Tim Wilborne's Podcast

Starting an independent service or contracting company comes with massive challenges, and finding your very first clients is often the hardest part. In this video, we answer a question from JT about how to land those initial accounts and how to recognize when you are truly ready to take the leap into starting your own business. We share the story of how TW Controls started—including the mistakes w...

It has been a busy few weeks at the training center with custom guest training covering IO-Link, sensors, and TIA Portal. In this update, I discuss the progress on our new pneumatic trainer and pick-and-place robot trainer, both of which will be featured in upcoming videos. I also take some time to answer your questions regarding the real-world application of IO-Link, how to transition between dif...

This week we dive into a wide range of topics gathered from your questions on YouTube and LinkedIn. We start by addressing a common terminology correction regarding motor insulation testing and why it is so difficult to provide a universal "good" or "bad" resistance value. The conversation moves into the technical hurdles of migrating from legacy 1734 POINT I/O to the newer 503...

The news that Yokohama Tire in Salem is closing its doors on March 18th is a "plant obituary" for our community. For me, it’s personal. I started in that facility at 12 years old, and those foundations are exactly what built TW Controls. But as we look at the 2,700 local lives impacted by the economic multiplier effect, we have to ask: Are we waiting for a lifeline from Washington, or ar...

We dive into the common pitfall of new engineers: the urge to provide solutions before understanding the existing environment. Drawing parallels between manufacturing and recent Rotary District training, we explore why a "Health Check" is vital for both machines and organizations. We discuss the importance of listening to the voices and "baggage" of an old facility before attem...

We cover a variety of automation topics starting with a helpful tip from a viewer regarding the lock button feature on insulation testers that makes using alligator leads much more practical. I answer a viewer question about using a Greenlee keyhole nibbler on stainless steel panels and explain why it is not the best tool for that job due to material flexing and drilling difficulties. We also dive...

Tim and Amber recap an energetic week at the A3 Business Forum in Florida and discuss the hard facts behind making business decisions based on data rather than gut feelings. We tackle a frequently asked question regarding how to get products featured on the channel, explaining our "no pay to play" policy and why authenticity is vital for the community. The discussion moves into the nuanc...

In this episode, we are diving deep into your questions from the past week and sharing stories from our most recent training class. We start by addressing the common fear of switching between PLC brands, specifically for those who feel stuck with Mitsubishi knowledge when the industry is calling for Allen Bradley. I explain why mastering the core logic instructions is more important than chasing e...

In 2007, we walked out of the hospital with a newborn baby, less than $100 in our bank account, and a radical plan to start a company. Most people told us we were crazy. They said we needed an engineering degree, a massive savings account, and high-end equipment to survive in the industrial world. They were wrong. In this episode, Tim Wilborne shares the raw, unpolished history of TW Controls—from...

Finding the root cause of an erratic signal can feel like chasing a ghost, especially when your trend lines show noise that shouldn't be there. In this session, we walk through a real-world troubleshooting scenario involving a Yamaha robot simulation where the A3 axis exhibited mysterious spikes. While it initially looked like signal noise or a math error in Studio 5000, the investigation led...

I share why I decided to step back from the mic to focus on YouTube "how-to" videos and, more importantly, why I am contemplating a return to podcasting.

Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demand Get the full details of this lesson at https://twcontrols.com/plc-lessons Items used in this video: PLC Trainer https://twcontrols.com/plc-trainers The above links make these videos possible. Please use them! Subscribe to our Main channel for How To's https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to...

Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demand Get the full details of this lesson at https://twcontrols.com/plc-lessons Items used in this video: PLC Trainer https://twcontrols.com/plc-trainers The above links make these videos possible. Please use them! Subscribe to our Main channel for How To's https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to...

Subscribe to our Main channel for How To's https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne?sub_confirmation=1

Subscribe to our Main channel for How To's https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne?sub_confirmation=1

Subscribe to our Main channel for How To's https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne?sub_confirmation=1

We share thoughts on how to portray yourself when you start a company, angry HMIs, and community.

What worked and what is on the horizon in manufacturing for 2023.

Three very different stories of how to enter a great career in manufacturing.

There is a lot of talk out there about whether trade shows are worth attending or if we have moved past the need for them.

Catch us live on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11am EST.

We talk about the importance of internships and mentors in raising up the next generation of  of engineers and technicians in manufacturing.  Get the full details of this lesson at https://twcontrols.com/podcast

We discuss the difference between STEM education vs STEAM education.  We need to include art in engineering plus find surprising similarities between Engineering and Liberal Arts. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  STEAM adds the Arts to it.

How can we get the youth into trades?  We discuss ideas and what is missing from any education systems.

We talk with MB Clemens about the need for the trades, working with your hands, and the importance of integrating STEM Science Technology Engineering and Math into schools and the advantage of the Art in STEAM.  Legos, Lincoln Logs, and tons of rabbit trails. Get the full details of this podcast