Prizm Engineering Powers Ahead with New Automation Test

A Big Win for Local Innovation

Prizm Engineering is proud to announce the successful commissioning of our new Prizm Engineering Automation Test Bench. A cutting-edge asset with the potential to strengthen local engineering capability and drive innovation across the Gladstone region. This achievement was made possible through a grant from the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. It recognises the project’s potential to boost Gladstone’s manufacturing capability and create high-skill local jobs. The grant provided the opportunity for Prizm to design and construct this advanced automation platform, with construction executed by Logitech Engineering.

What Is the Automation Test Bench?

The Prizm Engineering Automation Test Bench is a highly advanced setup that allows Prizm engineers to design, test, and simulate processes before they are built or installed. Think of it as a digital workshop where engineers can safely and efficiently simulate how machines, control systems, and software would function, before they are installed in a production environment.

The test bench includes industry-standard process control equipment such as:

Rockwell CompactLogix

Rockwell ControlLogix

Siemens Simatic S7-1200

Schneider Mc80

Delta DVP22EX3

SCADAPack 474

2 x VSD’s, 3 x HDMI’s

These systems are widely used across Gladstone heavy industry, water & wastewater treatment plants, and other automated process facilities. Having all these systems available in one place allows Prizm to work with a wide range of clients to test, improve, and optimise their automation systems before they are installed and used in operations.

For example, take a water treatment application, Prizm engineers can use the test bench to replicate the entire control process of a water filtration plant, including pump control, valve sequencing, and chemical dosing systems. This allows the engineers to build a digital twin of any process plant. By simulating operations in a test environment, the team can optimise automation logic and run operating scenarios to ensure that water quality, flow rates, and pressure controls stay within the required specifications. Only once the full control system is proven, is it installed in the physical operating plant. This significantly reduces the risk of system faults and operational interruptions when new or upgraded control system are commissioned, allowing customers to bring new infrastructure online faster, safer and more efficiently.

In the alumina and aluminium production industry, such as at Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) or Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL), the test bench can be used to model complex manufacturing processes for instance material handling, furnace temperature regulation, or refining control systems. Engineers can test and optimise how programmable logic controllers (PLCs) manage critical sequences when feeding the of alumina powder, controlling furnace temperatures, or coordinating conveyors before those systems are implemented on-site. This ensures maximum reliability, minimises production downtime, and supports continuous improvement initiatives across Gladstone’s major industrial facilities.

Why It Matters for Gladstone Industries

Gladstone has long been recognised as Queensland’s powerhouse for heavy industry. The establishment of the new Automation Test Bench further strengthens this position by providing local industries and government authorities with direct access to automation expertise within the region.

Previously, much of this specialised testing and development work had to be undertaken interstate. With this new capability now available locally, critical projects and associated employment opportunities can remain within the Gladstone region, supporting local growth and strengthening the regional.

The Automation Test Bench enables Prizm Engineering to deliver a fully integrated suite of automation services, encompassing design, system delivery, integration, and ongoing maintenance. Local industries will benefit from reduced project turnaround times, improved support for existing assets, and tailored automation solutions that address site specific operational needs.

By enabling smarter system integration and automation of routine processes, the technology enhances operational efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. For many Gladstone based companies, this translates to reduced costs, improved productivity, and greater long-term resilience in an increasingly competitive industrial landscape.

Supporting Local Jobs and Economic Growth

The project is not just about technology; it is also about people. By expanding its automation capabilities, Prizm Engineering plans to grow its team and create new local employment opportunities for technicians, engineers, and apprentices. The introduction of the Test Bench will enable closer collaboration between Prizm and local industries, strengthening long-term relationships across Gladstone’s manufacturing and industrial community. By working hand in hand with local partners, Prizm aims to enhance service quality, support mutual growth, and help drive continued innovation throughout the region. As Gladstone’s renewable energy and advanced manufacturing sectors continue to grow, Prizm is positioning itself to support that progress with local expertise and cutting-edge solutions.

Driving Queensland’s Digital Transformation

The Test Bench is part of Prizm’s broader vision to embrace the next generation of smart manufacturing. Using advanced technologies such as real-time data analytics and remote system monitoring, Prizm will help businesses move toward more connected and efficient production systems. These improvements will not only benefit local companies today but will also prepare Gladstone’s industries for the future, as automation and digital connectivity become essential to global competitiveness.

A Step Forward for the Community

Prizm’s Managing Team sees the Test Bench as more than just a technical upgrade. It is a commitment to the community. By investing in innovation, Prizm is helping make Gladstone a hub for high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy development, and engineering excellence. The new facility is a showcase of Gladstone’s growing capacity for smart, sustainable, and locally driven industrial solutions.

Looking Ahead

The Prizm Automation Test Bench marks the beginning of a new era for Prizm Engineering and the Gladstone region. With this new facility, Prizm can now deliver advanced automation systems that improve productivity, support local jobs, and build a stronger future for Queensland’s manufacturing industry. As Prizm continues to grow, the company remains committed to supporting local businesses, creating employment, and helping Gladstone lead the way in industrial automation and innovation.