| 41 AFI Ltd ENGINEERING Innovative systems at cutting edge T Kelly Deeks AFI is an industry leader in developing automation systems for water and wastewater treatment plants. New Zealand’s industry expert in automation, AFI is continuing its groundbreaking work as new regulations and requirements for the controversial three waters reform programme call for different solutions. Established in 2007 by automation engineer Alastair Cook, AFI specialises in designing, commissioning, and supporting industrial and infrastructure control systems, operator interfaces, and automated electrical systems. Alastair has more than 20 years of experience as an automation engineer, graduating from Massey University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Technology (Hons), having majored in Automation and Engineering. He spent the next seven years as an automation engineer for Easteel Industries where he was solely responsible for the automation of many large-scale industrial boiler installations. “It was in this role that I gained invaluable experience in developing functional descriptions, instrumentation, process design, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software development, electrical design and fault-finding, commissioning, and project management.” Since 2007, AFI has successfully completed many projects within Australasia in a large variety of industries. Alastair says that AFI provides sophisticated, comprehensive, and robust automation solutions which are easy to understand, easy to use, easy to modify, and easy on the eye. “The importance of interface design in an industrial environment may not be immediately obvious, but good user interface design is about clear communication,” Alastair says. “We make control systems as intuitive and easy to use as possible, reducing the time it takes to learn how to use them, and enhancing the safety of staff. “Applying consideration to the usability of our products is an important part of the service we provide.” From an entirely new control system to modifications to existing control systems, AFI has the expertise amongst its team to make it happen. The team at AFI comes from all different sections of the automation and electrical engineering industry, including professional automation and instrumentation engineers, as well as industrial electricians. With a focus on water and wastewater treatment plant solutions, where the automation requirements have really taken off since the waterborne disease outbreak in Havelock North in 2016, AFI is considered the industry expert and is now providing solutions for multiple city and district councils across New Zealand. “Some of the work we have done is groundbreaking,” Alastair says. One such innovation, developed in partnership with water and wastewater software and engineering provider Lutra, is a fully interactive SCADA environment for a water and wastewater treatment plant training simulator, acting as part of NZQA Level 4 accreditation. Now, and also in partnership with Lutra, AFI is developing modular containerised safe water treatment plants called Safewater, for use by councils around New Zealand. Designed and built in New Zealand, Alastair says Safewater offers a pre-designed solution with fixed pricing, with a cost of up to 40% less than a traditional water treatment plant. “With stainless steel fabrication, full duty standby, and integrated compliance reporting, Safewater streamlines the process of supplying safe, compliant drinking water. “Designed with automation in mind, Safewater reduces the risk of human error. “ “We make control systems as intuitive and easy to use as possible, reducing the time it takes to learn how to use them, and enhancing the safety of staff.” www.complete-coms .com Liam: 021 963 395 Neil: 021 429 121 Proud to support AFI Ltd
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