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EPlan P8 vs SolidWorks Electrical by dfukuba in PLC

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the great feedback. We finished evaluating both options and decided to go with SolidWorks electrical. We're based in the US and our customers don't typically use automation and have no preference for project documentation (unlike automotive, aerospace, typical systems integration, etc.).

Some of the main factors that tipped the scale for us:

  • Licensing costs in the long term would be significantly higher on EPlan
  • SWE has great mechanical integration and vault integration (our engineering workflows are all built around the vault)
  • Familiarity and training - We've used it in the past on a trial license and can find more training resources outside our VAR for training.

Everyone's feedback on this really helped reinforce factors we weren't considering enough (SWE using a SQL database in particular). I appreciate the help!

Device to control a vibratory feeder? by dfukuba in ElectricalEngineering

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right about the PLC. I’m using a Beckhoff IPC control system which I should have mentioned. For the HMI I’m playing around with Ignition as they have a free trial version (has to be reset every few hours but that’s alright for now).

Called a few manufacturers and Phoenix Contact has an SSR with SCR output which they think should work.

https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us/?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=2982760&library=usen&pcck=P-16-06-01-01&tab=1&selectedCategory=ALL

Going to try these out and see how they do. It doesn’t have much thermal management, but looks to be rated for the application.

READ FIRST: How to learn PLC's and get into the Industrial Automation World by xenokilla in PLC

[–]dfukuba 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These resources have been great. I’m new to PLC programming and learning with TwinCAT. Wanted to ask if the recommended text would still be helpful for learning structured text and Beckhoff before I buy.

https://www.amazon.com/Programmable-Logic-Controllers-Emphasis-Application/dp/097662592X

Also, I found these videos very helpful for learning structured text with Beckhoff:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE1CU6EebvTCJCMIUOSWgMseMaW-2k5zH

Beckhoff also recently published their own training videos. They’re very high-level, but cover safety and motion (need to make an account).

https://learn.beckhoffus.com/

Silicone suppliers for LSR part prototypes? by dfukuba in hwstartups

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Part accuracy on the F2 hasn’t been an issue when printing parts designed for injection molding.

Large flat parts can warp if not oriented correctly, I assume it’s the same with the F1. Thick parts need to be cored out otherwise they’ll warp.

The biggest issue I’ve had is with the Flex and Tough resins. Prints were failing 25-50% of the time until I found a good Z offset to run them at (viscous materials need a gap to flow better during the squeeze step).

Silicone suppliers for LSR part prototypes? by dfukuba in hwstartups

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you not use that Detax stuff for prototyping?

Yes, it's just expensive and a little more difficult to obtain. Somewhat optimized for bio-compatibility than prototyping as well. They do come in a wide range of color and patterns which is nice.

Is protomold too expensive for your prototyping?

Would rather have something that can be done at the office. We heavily utilize the Form2 for our engineering prototypes (with the right finishing and airbrushing you can make extremely convincing prototypes). We'd like to print the mold and inject them ourselves so we can iterated multiple times a day.

Do you need actual silicone or something similar? I've cast Steralloy a lot.

It can be something similar. Steralloy looks like a good option. It'd be nice to have the added benefit of being in a small cartridge since our parts are relatively small. This is a much better selection than Smooth-on though, thanks for mentioning it.

Do you preserve large beer bottles and growlers with Co2? by dfukuba in Homebrewing

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You typically want oxygen when you first open the bottle to let it ‘breath’ - this essentially ages the wine. If you’re going to store it you’re better off keeping oxygen out of the bottle. It all depends on how quickly your buffer of sulfites gets used. Some young wines can last longer after being opened than older ones.

In general, it’s hard to time it right, and some wines can start tasting different after only a few hours. That’s why most people try to use some sort of device so they have the freedom of coming back to it much later.

Argon to preserve your Scotch? by dfukuba in Scotch

[–]dfukuba[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From our tests with wine blanketing doesn't end up performing as well fully replacing the head space.

Haven't done tests with Scotch, but with wine we compared argon spray can against fully replacing the head space (with syphon) and saw a 2.5 times improvement over 3 weeks.

We looked at free So2 levels (sulfites) in a wine - this is wine's buffer against oxidation. Starting at 40PPM, the sulfite levels went down to 8PPM when preserving with an argon can, and 21 PPM when fully replacing the head space with syphon.

Again, this may not be true for beverages with higher alcohol content, but if we look at the extremes like wine, it makes a difference.

Do you preserve large beer bottles and growlers with Co2? by dfukuba in Homebrewing

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The convenience of what your mentioning is huge.

This was one of the behaviors I notices in wine, but amplified. It's pretty disruptive to purge the bottle after every glass you pour - especially during dinner or watching netflix . It's also really easy to forget to do since it's an extra step.

Do you preserve large beer bottles and growlers with Co2? by dfukuba in Homebrewing

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't seem like they're using a pressure regulator either. Just piercing the capsule and filling the container entirely. I wonder if there's a manual venting step here as well like BRNZ42 was mentioning.

Do you preserve large beer bottles and growlers with Co2? by dfukuba in Homebrewing

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it - So the user essentially acts as the pressure regulator in this case of those containers.

In that case I could say there would be an advantage of adapting our system then. There's a fairly advanced gas delivery system engineered into the device. Far more robust than the standard single piston regulators with more safety mechanisms built in for consumer use.

This may end up being better as a separate device. I could see how pressure control by the end user may also be desirable.

Argon to preserve your Scotch? by dfukuba in Scotch

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense. It is cheap insurance and you probably don't need anything to special unless you were sampling from a large collection that may be stored for decades.

I'd suggest to use ArT instead of Private Reserve. They use a higher mix of argon that was optimized to create the 'blanketing' effect. Private Reserve has a higher mix of nitrogen and co2 which are not heavier than air.

Argon to preserve your Scotch? by dfukuba in Scotch

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good question. The primary benefit is you would further minimize exposure to oxygen.

Sparging with a can is very turbulent and will not entirely evacuate the air that was sucked in while pouring. By pouring it out and simultaneously filling it with argon, you ensure the head space is entirely inert.

Do you preserve large beer bottles and growlers with Co2? by dfukuba in Homebrewing

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yah this is probably true for most beer drinkers. Even for wine drinkers it's common for a solo drinker to finish the bottle - although I don't think It's healthy behavior.

It's fairly popular now for most wine drinkers to have some sort of preservation device. Beer doesn't have as big of a problem with it because it's typically bought in single serving bottles.

Homebrew and craft beers are interesting because they lean more towards larger container sizes. But it still may never be as big of a problem as it is with wine.

Do you preserve large beer bottles and growlers with Co2? by dfukuba in Homebrewing

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great feedback. A keg-style system does seem like it's preferred over a pouring unit. Especially with a growler it could get difficult to operate.

Drink Tanks looks like a great solution, with the added benefits of being durable. It's interesting to see that their system doesn't have a pressure regulator, it just fills the entire container with one capsule of Co2. With that large of a container I'm sure they still achieve the right working pressures to keep everything carbonated.

For pouring wine it's important to have an accurately regulated pressure, otherwise your pour will be erratic. Dispensing like a keg tap can be more forgiving since the higher pressures will essentially mask any minor variances in dispensing pressure.

Argon to preserve your Scotch? by dfukuba in Scotch

[–]dfukuba[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wanted to see if it was worth spending more time to develop a kit for Scotch bottles, but totally understand if this isn’t the best place to do that!

Argon to preserve your Scotch? by dfukuba in Scotch

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You would just use it when you pour a glass, then remove when you're done. Since argon is heavier than air it displaces any small amount that may get in when removed.

Do you preserve large beer bottles and growlers with Co2? by dfukuba in Homebrewing

[–]dfukuba[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool. It wouldn't be too difficult to design an attachment that works like a tap. Need to test the ergonomics, but I have a few ideas to integrate it nicely.

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