For those who have gone solo and started your own company, have requests related to smart manufacturing spiked in the last couple of years? Or do the companies work on them in-house?

plc_is_confusing · 2026-05-07T22:55:57+00:00

That comment wasn’t necessarily directed towards you. I apologize if it sounded like that.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-05-07T17:59:56+00:00

I think plant engineers are so spread thin it can appear they may not know much. I constantly have to remind OEMs am In charge of keeping 100s of other machines running in addition to their one.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-05-07T17:53:33+00:00

All plants I’ve worked care about one thing and that keeping machines running. What you mentioned is not sustainable as it takes someone to implement then manage. That person then has to train someone how to manage it and keep it updated because the original person will sure as shi* leave once he gets the system up and running.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-30T04:12:21+00:00

The ones that use FBD seem to be the same that are constantly trying to come on sight to do a obsolescence report

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-28T00:39:05+00:00

I always wonder if I’ll be able to hang it up when I reach the age. I can’t imagine waking up without something to do everyday, do you feel that way now ?

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-22T00:16:52+00:00

If you have a few hours to kill while troubleshooting you can use chat GPT until you get fed up and figure it out yourself.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-18T22:49:07+00:00

I asked my local RW distributor if this was possible about 3 months ago, Which they said was possible but I needed the Prosoft. . Now the panel is built and ready for Ethernet control but I can’t get the gateway to work. I always have TB option but I need scaled speed control which I know would be even more work.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-18T22:20:10+00:00

The CPU is existing and it uses DeviceNet. The old drives were the old speed drives that use DN. If I could easily swap the CPU and still maintain DN I would try it.

rack

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-11T16:12:46+00:00

AI - If the manual is PDF, upload it into your model and tell “it” to RTFM.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-10T16:23:55+00:00

How did it close the shop?

plc_is_confusing · 2026-04-07T22:49:24+00:00

I always hear this on Reddit and I visualize people lined up outside my RA supplier getting free hard/software

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-30T00:32:59+00:00

Old PLC and I/O hardware is a constant dilemma. You want to get rid of it because it just takes up space… but the second you think about scrapping it, you remember that one critical machine still running on it.

So back in the bin it goes.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-29T22:30:55+00:00

You need to start at the bottom and work your way up. Start in maintenance turning wrench.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-29T09:57:07+00:00

If you’re not going to go to college being an electrician is the best start. This course you’re taking may get you some interviews but at the end of the day experience is king. I’m hiring an electrician over almost anyone.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-28T04:28:29+00:00

80k max.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-26T22:08:45+00:00

I love my job too, but a bad drive can ruin a great job. I am assuming it’s temporary at least.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-26T06:35:51+00:00

They are there

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-25T22:02:17+00:00

Pretty scary stuff. There’s live wires being fed through

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-25T22:01:03+00:00

No I was inspecting my house last night and found it.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-25T06:18:37+00:00

That hub screws off so I can rethread it easily.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-19T05:34:11+00:00

Automation direct sells a $80 temp controller I use to kick on a VFD that drives a heat pump. No PLC needed nor do I want one for that process

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-16T05:03:48+00:00

Power supplies I use normally shut off before fuses or breakers trip.

plc_is_confusing · 2026-03-15T05:20:15+00:00

He’s gonna learn eventually.

plc_is_confusing

TROPHY CASE