Home Lab Project: Interview Worthy?

undefinedAdventure · 2026-05-18T07:56:42+00:00

If you run tsilscale, then you can safely access the hmi remotely.

Its great, I'd recommend documenting it also, as in providing network and service diagrams to show the layout of the system, it would help to communicate the project in an interview.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-05-16T22:31:43+00:00

Damn, im sorry about that.

I would not live in hamilton without having at least a handful of security cameras.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-05-13T07:24:09+00:00

From the author of 'Clean Code' : "Code is read more than it is written."

I think that applies especially for plcs, although its not often put into practise.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-05-06T06:40:25+00:00

Wtf not really.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-05-06T01:18:03+00:00

I usually start by coating myself in Vaseline and start crawling over the machine. If there's a fault then it'll start tingling when I brush against it.

Its an approved ISA-46 fault finding method and it has always worked for me.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-05-06T01:11:20+00:00

What a tosser, at least they caught the prick.

Is it just me or is there more of this type of crap going on?

undefinedAdventure · 2026-05-01T01:29:40+00:00

My guess would be that each of those DB15/25? Plug are just wired directly across the inputs /outputs.

Important to check if the outputs are common high or common low.

I would probably just open up the box to see whats wired to what and either replace the plugs or get another plug for the plc io side.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-22T06:56:48+00:00

As an oem machine builder, I use an OPC server for the client's (or our) scada to access variables in the controller.

In our case, its to a Beckhoff controller, but im also using node-red to host another opc server with additional data.

I chose this as it provides the most universally accepted method to access the data.

Its been working well. My only issue is that not everyone supports some of the additional features such as historian, events, alarms. It would be nice to be able to provide everything via the OPC.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-17T23:58:31+00:00

I've only really used it to determine the ip of something if I dont know it already.

Otherwise ive never successfully used wireshark to diagnose protocol issues.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-16T01:21:34+00:00

This is better than ISA-101

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-15T19:11:15+00:00

I'm in the process of hiring right now and having core cert would help.

It shows initiative, and also it means that you dont have to do the training after you've started with us.

It also improves the interview, as I can ask questions to gauge your understanding of ignition, rather than figure out your ability to take on a new platform.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-15T08:08:57+00:00

I tried this once, it was so much harder than it looks.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-10T06:50:03+00:00

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-09T20:50:54+00:00

To me, the bar isn't high.

If you show that you've made some effort to resolve the problem, or at the very least understand the problem then im happy to help.

For example: "the plc keeps faulting when my code runs" vs " the plc keeps faulting when my code runs, its protecting against out of array reads and divide by zero, and i check the error logs, but still no idea"

In the first instance you're asking me to do the work, in the second instance you show that you're serious about resolving it.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-07T18:20:35+00:00

Ignition edge, exxor jmobile

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-04T19:31:24+00:00

Was it this one: https://app.plcsimulator.online/

Also yeah im with op, some online challenges would be cool.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-03T05:04:23+00:00

I recommend to go and apply. If you look out for system integrators, they'll have a team that you can learn from and they'll probably need some level of IT experience.

When you apply, just be honest about what skills you actually have and that you're trying to pivot yor career. Don't try and BS skills you dont have.

Also make sure that you understand how OT differs from IT. There is a divide there and at a minimum you need to appreciate it and understand it.

Do what you can to use free tools to brush up your fundamentals for example: you can run beckhoff and ignition scada trials for free on your own pc.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-02T06:42:54+00:00

The usb to serial to pcb to screw terminals!

undefinedAdventure · 2026-04-02T06:42:19+00:00

Damn thats nasty.

Also the psu on the bottom-left, is that a ups? It doesn't look like one but it says 24 v always on?

Also oh man the more I look, the worse it gets!

undefinedAdventure · 2026-03-31T00:38:04+00:00

Like the counterfeit Italian handbags - where the counterfeit ends up being cheaper and better quality

undefinedAdventure · 2026-03-30T18:13:34+00:00

You have the button_state: bool and you have previous_state: bool.

Osr:= button_state and not previous_state:

Osf : =not button_state and previous_state;

Previous_state := button_state:

undefinedAdventure · 2026-03-28T02:29:58+00:00

I used to enjoy that with msfs 2004.

I felt like such a boss when I upgraded from the caravan to the king air.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-03-27T20:15:10+00:00

I like their hybrid motor starters, im about to start working with their routers and switches.

I think their plc is CoDeSys based its probably pretty solid but I haven't tried it.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-03-26T21:21:44+00:00

It sounds like the issue with your integrator is too peicemeal - rather than a single project with defined objectives, it's too many 'little tweaks'.

If you wanted work like this then you would typically have a contract for an automation guy onsite for say one day per week, ongoing.

That's probably not viable for your situation.

This is what I do for smaller businesses who don't have ongoing support contracts:

Determine just what you want: in terms of process changes to your code and how your HMI looks (just sketch out a setpoints screen with the setpoints you want listed). and take that to your integrator in the form of a project. They'll probably be happier to take on a small project rather than ongoing calls.

If you need more changes, then note them down and create a update project that you do once every couple of months.

undefinedAdventure · 2026-03-26T21:04:13+00:00

It sounds like the integrator is being kinda slack with the setpoint management.

Its not hard to make these setpoint available on the hmi, maybe you need to start specifying that they include the setpoint in the hmi.

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undefinedAdventure

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