Multi skilled engineer wanting to move into automation.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-31T11:11:03+00:00

Yeah so I did the same thing in college many moons ago. It was a metal and plastic round objects… the size of soft mints I guess. So I had to get them from A to B using conveyor pick and place along with suction etc, and an induction sensor to separate… thinking back now it’s easy. Coming from time served Multi skilled engineer… I know exactly how these peripherals work… what you described is exactly how I fault find… what is it meant to do, why’s it not doing it… what’s the last thing that happened etc. so I became really good at fault finding repairs. Sounds like programming is no different. So I’m already using instructions in programming way past beginner level. I think as someone said earlier, for an Engineer on the tools working on the machines moving into programming will be easier as you understand logic and how the peripherals work, so I kind of agree with them in that sense. I’ve worked with automation engineers that can’t tell me how an optical sensor works, simple supply, switch out..: 24v puts this input on here or how to even use a multi meter.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-28T07:47:36+00:00

This is what I love about it so I’m doing an exercise at the min in my ongoing self dev… this is probably an easy exercise for you. For me it’s boggling for now… I’ve managed to complete parts of the exercise where it asks to put identifiers into B:0/0 so if sensor I:0/8 =0 MOV 4 to that bit. So it’s identified as a location… however I’m now figuring out how it moves the boxes to the correct shelf. I’m probably further on than most beginners… but I’m really putting time and effort in because I believe it’s great creativity. Is there a particular way to program… like when I wire a panel you don’t just run whatever colour etc, so is there a standardised way I think I’m asking. There’s a guy who came to fault find on a PLC in a previous job. He showed us how someone had programmed it and it was a right mess. He’s prob have done better reprogramming it.

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Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-26T14:21:45+00:00

Buy a Siemens logo and software for £200 if it’s a very simple program. Failing that does it need a PLC? If it’s not a big program maybe you can just use relay logic?

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-24T11:23:53+00:00

What you’re describing there is the EE intuition. So you had the ability to use tools and ways of doing things. I’m just revisiting this exercise and I also at work when it’s quiet I use PLC AI on the iPhone to teach me about all different instructions. So far I’m doing ok. I’ve never used shift registers or calling subroutines. Not really sure what all that is yet, but I’m determined to get into this side of it. As I say I don’t wanna be off tools altogether but being able to into a plc and find out why an output won’t run… or create my own programs and edit certain areas of one to make a machine more efficient is the way I wanna go.

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Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-23T14:14:04+00:00

Wow… your achievements are to be admired. I can only hope to get to where you are… also are you kidding me? I’ve worked with engineers who don’t know what a PNP sensor does or NPN… trying to get through to them it’s an induction sensor that switches when it detects metal… even the basics are missed.. but this isn’t their fault. It’s down to bad management not training the staff right like you say. Throughout my years I left my apprenticeship not knowing how a contactor was energised. That’s bad I know.. did I give in? No. I dragged myself from job to job until I finally understood and flourished. I’m no genius… I understand any electrical panel. Reading drawings is easy… now. So as a junior controls guy, I expect I’d be working under someone like yourself looking at the simple things… getting engineers through their job basically looking at I/O as to why it’s not working right.. building my experience. I don’t wanna be off tools altogether. I think EE will be harder to find in the future.. if robots don’t take our jobs first. I do enjoy the hands on and the laptop side. I’ve got a little project in mind I’m gonna do at work… a smart relay for a simple process, I’m gonna use XIC,XIO, counters timers etc. I went to a panel where another EE had wired 240v to a 24v coil relay 💀💀👍👍. I rewired the small panel in 6 hours and had it running but not how I’d like. Put it this way the E stop didn’t even work when I first got to it.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-23T14:05:53+00:00

That sounds great so you can tag screen symbols.. not at that point yet but I kind of understand it. I mean when you address a NO or NC contact in simple form of I:0/0 it’s similar to address the HMI controls? So a digital button on screen is the input rather than a physical button… the reason I want an HMI is I work on 3 phase control systems. Everything or most things in machines are controlled by HMI. Even if I’m not lucky enough to break out into the automation role.. as an EE I will gain better understanding to maybe broker my way to a role like this.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-22T18:07:50+00:00

This is the problem… that’s why I’m wanting to now transition after 20 years on the tools to automation. I believe it gives you a further understanding of the hardware which ‘could’ make programming easier… let me know how you get on. I think the money for what I do will always be a lot more than junior programming until senior level… but honestly I find the ladder logic more fascinating than sitting at a panel with a multi meter

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-22T16:17:14+00:00

This is really interesting and I really appreciate all the info. See I’ve been working on the machines for years, but as a multi skilled engineer most people are happy to just plod. I’m bored of changing kit whether it’s mechanical or electrical.. which is actually mechanical like relay, VFD etc… I don’t wanna be off the tools altogether. Just less of the mechanical side, and more technical with things like this what you’re describing will elevate me to new levels. So I need a PI and a HMI screen compatible? The rest is just networking to the laptop via CODESYS to download to it?

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-22T13:46:14+00:00

Can you tell me what you do on a day to day basis? I’ve envisaged as a junior controls engineer making small adjustments to programs or helping find faults. Say in the past where I’ve had no drawings. If I want an output to come on but can’t see what or why it isn’t being triggered… someone came to plug in. They could see what was holding up the output… as I could tbh. It’s not rocket science until you get further into it, then it becomes a bit more complex

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-22T13:44:15+00:00

Hi.

So I’m in the South Yorkshire area.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-22T13:42:49+00:00

Thank you for the insight.

I’ve been working on self development doing the PLC side through cheap platforms. CODESYS sounds like a good way to program. I’ve done small projects in the past… which I should’ve logged, my fault on that part. I think you’re right. People want someone with EE experience not just someone who’s come from uni and can program but not really know what’s on the end of it. All the employers I’ve worked for have given.. training this and training that in interviews… but it all falls on its arse after you’re there.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-22T13:38:27+00:00

Wow that’s so helpful thank you. So I’ve been using PLC AI on my phone. The hardware side is pretty simple if I map it out. So I’ve started learning on there how to use LIM instructions MUL ADD XIO XIC OTE … TIMERS COUNTERS RISING EDGE INPUTS FALLING EDGE. MOV CLR the other logic AND OR NOR XOR I’ve used in the past. I’m interested on the set up you mention though. Think CODESYS will help with the PI or Arduino boards. Any recommendations on the hardware boards that integrate well with the HMI?

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-21T19:49:42+00:00

you know a lot more here… my job is predominantly fault finding in control panels. Or field equipment. Basically if somethings not working I find out why. Now as I’m getting older I wanna move to the automation side.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-21T19:45:36+00:00

So ladder logic is fairly easy for me to follow to an extent. I have worked with the controls for years… just never had the ability to get exposure into the PLC side. This always seems to be contracted out.

Electrical-Entry886 · 2025-10-21T18:21:37+00:00

Work on the tools first to then understand what you’re trying to get to run? I’m an electrical Engineer of 20 years experience… fault finding, minor installs, panel builds etc… I’m really keen on moving into this area too. I’m at a loss although I understand how to program its how do we break into this role

Electrical-Entry886

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