About Us Services Automotive Life Sciences Logistics FMCG Careers Contact Us Flexible Resource Book Free Line Review 0121 798 9063
Industry Sector

Automotive Manufacturing
Automation for OEMs & Tier 1 Suppliers

Duke Control Systems delivers automation engineering for the most demanding automotive production environments. With experience on BIW projects in excess of 200 robots, our engineers understand what it takes to deliver complex automotive automation on time, to quality.

Our team has worked alongside OEM and Tier 1 engineering teams on projects across body-in-white, paint, assembly and powertrain. We understand the pace, the standards and the pressure — and we deliver accordingly.

Industry Challenges

What Makes This Sector Different

Complexity & Scale

Automotive projects involve hundreds of robots, complex interlock logic, strict safety requirements and uncompromising quality standards. Experience at this level is non-negotiable.

Timing Pressure

Automotive project timelines are fixed and non-negotiable. Late delivery is not an option. Our structured approach and virtual commissioning capability keeps projects on track.

Quality Standards

OEM and Tier 1 quality standards are exacting. Code structure, documentation, FAT/SAT processes and handover procedures must all meet stringent requirements.

Safety Critical Systems

Automotive cells involve complex safety systems — area scanners, safety PLCs, emergency stop circuits and protective fencing. These must be right first time.

What We Deliver

Our Services for This Sector

Simulation & Virtual Commissioning

We develop robot OLPs in Process Simulate and validate PLC logic in a digital twin before site — minimising risk and ensuring a fast, confident on-site start-up.

On-Site PLC Commissioning

Systematic I/O verification, safety system testing and automatic sequence validation under real production conditions. Structured, documented and thorough.

On-Site Robot Programming

Bringing offline programs to life on the shop floor — refining paths, tuning weld parameters and achieving cycle time targets alongside OEM and Tier 1 teams.

BIW Applications

Body-in-white welding, handling and assembly programming across ABB, FANUC and KUKA platforms. Experience on projects in excess of 200 robots.

Safety System Integration

Safety PLC programming, area scanner configuration, safety gate interlocks and emergency stop systems — validated to functional safety standards.

FAT / SAT Support

Factory acceptance and site acceptance testing support — working alongside your QA team to validate system performance against agreed specifications.

Why Duke

Why Manufacturers in This Sector Choose Us

200+ Robot Experience

Our team has delivered BIW projects with over 200 robots. That scale of experience is rare and invaluable on complex automotive projects.

OEM & Tier 1 Proven

We've worked directly alongside OEM engineering teams and Tier 1 suppliers — understanding their standards, processes and expectations.

Virtual Commissioning First

Our offline-first approach using Process Simulate is now standard practice on automotive projects — reducing on-site time and risk significantly.

Safety Expertise

Functional safety programming and validation to IEC 62061 / EN ISO 13849 — protecting your people and your production.

Structured Delivery

Documented code, formal FAT/SAT processes, thorough handover packs — the professional approach that automotive projects demand.

Global Project Experience

Our team has delivered automotive automation projects globally — bringing international experience and best practices to UK projects.

Platforms & Tools
ABB RoboticsFANUC RoboticsKUKA RoboticsSiemens TIA PortalRockwell Studio 5000Process SimulateBIW WeldingPaint ShopAssemblyPowertrainSafety PLCsArea Scanners
"Working with Duke Control Systems gave us confidence throughout the project. Their engineers clearly knew the systems inside out and their commissioning approach was methodical and professional."
Engineering Manager — UK Manufacturing Client

Discuss Your Automotive Project

Whether you need robot programming for a new BIW line or PLC commissioning support on an existing plant, our team is ready. Get in touch or book a free line review.