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Engineers commissioning industrial automation equipment on site
Service · 10

Commissioning, FAT & SAT

Metromotion Controls runs automation commissioning, FAT and SAT for food and beverage lines, proving batch sequences, CIP modes, interlocks and loops against the agreed control philosophy before handover, delivered by a Mount Waverley control systems integrator for projects nationally.

How we approach it

Engineered for your site and support model

Commissioning is where design assumptions meet real equipment. Metromotion Controls prepares and runs FAT, SAT, loop checks, simulation, cutover plans and production ramp-up support so defects are found, assigned and closed before handover.

01
FAT and SAT procedure development
02
Integrated simulation and test environments
03
Site commissioning execution and supervision
04
Defect tracking and closeout management
05
Cause-and-effect matrices and signed acceptance records
06
Software bill of materials with firmware and application versions
07
Final handover documentation and support
Delivery context

Platforms and vendors

  • PLC simulation
  • SCADA testing
  • Loop checks
  • FAT scripts
  • SAT run sheets
  • Commissioning defect registers

Relevant experience

  • Commissioning support covers greenfield projects, upgrades, line integration and control system audits.
  • Test plans define objective pass criteria, evidence capture, defect ownership and retest steps.
  • Cutovers for live sites include readiness checks, rollback criteria and post-start support.
Section 01

Factory and site acceptance testing

We develop FAT and SAT plans that define objective test steps, pass criteria, evidence capture and defect management processes. FAT usually covers I/O simulation, sequence verification, alarm checks, fail-safe behaviour and operator workflows before equipment leaves the workshop. SAT confirms installed performance, field wiring integrity, process interactions and operational readiness on site. We use structured punch lists with ownership and due dates so issues are visible and closed in a controlled way. This approach helps stakeholders make informed go-live decisions rather than relying on assumptions. It is particularly useful on multi-contractor projects where responsibilities can become unclear under schedule pressure. With disciplined testing documentation, clients gain confidence that system behaviour matches design intent and that unresolved risk is understood before production starts.

Section 02

Simulation before go-live

Simulation shortens commissioning by exposing control and integration issues before energisation. Depending on project scope, we use software simulation, emulation of machine states or hardware-in-the-loop setups to test sequences and exception handling. Protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Profinet and OPC UA can be validated in test environments to reduce onsite surprises. We focus on realistic scenarios, including communication dropouts, instrument faults, utility interruptions and restart behaviour after trips. A practical example is a batching system where simulation identified a deadlock in phase transitions that would have caused lost production during startup. Fixing this early avoided high-cost onsite debugging. Metromotion Controls integrates simulation findings into FAT records so corrective actions are traceable and stakeholders can see readiness progress clearly.

Section 03

Commissioning management

Successful commissioning needs technical leadership and disciplined coordination. Our engineers manage workfront planning, permit interfaces, shift handovers, daily issue review and stakeholder communication through to stable operation. We track key readiness metrics such as open defects, test completion, training status and spare part availability so decisions are based on current facts. For upgrades, we prepare cutover windows, rollback plans and post-start support rosters to protect uptime. For greenfield projects, we sequence subsystem energisation and integrated trials to reduce conflict between disciplines. Handover includes as-built records, backup sets, outstanding actions and support contacts. This service gives project teams a clear path from mechanical completion to reliable production, with fewer surprises and better accountability across all involved parties.

Section 04

What you receive at handover

Commissioning produces a working line and a defined set of records. You receive the FAT plan and test scripts with captured results, the I/O and loop-check sheets, and a cause-and-effect matrix that ties interlocks and shutdowns back to the agreed control philosophy. We hand over a software bill of materials listing firmware, library and application versions so the installed system can be reproduced and supported. Open items sit on a punch list with an owner and a due date against each one, and acceptance is confirmed with a signed record once criteria are met. As-built electrical drawings, network maps and verified PLC, HMI and SCADA backups complete the package. After start-up we hold a defined stable-operation support window to settle early faults and confirm the line performs as intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions

Who should attend FAT and SAT sessions?

Typically controls engineers, operations representatives, maintenance, project management and relevant vendors. Involving end users early improves test quality and reduces surprises during final startup.

How do you handle defects discovered during SAT?

Each defect is logged with severity, owner and target date. We track closure transparently, retest affected functions and confirm evidence before moving issues to complete status.

Can commissioning be staged to fit production priorities?

Yes. We regularly plan staged energisation and line-by-line commissioning so critical production areas can return to service while remaining scopes are completed safely.

Related work

Related project proof

Project

Lactalis Australia

Lactalis Australia needed programming, commissioning and production support across multiple dairy sites, each with its own installed base and running production that the work had to fit around. Metromotion Controls worked across Bendigo, Echuca, Tamar Valley, Longwarry, Rowville and Lemnos, validating CIP sets step by step so cleaning sequences met hygiene requirements before lines returned to product, and carrying SCADA work in Citect consistently across the site systems. The engagement covered process upgrades, OEM installations, CIP validation and SCADA work.

Project

Chobani

Chobani needed a controls partner to help establish its Australian manufacturing operation with new production lines and site infrastructure, and the relationship has had to keep adding and optimising lines without disturbing production already running on site. Metromotion Controls supported the initial setup and has continued to add, optimise and support production lines over the years, bringing process, packaging and site services onto common control and data interfaces so each addition extends one operating environment rather than a separate island. The scope spans plant services including boilers, refrigeration, trade waste, power monitoring and water usage monitoring, plus OEE, site data analytics and contextualised production data from lab equipment and other external sources.

Project

Arnott's

Arnott's needed a current-state view of control system infrastructure to guide future automation investment, drawn from equipment installed and extended over many years with limited consolidated documentation. Metromotion Controls completed a structured audit through an on-site walkthrough, identifying and documenting the existing control assets, architecture and network so each could be assessed for obsolescence risk. The work produced prioritised recommendations covering assets, architecture and obsolescence risk.

Related service pages

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