ENG / 10 Urquhart / capability

Control engineering

Move from unstable behaviour to a testable control approach.

Bounded PID review, simulation, embedded firmware and controller prototypes for non-safety-critical or client-supervised applications.

Describe the requirement Review the scope

Who it is for

A defined service for a recognisable technical problem.

Teams with an underperforming control loop
Developers needing a simulation or proof of concept
R&D projects combining sensors, firmware and control

Problems addressed

Oscillation, slow response, overshoot or noise sensitivity
Tuning changes made without a model or test method
Sensor, actuator and sampling limits hidden inside a software problem
Prototype requirements mixed with production or safety responsibility

Included

Available data, architecture and objective review
Control approach and tuning methodology
Simulation or bounded prototype where selected
Assumptions, test results and next-step documentation

Not included

Safety-critical or regulated system sign-off
Production certification and manufacturing engineering
Unbounded site commissioning
Performance guarantees beyond the agreed test conditions

Delivery process

Reduce uncertainty in deliberate stages.

Define

Clarify process, inputs, outputs, constraints, sample rates and acceptance criteria.

Analyse

Review data quality, dynamics, saturation, delay and noise.

Model

Develop the proportionate simulation or tuning plan.

Test

Exercise agreed conditions and document residual limits.

Starting prices

Choose the smallest useful commitment.

Regulated, safety-critical and production-conformity work needs separately scoped qualified partners.

See the complete price list

Control-System Consultation

60 minutes

£125

Existing Control-Loop Review

Data, architecture and recommendations

£950

PID Design & Tuning Plan

Model, control approach and methodology

From £1,750

Evidence and limits

Credibility comes from what can be checked.

Objectives and acceptance criteria are defined before tuning is judged.
Available process data and model assumptions are retained with the recommendation.
Prototype results are reported within their actual test boundary, without implying production readiness.

Questions

Before you enquire.

Can you tune a live system remotely?

Sometimes, but only with appropriate local supervision, safe operating boundaries and access to suitable data and controls.

Is PID always the right controller?

No. The process, constraints and objective determine whether PID, feed-forward, state logic or another approach is appropriate.

Can a prototype go straight into production?

No assumption should be made that a proof of concept is production-ready. Compliance, reliability, manufacturing and lifecycle work are separate.

Start with evidence

Describe the current system and the outcome you need.

Include the main constraint, the people affected, the timescale and any existing specification. UDS will confirm the most proportionate first step.

Send the project brief