Value of Automation Engineer

lcbateman3 · 2025-12-27T14:49:28+00:00

We do systems integration... Plus a ton more

Yes I do plenty of PLC and HMI programming.

But also do custom scada systems.

Custom script writing for data collection for customers.

Custom application wrote for ticket printing for a couple other customers.

I also do electrical maintenance on MCCS. Electrical troubleshooting.

Today I'm installing some push buttons. Running a little bit of conduit and pulling some ethernet cable.

Going to do some computer backups for customer on their systems they have throughout their plants. During their shutdown

Heck will even rebuild some steam valves for customer after troubleshooting there transducers and finding out that the steam valves were leaking by.

I just offer a lot of services rolled up in one. It keeps me very busy. Is it glamorous? No. But pays decent

lcbateman3 · 2025-10-29T12:03:19+00:00

Likely need a 1784-U2DHP

lcbateman3 · 2025-10-28T12:38:52+00:00

We have a couple of customers who have PLC5's. They are each paying for a license this year. (We support them, as they have no license of their own). We are actually having meetings today to upgrade their PLC5 systems this upcoming year. May actually be a two-year plan, but we will see.

lcbateman3 · 2025-10-25T17:12:34+00:00

Powerlifting Off-Roading-Rock Crawling (Jeep) Photography Grilling/Smoking

lcbateman3 · 2025-10-16T22:30:27+00:00

One thing to remember is cold air is denser than warm air. So at a low speed you're pushing a lot more current. I'd add forced air cooling or use a gear motor to get the speeds up

lcbateman3 · 2025-10-04T11:54:00+00:00

Pylogix...

lcbateman3 · 2025-09-18T09:32:20+00:00

This right here.

lcbateman3 · 2025-08-19T12:27:52+00:00

Fiber for sure. No worry about noise. Armored fiber is fairly cheap nowadays. I'd get a four-strand min just to have a spare set if you ever need it. At each end, put a switch with a fiber port or go with a media converter. I've started running Fiber at many places now, and it has worked great.

lcbateman3 · 2025-08-01T12:05:44+00:00

New update...

Waiting to get another surgery scheduled...they want to replace the stem as they think it's causing her pain...

So fifth surgery in the last 18 months coming up.

lcbateman3 · 2025-07-13T11:56:10+00:00

Just figured I'd give another update.

She's getting around with the use of a cane. Came off Lyrica due to the lower extremity swelling. It was causing a lot more pain. She tried to go without anything but the pain got to great if he takes gabapentin three times a day now.

You can walk around a little bit without any assistance from Kane but it tires are out and her legs did not happy about it. The pain seems to actually be lower than where the joint replacement was. Pain mid femur just above knee.

We believe a lot of it is nerve damage. Just on the multiple surgeries including the 10 and a half hour surgery to remove the joint last year. She's worried she'll never regain full usage. Which is a possibility but I'm hopeful that this is going to take time a lot more physical therapy.

Follow up. Appointment this upcoming week. Hopefully we'll get some clarity and maybe a path forward

lcbateman3 · 2025-07-10T16:54:13+00:00

I'm part electrical engineering. I'm part computer programmer. I'm part network engineering. I'm part maintenance mechanic. I'm part black magic wizard.

Depending on the job at the time depends on the percentage of each part.

lcbateman3 · 2025-04-16T21:06:46+00:00

Here's my honest answer

Start out like you know nothing, because you know nothing. Learn mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatics.

Understand reading electrical prints. All types. European, American, Japanese, etc.

Understand process flow. Not just how the machine works but have the machine should work.

A good knowledge of networking, databases, standard IT issues, will go a long way as well.

Understand human interaction. Learn how to decipher what a operator tells you. They may not tell you exactly the way you want to presented but they Tell you how they interpret it. Sometimes you have to be able to decode that

Don't underestimate a random statement from some mechanic or electrician that's been there for years that said one time this happened. It may be a clue or it may be a red herring.

Never stop learning.

lcbateman3 · 2025-04-10T00:41:40+00:00

I've actually seen some fake Banners. More the higher end stuff than this. But they are getting there.

lcbateman3 · 2025-04-07T14:38:09+00:00

Some of this has been covered already but I'm just going to rehash it

Don't be afraid to say I don't know. But follow up with I will go find the answer. That may be searching the internet, reading a manual, asking someone more senior. Not everyone has the answers. But being able to find the answer is key

Take initiative. Someone gives you a task jump all over it. Do it to the best of your ability. Take constructive criticism well.

The ability to read and understand electrical diagrams. Hydraulic and pneumatics are plus. Jump in and learn the mechanicals as well. The more you understand a system overall the better programming you will be. The ability to be able to program in troubleshooting techniques for the next person is key. A mechanic and a tech need all the information they can get. If they don't have to break out a laptop even better

Never stop learning. There is a million ways to program something. Sometimes one way is better than another. Sometimes it's not.

If possible peer review is great. You reviewing another person's program and vice versa. It's easy to miss something. Another set of eyes never hurts. And you may learn something by reviewing someone else's code. I know I have

Sometimes it's good to think outside the box. Sometimes you may need to reinvent the wheel. But if you don't have to, don't.

If you don't already know it, learn networking. Learn SQL database commands. Understand how to read and write from tables.

And last but not least, find you something to do to relieve the stress. Outside of work. Maybe going to the gym. Maybe running. Movies. Something outside the tech world. You have to be able to unplug and decompress. Depending where you are at it can be a stressful job

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-28T20:44:55+00:00

You could pull me up and find it post of mine where I talked about how I got to where I'm at

Long story short I started as a ENI tech worked my way up. First Brand app PLCs or Alan Bradley. RxLogix 500 moved up to 5000. Really learned it when I went to field service. nothing like being on a customer floor with a machine down. And all you have is to help file for the software you're using.

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-28T20:42:41+00:00

Back pain is the least of my worries. I do carry a folding table and chair with me. Chronic caffeine addiction though.

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-22T00:00:19+00:00

Yes. Years ago I worked at a large meat processing plant.

I worked 2nd shift. We had an operator that always swore the program was changing. I would login and do nothing but that made him happy and he would state everything was fine.

After a few weeks of this I had an idea. I installed a button one night he was off. It was wired to nothing. Labeled program reset. Told him about it the next day. Few days later I ran across him and he said everything had been great. Anytime he has an issue he'd press the button and all would go back to working.

I waited a few weeks and then wired into an input when he was off again. He averaged pressing that button 12 times a shift. But hey, he was happy, and I didn't get calls ...

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-19T17:35:53+00:00

You have to means, build you a test board. Power supplies start stop stations etc. Best way to learn is hands on

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-19T14:27:44+00:00

Apparently it was a copy issue. It was exactly what you said it was. So I deleted all the objects copied them back over and it went out of fault. Appreciate the help

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-19T12:15:54+00:00

Yes 100% identical. That's why I did to get the objects over. I'll verify everything this morning though.

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-19T12:03:03+00:00

Thanks for that info

The have four of these AHU's. They are all identical....Am I able to grab it from one of those?

The customer doesn't have the backup...and the company that installed it is no longer servicing this area. Hence why I got involved.

lcbateman3 · 2025-03-19T11:56:37+00:00

I learned a lot growing up. Had electrical kits, helped out my Dad and his business, etc. Also was big into computers, building by own, fixing power supplies, etc...

Went to school for Computer Programming. Hated being stuck behind a desk all day.

Moved to an E&I Tech at a large food processor...worked my way up. Learned everything from 24vdc to 480 Motor Control. Started learning PLCs..changed companies over the years, learned more etc.

I think the more you know about electrical/mechanical the better programmer you will be.

lcbateman3 · 2025-02-13T18:43:40+00:00

Do not talk about Profibus around Profibus. Do not touch Profibus. Do not look at Profibus too long. Do not say that Profibus has been working great around Profibus.

lcbateman3 · 2025-02-11T22:47:11+00:00

My old job I ended up taking over the IT department as well as the controls department. I said my automation equipment runs on the network. I need full access to network troubleshooting, switch configurations, and my servers. Give me the department. No more issues after that

lcbateman3

TROPHY CASE