Frequently asked questions
Scope, pricing, platforms, ownership of code and how we handle emergencies. If your question is not here, call us — we answer the phone.
What does a first conversation with Sigma Delta look like?
A twenty-minute call in which we ask which machine or line is causing trouble, how often it stops, what has already been tried and who owns maintenance. You receive a written summary the same day, including our honest view on whether we are the right firm for the work.
Do you work on machines you did not build?
Most of our work is exactly that. Roughly two thirds of our engagements involve equipment installed by someone else, frequently without current drawings. Documentation recovery is a service line precisely because it is so common.
How is a project priced?
Fixed scope with milestone billing. After a site assessment we issue a proposal listing deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, dates and price. Additional work is quoted before it starts, so there are no hourly surprises at the end of the month.
What does an engagement typically cost?
Assessments run from $4,800 to $14,000 depending on the number of lines. Single-machine retrofits usually start around $6,500, integration projects fall between $18,000 and $95,000 per cell, and retainers begin at $1,900 per month. Firm numbers follow the site visit.
How quickly can you start?
Assessments can normally be scheduled within two to three weeks. Project starts depend on panel lead times and your production calendar; we book commissioning windows well in advance so the line stops when you plan it to.
Do you handle emergency breakdowns?
For retainer clients, yes, with defined remote response windows during business hours and an escalation path outside them. We do not offer 24/7 emergency cover to non-retainer clients because we will not promise coverage we cannot honour.
Who owns the code and drawings?
You do. Source code, tag databases, drawings and test scripts are handed over in editable, unencrypted formats at close-out. We keep an archived copy for support purposes only, and only for as long as you remain a client.
Which PLC and SCADA platforms do you support?
Day to day: Rockwell ControlLogix and CompactLogix, Siemens S7-1200/1500 with TIA Portal, Omron NJ/NX, Beckhoff TwinCAT, plus FactoryTalk View, WinCC and Ignition on the visualisation side. We are vendor-neutral and hold no distribution agreements.
Do you build control panels in-house?
We design panels, produce the layout and bill of materials, and have them built by UL 508A certified partner shops in San Jose and Hayward. We supervise build quality and run the factory acceptance test ourselves.
Can you support plants outside California?
Yes. We regularly work in Nevada, Oregon and Arizona where scope justifies travel, provide remote support across the continental United States, and deliver bilingual English/Portuguese documentation for companies with Brazilian operations.
Do you sign NDAs and follow site safety programmes?
Always. We sign client NDAs before receiving drawings, carry general and professional liability insurance, and complete site-specific safety induction and contractor onboarding before any floor work.
What if the assessment shows we do not need you?
Then the report says so. That has happened, and those clients have referred us more work than most. An assessment that saves a plant an unnecessary capital request has done its job.
Still unanswered?
Send the question by email or call the office. You will get a direct answer from an engineer, and a written summary if it is technical.