New PLC and HMI programs
  • Modifications to existing logic
  • Legacy system support and upgrades
  • Commissioning and documentation

Control systems are developed with a focus on maintainability, making future fault finding and changes straightforward.

Control Panel Design & Modification

Control panel work includes both new panels and modifications to existing panels, depending on the requirements of the machine and site.

This includes:

  • Panel design and layout
  • Panel rewiring and refurbishment
  • Integration of new drives, PLCs, and power supplies
  • Improvements to wiring clarity and reliability

Panels are built and modified with serviceability and long-term use in mind.

Fault Finding & Technical Support

Practical fault finding and breakdown support is provided across a wide range of industrial equipment.

Support includes:

  • Electrical fault diagnosis
  • PLC and HMI troubleshooting
  • Vision system faults
  • Intermittent and hard-to-trace issues

Support can be provided on-site or remotely where appropriate, either on an hourly basis or as part of a wider improvement or upgrade project.

Typical Projects

Projects commonly involve:

  • Upgrading older machines with modern control systems
  • Adding vision verification to existing production lines
  • Rewiring and recommissioning machines with reliability issues
  • Integrating new automation into legacy equipment
  • Supporting production teams with ongoing technical issues

Our Approach

Every project is approached with a practical mindset:

  • Existing machinery is supported wherever possible
  • Solutions are designed for real production environments
  • Clear communication and straightforward engineering are prioritised

The aim is always to deliver robust, understandable systems that keep machines running and reduce downtime.

Get in Touch

If you have an automation project, machine upgrade, or ongoing support requirement, we’re happy to discuss your application.

📞 Phone: 07970 067451
📧 Email: sales@ashfieldvision.co.uk

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