System integrator Electronic Drives and Controls (EDC) in Parsippany, New Jersey, renewed its benchmark certification with the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), reaffirming its commitment to maintaining technical and business performance standards in delivering control-system integration for industrial automation and drive technology.
"EDC provides drive and control systems for users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) mostly in both the wire-and-cable and coating-and-laminating industries," says Chuck Dillard, vice president, EDC Systems Group, at Electronic Drives and Controls (Figure 1). "Winding profiles and tension control are some of the areas we really excel in. We are unique, in that we also have a self-reliant service department that troubleshoots and repairs all kinds of control systems including variable-frequency drives (VFDs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs) from most any manufacturer."
One of EDC's latest projects controlled a 48-inch-wide copper strip that is unwound and passed through many plating tanks and then rewound, all in a hostile but very tension-sensitive process in the manufacture of flexible printed circuit boards, explains Dillard. "There were 22 vector and servo drives, multiple remote I/O racks and PC-based HMI with data acquisition and historical trending," he says.
“Maintaining our CSIA certification helps promote the documenting of operating procedures that ultimately removes many obstacles to growth,” says Dillard. “It helps to make sure the business is set up for longevity. Customers want to know you will be there for the long haul and the CSIA Best Practices Committee does a great job providing a road map to that end.”
CSIA is dedicated to advancing the field of control-system integration by focusing on the overall management of a system-integration business. To earn CSIA certification, companies must showcase a dedicated commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality, performance and reliability. This entails adherence to the CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks across 10 critical areas, spanning both technical and operational realms.
CSIA certification offers clients the assurance that the control system integrator is an established organization committed to cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships. CSIA-certified companies undergo a recertification audit every three years. This process promotes adherence to business practices and ongoing business improvement. It is imperative for companies to complete the audit before the expiration date to maintain their certified status.
"Selecting a CSIA-certified system integrator represents a strategic decision to work with a vetted professionally managed control system integration company,” says Jose Rivera, CEO of CSIA. “The certification process requires a substantial investment to meet the best practices’ stringent performance criteria, demonstrating the company’s commitment to excellence. By choosing a system integrator (SI) that has embraced the CSIA's best practices and successfully achieved certification, you're choosing a partner dedicated to implementing industry-leading standards in your facility."
To achieve or renew CSIA certification, a thorough examination is conducted by a third-party auditor, with a primary objective to validate the comprehensive implementation of CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks across 10 critical areas. These encompass general management, human resources management, business development and sales management, financial management, project management, system development life cycle, quality management, technical management and various other ancillary activities.
Founded in 1968, EDC’s field service team specializes in ac and dc drives, PLCs and factory automation. Family-owned and operated for more than 50 years, EDC’s team of engineers and technicians has experience integrating new control systems and breathing life into older equipment.
EDC has the engineering capability to design, build, start up and service projects from the sophisticated to the simple and the service support team on call 24/7/365 to keep it all running at peak efficiency. In addition to the company’s certification as a Siemens Solution Partner and a Rockwell Automation Recognized System Integrator, EDC is a factory-authorized/factory-trained service center for more than 40 drive brands.
