Chris Elston

In case you have not heard all the "buzz", there will be a FIRST Robotics special on ABC tonight on TV at 7PM. Here is a link to the show at 7pm. http://abc.go.com/shows/iam-first-science-is-rock-and-roll This was filmed during the FIRST Robotics Championship in St. Louis this year. It's interesting to see how Dean and Will.I.AM have gathered many celebrities to spot light S.T.E.M and FIRST. Should be an interesting show on FIRST Robotics and what others think about FIRST Robotics that haven't seen or heard about it yet. Enjoy the show if you catch it on TV.

I need a Maintenance Engineer for a very successful Automotive Tier One in Northern Kentucky. Needs to have an engineering degree. Needs to have at least 3 years in an automated automotive facility. Needs to have several of the following skills/experience: PLC Programming experience or Robot Programming Pneumatic and Hydraulic experience Automated welding experience a plus Some experience with Auto CAD or similar packages a plus Some experience in machine design/modification a plus Good benefits. Salary in the $60 to $75k range. Help with relocation. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact me as soon as possible. Thanks, Rodney Hosford Account Executive MANAGEMENT RECRUITERS OF TALLAHASSEE, INC. 743 E Tennessee Street Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 219-3039 Office (850) 942-2793 Fax rodney@mrrecruiter.com www.mrrecruiter.com

Anyone else get this when you visit Knowledgebase? I tried both Chrome and IE. Same thing.

They must have fixed it. I am "IN" now. Captcha box still exists.

Here is one from RS Logix 5000. A simple Walking Beam. walk-beam-sample.pdf

Just finished up a summer float with my 4-H Robotics kids. Here is a short video: Build pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23529760@N03/sets/72157626876388697/ Complete with a moving ferris wheel and 10 circuit slip ring. Nice little 14 day build project. Of course, used light-o-rama on the float sync'd to music.

What ever scanner you pick. I recommend a "RASTER" scanner for conveyor applications. I seem to have better luck with them getting a good read on the bar code. You can get cheaper scanners that just send out a single laser line and some sales guy will tell you that if the box is moving the single line laser will pick it up. With raster laser, it does much better either box moving or stopped.

Sure here is one I did awhile ago. example.pdf example.RSS

This is my style of programming. Somewhat.... As mentioned before, I used the STEP variable to drive HMI animations. I also am able to set a range of outputs at any given step. So if there is a change in sequence. Say today..I wanted output #1 to be on during steps 10-40. Tomorrow I change it to 10-50. It's easy by changing a limit statement, and no ladder logic has to be edited. I evolved from bit -latch and bit -unlatch concepts to a method similar to what you have described. I think it's easy to change sequence and easy to understand.

I've used this: http://www.bannerengineering.com/en-US/products/5/Vision-Sensors-and-Vision-Lighting/14/Vision-Sensors/379/PresencePLUS-P4-COLOR-Series/ and this: http://www.cognex.com/support/downloads/File.aspx?d=1844&l=1033&m1=InSight&m2=3 I liked the 1100C mostly because I was partial to Cognex... Color cameras aren't so cheap. I hope you have a budget for it.

Can you just use a color sensor? Like a Keyence color sensor instead of a color camera?

Position Description: • Provide effective engineering level support to resolve production equipment faults and runtime issues in a timely manner to minimize downtime and lost production; • Identify opportunities to eliminate/reduce design bottlenecks with goals of improving OEE, reducing COPQ metrics and enhancing overall system reliability; • ‘Hands on role’ utilizing the PLC, Vision and motion controls development software to analyze and resolve production issues; • Interface with production team leaders, skilled trades, operators and software tools to perform root cause analysis and implement solutions; • Participate with other PCT engineers in continuous improvement activities including software change development, validation and implementation in accordance with company procedures; • Provide training to skilled trades, production and engineering staff in the setup, use and maintenance of the production systems. The selected candidate is required to possess the following: • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Technology, Controls Information Management, Computer Science or related discipline; • Strong troubleshooting skills working with PLC Code; • Ability to work with both Allen Bradley and Siemens PLC systems; • Self motivated with strong communication skills to provide meaningful feedback to team leaders on root cause determination and recommended corrective action(s) to be taken; • Experience working with systems based on Microsoft SQL Server databases; a sound working knowledge of SQL database design, stored procedures and query development; • Provide daily feedback to the PCT lead engineers for each line on the issues and resolutions handled. Preferred Qualifications: • Knowledge of Cognex vision systems, Fanuc Robotics and motion systems. Laurie Nielsen The Redwood Group, LLC (402) 578-3484 http://www.linkedin.com/pub/laurie-nielsen/0/687/7b4 Twitter: RWlead

Via: Samara Shapiro Our client, a global leader in the material handling and supply chain solution industry, has operations in 22 countries including 18 satellite offices in the United States. Their products and solutions are utilized in retail and wholesale distribution centers, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, grocery, and automotive industries. This company offers industry leading benefits, competitive salary, tuition reimbursement and relocation funds. The Controls Engineer will participate in the design of systems that integrate hardware and software. The position will support material specification and schematic preparation resulting in overall customer satisfaction. Experience with Allen Bradley PLC's and AutoCad required. Experience with Siemens and Modicon a plus. Ability to travel approximately 40% required. If you are open to hearing about new opportunities I would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your experience and further discuss this opportunity. Please feel free to contact: Samara Shapiro, CPC samara@division10personnel.com

from: Megan Hamburg megan@bridgewaypro.com We are reaching out to you about an engineering position available with a client in Indiana... The opportunity is titled 3rd Shift Automation Engineer, and is located in Auburn, IN. Additional Details: Join this Solid company - Global, Tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry looking for an: Looking for highly motivated, technically capable individual. Primary responsibilities include: • Support Production by troubleshooting and programming Plant Automation • Responsible for programming and designing PLC controls for new equipment • Project Management on new Automation Projects • Data collection from Plant Automation Qualified individuals will possess the following: • Bachelor's degree - BSEE or BSME preferred • 3-5 years experience designing and programming industrial control systems • Strong electrical engineering skills • Strong electrical/mechanical/programming troubleshooting skills Critical technical skills and experience include the following: • ControlLogix, PLC-5, and SLC ladder logic programming • HMI programming using PanelBuilder, RSView, Visual Basic, and Intellution, DVT • Allen Bradley 1305, PowerFlex, Kinetix, and Ultra series drives programming • ABB and FANUC robot programming and integration • Industrial control system design using AutoCAD • Allen Bradley Remote IO and DeviceNet experience • Ethernet networking experience • Data collection using RSBizWare is desirable • Siemens S7 programming experience a plus If you or someone you know has interest, please reply. And the best next step if you personally would like to be considered is to send back a current resume; if it appears to be a fit we will call you promptly. Thank you for your time! Kind Regards Megan

Rockwell may not have an Ethernet I/P, but third party has some for SLC chassis http://www.prosoft-technology.com/prosoft/products/for_rockwell_automation/platform/slc/mvi46_dfnt

Me personally, I have never seen the value of DIN RAIL cutters in general. This works great: http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/dewalt/products/D28700.asp Little bit of a buff on a buffing wheel and you are good to go.

I saw that too, I am the ADMIN, I could have fixed it...duh... Here you go:

So as many of you know, I mentor a FIRST Robotics team. Without going too much into details of the robot, (team secret for now) I was wondering if I could pick your brains...this might be a simple reply for some (like Peter comes to mind) but at any rate, I would like your input. So we have a lift on our team's robot this year. Picture if you will a fork-truck type lift. The lift is connected via a chain to a gearbox, which is turned by an electrical 12 volt motor. The gear box is 12:1 ratio. The motor has plenty of power to lift the lift up and down. The load is about 5 lbs plus the weight of the lift which is 10 lbs. So about 15 lbs total on a 12:1 ratio gear box. When we energize the motor full speed (+12 volts applied) to raise the load, the speed of the lift is about 30 inches per second going UPWARD. There is no strain on the motor and the motor is rated for the load. When we energize the motor full speed (-12 volts applied) to lower the load, the speed of the lift is about 60 inches per second going DOWNWARD, because it's got gravity helping it... When the motor is not energize, no voltage and the lift is raised to the top, the lift will "creep" slowly downward. So it's not a "free fall" lift with no power. But the weight of the lift is back feeding the chain, to the gear box and the motor. The 12:1 ratio isn't enough to keep the lift still when the motor has no power. This is not a big deal to us in our design and not a safety concern. So it doesn't take much motor power to make the lift come down.... 5-7 volts? We have a 1000 PPR encoder on the output shaft of the gear box (12:1) and a speed controller controlling a 12 VOLT motor. We are using a National Instruments cRIO controller running a Lab view app with a PID. Now that you have all that mechanical details. I've done a few PID tunes, most have been horizontal loads. I assume and we are expecting to have a different tune for the UP direction of the lift, verses the DOWN direction of the lift. While helping the programming team last night, we were able to tune the UP DIRECTION of the PID with no problems. It actually looks pretty sweet. But we struggled with the downward direction. P = 0.8 I = .03 D = .002 (values I remember) Up direction looks nice… The lift is position based. We send a command of 30 inches while the lift is at 0 inches, and the lift moves up to position and hold 30 inches. When we are up at 30 inches and command a downward direction of 0 inches, the lift drops violently, no matter what kind of a tune we place in the PID. Either P only, PD or PI tune... Again, we expect the up direction will have a different tune that the down direction because of the free fall load. How can we slow down the lowering? So it does not reach 60 inches per second free fall with motor assist? One thing on the speed controller command output works like this: -1 = -12 volts to the motor 0 = 0 volts to the motor 1 = +12 volts to the motor The motor has no brake. We did not try and "limit" the downward output of the speed controller, we may try this tonight. Will this HELP in keep the lift from dropping like a dead weight to limit our output of the speed controller to say something like -0.4 (5 volts)? Or do you have any other suggestions we can use for a dead weight PID tune for our downward direction?

That's excellent. Our team is still trying to win a regional. We've gotten SILVER three times now. Hope to get a GOLD medal one of these days. Glad Delta is helping out the youth and shaping them into Scientist or Engineers.

This was just Tweeted: http://twitter.com/PhoenixContact/status/60372121448218624 Today! in PA! http://www.phoenixcontact.com/careers

That's great Peter. Now next, you'll need to help mentor them. That's when it really starts to get fun. Glad you support a FIRST team!

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=575

Thanks. I fixed it. I think...

I wanted to follow up with this thread. Back when this was posted, because of my "teams" trade secret rules, I wasn't able to explain what we where doing much. Now I can. And again, those that don't know me, I mentor a high school robotics team, Team THRUST 1501. http://huntingtonrobotics.org/. So I teach / mentor kids in high school about electrical, software, and control systems. Even pneumatics. So here is a video of the robot we made this year that pertains to the above questions. Thanks everyone for your help. It turned out great. Here are the kids explaining what they learned this year: Here was the 2011 GAME, we played this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYBUKZ6r5Hc&feature=player_embedded Pictures of the robot being built: http://www.flickr.co...57626193445801/ Mini-bot Proto-types: (we didn't have much success with this....) http://www.flickr.co...57626363065382/ Competition Pictures at Purdue: http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamthrust1501/sets/72157626260996318/

I had a good week training an awesome group of guys from Nissan. In talking with one of the supervisors, they are looking to hire students about ready to graduate from college or tech schools in the Nashville, TN area. They are looking for about QTY (60) Automation Techs. Yeah...wow...PM me for details. So if you are a student just out of college in that area, might be a good place to start. They have over 2000 Fanuc robots, 300+ Yamaha robots, and about that many Mitsubishi robots. Mixture of PLCs. In the new area, they will have all Omron PLCs. But in the other areas of the plant they have AB, GE, and Siemens PLCs that they need support with. Good luck. ..and Nashville, TN is a sweet town to live in...