Web Handling
As I mentioned in my previous post, this week I am in Tucson again on a 3 week job assignment. I was supposed to be here Wednesday but ended up getting a short trip to Casa Grande added at the …
Author: Frank
Electrical Engineer and business owner from the Nashville, Tennessee area. I also play music, Chess and Go.
Ch-ch-ch-changes…
As I come closer to completing the content of my book The Automation Primer I have had to make some decisions on exactly what to do with the book, this website, and frankly, my life. I have already made the …
Looking for Feedback
One of my goals when starting this website was to make it an interactive site where other automators like myself could post some of the projects they have worked on in the past, maybe give others some tips or even just blatantly advertise their services and capabilities….
I am hoping to meet some contacts who are interested in guest writing some applications or informational posts. All you would need to do is send me an e-mail with some interesting automation stuff in it and I will format it complete with links to your site. As I mentioned above, this is a great opportunity to get some free advertisement and website traffic.
Welding
As I continue working on my book I have come to a section that has been difficult to classify. Chapter 7 concerns the various trades that are involve working in the automation field. The first part describes primarily engineering and …
Electrical and Controls Specifications
Recently my wife took a job with a multinational OEM as a panelbuilder. This company recently built a new plant in our area and moved their panelbuilding operation here from Texas. They build custom refrigeration equipment and the associated compressors …
HMIs and Operator Interfaces
HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces) are used to allow machine operators to control a machine or system. It can consist of items as simple as pushbuttons and pilot lights or use systems of computers and touchscreens. In todays manufacturing world it typically …
Vibratory Bowls
Vibratory bowls and feeders use a variable amplitude control box to control a drive unit with thrusters oriented in the direction of part movement. A bowl with special tooling and tracks sized to the component is mounted to the drive …
Applications
My goal is to become a national and international resource and as such I am hoping to expand my network considerably. Please contact me if you wish to become part of my new automation solutions network.
Filter Tester
In another post I described an air filter tester built with NAS in the late 1990s. These testers were for automotive filters and generally were built around a single automation concept; a Cosmo leak tester or vision system for instance. …
Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing
As part of my preparation for moving back into the consulting world I recently signed up for a series of classes and certifications through Purdue University on Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. These classes lead to certification as a green …