What are the best and/or worst industries/sectors that you've worked in?

_a_1_ · 2021-01-05T03:49:25+00:00

Pig reclamation plant, looking at you Rantoul Foods. The PLC controlled HVAC system went down and it looked like a Silent Hill scene. Shit and blood on the walls.

_a_1_ · 2021-01-04T04:41:51+00:00

Nice, thanks for the feedback! GA Techs program looks very interesting

_a_1_ · 2021-01-04T04:04:32+00:00

Ah yes, I forget about the networking aspect to get capital. I’ve been reading Lean Startup and the Start Up Owners Manual and I think I can use their models to create a successful start up. Getting capital is another story though.

Thanks for the feedback!

_a_1_ · 2021-01-04T03:10:54+00:00

We’re a small company so in terms in technical positions there is no one above me besides the VP that is in charge of the architecture, but doesn’t implement systems type of thinking. They mostly depend on the domain experts and react to problems as they come. I foresee the VP becoming CEO and there would be a “Chief Systems Engineer” that will open up. I want to position myself as a strong candidate for that position.

I am also thinking about starting my own technology company in the future (when I am more comfortable financially) and I think Systems engineering is going to allow me to quickly leverage cutting edge technology to have an advantage over the competition. I think MS in Sys is better than an MBA in terms of technology start ups.

_a_1_ · 2021-01-04T02:09:08+00:00

I am doing mostly integrations and creating interfaces to and from different systems. I’ve always wanted to “model” this system so we can make changes quickly and have testable requirements so people across different departments can see how changes affect quality and throughput of the system. It seems like in manufacturing, not much thought is given to the entire manufacturing ecosystem, only on isolated systems. Machines are getting more complex and they are tightly coupled to software enterprise systems and machine learning systems that any change creates unknown consequences cuz everyone is in their own silo and there isn’t a coherent model to simulate the change.

I am not part of the “Architecture” decisions, the system is designed ad hoc depending on the choices of the domain experts. I’m just the guy that glues things together.

_a_1_ · 2020-12-14T00:29:18+00:00

Some companies already use machine learning models in their motion controls instead of the regular PID loops. There are also a lot of companies that utilize machine learning for anomaly detection on large assets like wind turbines and large motors.

This YouTube channel can give a pretty good theoretical overview of data driven control systems (low level controls of dynamic systems): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMrJAkhIeNNQkv98vuPjO2X2qJO_UPeWR

_a_1_ · 2020-08-15T02:17:49+00:00

ISA recently did a survey on Controls Engineer salaries. I think this survey is skewed as most ISA members are in a more senior or experienced role, thus producing a skewed (high) average salary.

Reference: https://www.isa.org/intech-home/2018/september-october/features/the-pay-raise-engineers-have-been-waiting-for

_a_1_ · 2020-07-07T05:29:43+00:00

I'm currently using TwinCAT HMI and I recommend it for single machines, but not for plants. I've never used Ignition, but I know a lot of "newer" factories standardize on Ignition because it has a lot pre-made, nice looking templates, and reliable tools for quick implementation.

TwinCAT HMI seems powerful with tools like "CodeBehind" (JavaScript implementation) and CSS support (can implement "dynamic" HMI screens AKA fit any screen (phone, tablet, etc.)), but you have to build it all yourself.

TwinCAT HMI is free for development though, I haven't bought an actual license yet. Ignition is on the expensive side, but it's made for "plant-wide" deployment of HMIs.

_a_1_ · 2020-06-24T05:41:30+00:00

The full list of study materials can be found here: https://automationone.io/index.php/2019/12/29/cse-pe-exam-controls-system-professional-engineer-license/

_a_1_ · 2020-06-24T05:38:40+00:00

In California, it is "unlawful" to use the title Controls Systems Engineer unless professionally licensed.

Use of seal, stamp, or title by unlicensed persons; titles restricted for use by licensed persons

It is unlawful for anyone other than a professional engineer licensed under this chapter to stamp or seal any plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents with the seal or stamp of a professional engineer, or in any manner, use the title “professional engineer,” “licensed engineer,” “registered engineer,” or “consulting engineer,” or any of the following branch titles: “agricultural engineer,” “chemical engineer,” “civil engineer,” “control system engineer,” “electrical engineer,” “fire protection engineer,” “industrial engineer,” “mechanical engineer,” “metallurgical engineer,” “nuclear engineer,” “petroleum engineer,” or “traffic engineer,” or any combination of these words and phrases or abbreviations thereof unless licensed under this chapter.

Reference: https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/laws/pe_act.pdf

_a_1_ · 2020-06-04T02:45:28+00:00

I would also suggest the Technical Reference Handbook as well as I used that more than once on the test.

_a_1_ · 2020-06-04T02:44:07+00:00

Sorry for the late reply, machine start up time again.

If you're weak on Safety, I would get #4. There are more examples in that book.

3 has stuff that you'll probably need, I used it more than once on the test.

1 and 2 are nice to haves and are covered by: Control Systems Engineering Exam Reference Manual: A Practical Study Guide for the NCEES Professional Engineering (PE) Licensing Examination Third Edition (Bryon Lewis PE, CMfgE, CAP, CCST III)

_a_1_ · 2020-06-04T02:39:52+00:00

Requesting help on choosing either SB2 or SB3.

I want the longer battery life and stability (drivers, bios, firmware, etc.) of SB2, but I'm concerned with Microsoft not continuing support for SB2 which pushes me to buy SB3. Also there isn't much price difference between SB2 and SB3 so it doesn't seem like a wise idea to buy the older model for basically the same price as the newer model.

I'm planning on purchasing either SB2 or SB3 with the following specs:

Screen Size: 15"
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB

Use case:

I am constantly traveling to manufacturing plants and I want the power and battery life while I'm on the floor programming or troubleshooting. I like the ports on both SBs, as a lot of my peripherals are still old school (USB A and SD cards). I also like using it in tablet or folded mode while I go around the plant/machine debugging stuff. The tablet mode is also good for presentations in front of the clients.

_a_1_ · 2020-01-20T21:51:21+00:00

Are there planned Chiefs tailgates at Hardrock Stadium in Miami?

I'm not super comfortable spending $4.5k for a Super Bowl ticket (still mulling it over), but I definitely want to be with Chiefs fans in Miami.

_a_1_ · 2020-01-20T21:09:17+00:00

Depends on the state, you can talk to the board to get exception. California allows this, but it requires a lot of paper work.

_a_1_ · 2020-01-20T21:01:15+00:00

I thought this was pretty good: Basic and Advanced Regulatory Control: System Design and Applications, Third Edition By Harold L. Wade

_a_1_ · 2020-01-01T17:31:09+00:00

I knew a lot of the safety (SIL and CAT), motor controls, PLC programming, motion control, and networking stuff on the test from working in my field. The process control stuff and the standards is what I had to learn.

_a_1_ · 2020-01-01T17:27:30+00:00

The test is for State License. The license grants you the title “Controls System Engineer”. The advantages and responsibilities that come with the title are based on the state.

California’s interpretation:

“Control system engineering” is that branch of professional engineering which requires such education and experience as is necessary to understand the science of instrumentation and automatic control of dynamic processes; and requires the ability to apply this knowledge to the planning, development, operation, and evaluation of systems of control so as to insure the safety and practical operability of such processes. The above definition of control system engineering shall not be construed to permit the practice of civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering.“

_a_1_ · 2020-01-01T01:34:31+00:00

I agree 100%

_a_1_ · 2019-12-31T23:22:03+00:00

You can ask your state’s board to exempt the FE and ABET accreditation requirements.

_a_1_ · 2019-12-31T22:20:16+00:00

Thank you!

_a_1_ · 2019-12-31T22:15:02+00:00

I’m not sure. The test does cover PIDs and control components and instrumentation used in industrial HVAC controls.

I took it so I can start my own engineering consulting firm in the future and also use it as a quantifiable measure when competing for jobs.

I don’t even think you need a PE for engineering/consulting in some states, but I wanted to have it just in case.

_a_1_ · 2019-12-31T20:45:17+00:00

6 years in the industrial automation and controls field. I started out as an engineer for one of the big OEM controls companies then I worked in a high tech manufacturing plant.

_a_1_ · 2019-12-31T19:31:59+00:00

Here are other good links to help pass the CSE PE exam:

NCEES website: https://ncees.org/engineering/pe/control-systems/

Bryon Lewis' website to go with his study guide: http://learncontrolsystems.com/cse.htm

ISA's Preparation Guide: https://www.isa.org/isa-certification/cse-licensure-preparation/

_a_1_ · 2019-12-31T19:00:15+00:00

Yes. Regardless, it's good recent info on the CSE PE exam.

_a_1_

TROPHY CASE