Tim Wilborne's Podcast

In this PLC programming challenge, we needed to program a start stop motor control with reverse operation in ladder logic, function block diagrams, and structured text.  Here is my solution.

In this PLC programming challenge, we need to program a start stop motor control with reverse operation.  This exercise is good for beginners, intermediate, and experienced programmers.  Make sure you watch the watch the challenge till the end.  There is more to this than a simple start stop reverse program.  We are going to write it ladder logic, function block diagrams, and s...

What is the purpose of putting a password in an Allen Bradley PLC?  Should we enable source protection in Rockwell Automations Studio 5000?  And how can we improve security of industrial control systems?  What you won't find here is how to crack an Allen Bradley password. Learn more at https://twcontrols.com/podcast

If you do industrial automation projects for long, the up's and down's will eventually lead to burnout.  What can we do as both individuals and employers to protect ourselves from burnout? So what is burnout?  Most people watching this channel like a good math equation so burnout is when the effort you put into something is greater than the reward you get out of something for a long peri...

I'm going to review my first RsLogix 5000 PLC program, now called Studio 5000 Logix Designer, that I wrote for an Allen Bradley Controllogix PLC in this tutorial.  I had about 1 year of programming experience when I developed this RsLogix 5000 program.  A popular request is for us to share PLC programming examples and explain the PLC programming methods used and what can be improved so I...

Have you ever gone back and reviewed one of your old PLC programs?  A popular request is for us to share PLC programming examples and explain the PLC programming methods used and what can be improved.  If we are going to critique programs, then might as well start with my very first ladder logic program.  It is a RsLogix 500 program for the SLC 500 PLC. Items used in this video: PLC...

In this episode I share with you some important words of wisdom about running a business.  This comes from a LinkedIn post by Dave Borski: 8 years ago today, I left a great job at SwRI to pursue my dreams of starting a business. It's been a winding road with lots of challenges, victories and defeats. Popcorn list of Things I've learned since then: Payroll doesn't happen with a push of a butto...

This industrial control panel trainer is completely 24VDC including the fan making training much safer when beginners are learning electrical fundamentals before they are qualified to work on higher voltage systems.  It can be used to learn about different circuits in electrical control panel wiring diagrams such as the basics of electricity, normally open vs normally closed contacts, 2 wire...

The Studio 5000 Mini Edition is now available on Rockwell Automation's License Portal.  The Mini Edition of Studio 5000, formerly RsLogix 5000, can program the Allen Bradley Compactlogix PLC using Ladder Logic programming and is one I commonly recommend for people starting out in Allen Bradley PLC Training.  Function Block and Structured Text programming is not available.  This is a...

We are going to convert a RsLogix 500 program for the Allen Bradley Micrologix 1400 to a Connected Components Workbench program for the Allen Bradley Micro850 PLC. Get the full details at Connected Components Workbench Lessons Items used in this video: PLC Trainer Get the full details of this podcast . The above links make these videos possible.  Please use them! Support these videos by becom...

We are going to convert a RsLogix 500 program for the Allen Bradley Micrologix 1400 to a Connected Components Workbench program for the Allen Bradley Micro850 PLC. Get the full details at Connected Components Workbench Lessons Items used in this video: PLC Trainer Get the full details of this podcast . The above links make these videos possible.  Please use them! Support these videos by becom...

What are the steps to start PLC programming?  Before you start going through plc programming tutorials, DO THIS!  Selecting the right brand of PLC might be the most important choice beginners make in the quest to become a successful PLC programmer.  Then there are plenty of good PLC training for beginners programs out there that will cover introduction to ladder logic, function bloc...

We get lots of questions about industrial automation and manufacturing and today we are going to select some of them to answer.   Items used in this video: Manufacturing Happy Hour   Rotary Phase Converter   Cutting holes in enclosures   Cutting square holes in enclosures   Lining up through the door disconnects   Neatly wiring push buttons   Best way to drill ho...

Let's talk about when you should start your business and give some advice that will help you out along the way.  Determining when you are ready to start your own business can be a very tricky question but there are very few business owners that don't wish that they had started their business sooner. Today's questions come from Dillon who ask: 1.  When do you know you are ready to venture...

Industrial automation offers infinite opportunities for a lifelong career with a good salary and benefits.  There are many big automation companies that offer top notch automation engineer positions, but are you any lesser of a professional if you work for a small company? Get the full details of this podcast . The above links make these videos possible.  Please use them! Support these v...

A common question we get is do you need a degree to be a PLC programmer or design control systems for industrial automation.  What makes this question unique is both potential employees and hiring employers both ask the very same question.   Get the full details of this podcast . The above links make these videos possible.  Please use them! Support these videos by becoming a patron...

This is your chance to influence future PLC programming lessons.  We have upcoming videos on Studio 5000, Connected Components Workbench, Control Panel Building, PID control, HMI screen...  Do you want more tutorials on ladder logic?  Do you want videos specifically about Allen Bradley PLC Training or broader topics such as designing UL 508A industrial control panels? Let us know wh...

Becoming a UL 508A Industrial Control Panel manufacturer is easier than you think.  Getting started can seem impossible with all the requirements of UL 508A.  There are a few obstacles you will run into when you contact UL to start the process but the UL MTR qualification exam is not impossible for a small control panel shop.   Get the full details of this lesson at https://twcontro...

Today we are joined with Chris Grainger, host of EECO Ask Why from Electrical Equipment Company. Chris runs a manufacturing and industrial automation podcast that is highlighting the people behind our industry that are addressing the future challenges that manufacturing will face.   EECO Ask Why links  Website Youtube Spotify LinkedIn   Instagram   Chris's ministry links ...

The final entries have been selected and it is up to you to vote for you favorite entry at Name the Podcast . Finalist are:  Talks with Tim Automation Nation Automation Bytes Ladders to Logic Hi this is Tim Items used in this podcast: PLC Tools SIM-ALP2 The above links make these videos possible.  Please use them! Support these videos by becoming a patron on Patreon Subscribe to our Yout...

The difference between a signed and unsigned integer is in its last binary digit.  This is bit 15 in a 16 bit integer and bit 31 in a 32 bit integer. Items used in this podcast: PLC Tools SIM-ALP2 The above links make these videos possible.  Please use them! Support these videos by becoming a patron on Patreon Subscribe to our Youtube channel Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

In this episode I'm going to let you in on a secret that most professionals won't tell you.  We have all FAILED!  We are going to talk about the need to identify our failures, learn from them, then put them in the past and move on. Items used in this podcast: PLC Tools SIM-ALP2 The above links make these videos possible.  Please use them! Support these videos by becoming a patron on...

In this episode, we are going to explore what binary numbers are, what the saying "There are 10 Types of People in the World, Those Who Understand Binary and Those Who Don't" means, how to convert binary to decimal numbers, how to convert decimal to binary numbers, and maybe a few things that you didn't know about the base 10 numbering system.   Items used in this podcast:  PLC Tools SIM...

In this episode we are going to talk about what you can expect to make as a PLC programmer when working for a company and to try to make some sense out of what you need to charge per hour to make a living in the industrial automation field. Support these videos by becoming a patron on Patreon Subscribe to our Youtube channel Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

In this episode I share why I quit my job and started an industrial automation company. A common question I get is how do you know it is the right time to quit your job and and start your own business. I don't have the perfect answer for you but here are some tips. Support these videos by becoming a patron on Patreon   Subscribe to our Youtube channel   Instagram   Facebook   L...