Todd — Automation Engineer

I have been working with Allen-Bradley ( Rockwell ) hardware for at least 35 years starting with the PLC4, PLC2, and the SLC100/150. I have a PLC4 in my archives just because! 80% of my contract work today is working within Studio 5000 to include Design View, FactoryTalk View ME/SE, Control Logix and Compact Logix and much more. I design PLC and HMI software from the ground up for new machines and for retrofit of existing. I also integrate Keyence Vision systems and Kinetix Servos into Studio 5000 projects.

My experience with AutoCad started with the DOS version ACAD 10 or 11 for Electrical schematics. For the past 10 years or so I have been using AutoCad Electrical, presently version 2023, I'm sure there's folks that know more tricks ACADE has to offer, but I have been around enough to know I know more than most I've met. In my opinion any Electrical Engineering department that isn't using ACADE (there are still departments using ACAD Lite) isn't an efficient department. Yes there's a learning curve to use ACADE properly but the time learning pays back big time in time saved on future projects along with the accuracy of the finished drawings.

I prefer Keyence over any other Vision or high end sensor brand. I have around 30 years of experience with vision systems even before Keyence or Cognex. I am a huge fan of the IV series of Vision sensors, to the point I once took two original IV cameras and swapped lens to build a hybrid IV1 camera for a unique application I did in Mexico. The IV2 is a big improvement but the latest IV3 is definately a game changer in the industry. I will put my skills and experience using Vision against anybody's including most Keyence folks themselves.

I have been around Yaskawa / Motoman welding and material handling robots for over 20 years starting with the ERC series. I am not user friendly with the pendants, my interaction with the robots was of the integration to the PLC. As a maintenance manager / Controls Engineer for many years I was involved with technical support and integrations plus preventive maintenance of these robots. Been on the phone numerous times over the years with Motoman technical support.

When it comes to Industrial machines, I have 35 years of trouble-shooting, supporting, upgrading, and designing to fall back on, and I consider myself better than most.

I was fortunate to have worked in a great maintenance department managed by the best of the best managers, and to have received my Machine Repairer's Journeymans card for the State of Ohio and the UAW. I rebuilt mechanical power presses with the largest being 1500 ton. I turned out a crank shaft for a mechanical power press from a blank chunk of bar stock. I ran all sorts of tool room and fabrication equipment on a daily basis. It is where I got my start in Electrical controls and design, starting with the PLC4, PLC2, SLC100/150 and SLC500. The SLC503 was absolutely amazing at the time!

I have approximately 15 years experience managing a maintenance crew of between 18 - 24 for a global automotive supplier. Our department was recognized as leading the company in our performance, plant metrix, MRO, Electrical Safety including Arc Flash per NFPA 70E. We were the example to follow.

Not what I do for a living, but I did a LOT of metal fabrication in my younger years building machine guarding and platforms. Today I apply this experience to repair of wrecked vehicles for a hobby (when I have time).

Keyence Vision systems. I'm good!

2015 - Present Industrial Automation Controls Independent Contractor Hamler, Ohio

I was a direct report to the Executive Director of Elastomers and Ride Performance for North America. I supported Blue Chip projects at the Reynosa and Celaya Mexico facilities, as well as the Napoleon Ohio, Hartwell Georgia, and Kettering Ohio Facilities. ***Note that this time duration was from 2010 to 2015. I'm unable to save this work experience with this time frame duration becuase it's giving me a fault. The only way I can save it is to select "current" as the To date. ***

1998 - 2015 Tenneco Inc. Napoleon, Ohio Lead Maintenance Supervisor / Electrical Controls Engineer 1998 - 2010, All duties required as the Lead Maintenance manager and Controls Engineer for wall to wall facilities and production equipment maintenance support, training, and upgrades. 2010 - 2015, Developed and presented 4-hour training to a number of Tenneco facilities on the subject of Arc Flash and Electrical Safety in keeping with NFPA-70E and Tenneco Electrical Safe Practices. 2014 - 2015, I was a principle contributor working with Global EH&S to update Tenneco's Electrical Safe Work practices to better align with NFPA-70E 2015 changes. 2014, I spent 10 months at the Hartwell Georgia facility providing Electrical Engineering support throughout the facility, working with all departments. Big focus was on Blue Chip projects and Functional Safety upgrades including their Tube Mills which were involved in OSHA citations. ( ask me about this for more details ) 2010 - 2013, I provided technical support and training at the Reynosa Mexico facility, as well as hands on completion of several key Blue Chip projects.

I have been working full time as an Independent Industrial Automation Controls Engineer. I am very experienced and confident with the following: Functional Safety and ISO 13849 standards. NFPA 70E Electrical Safety. Allen-Bradley PLCs including Control and Compact Logix, Micrologix, SLC-500, PLC-5, PLC-2. AB Software for PLC programming including the old ICOM series, RSLogix 5 & 500, Studio 5000. Allen-Bradley HMIs including FactoryTalk View ME versions, PanelBuilder versions, and older. Allen-Bradley VFD drives including all PowerFlex versions, and some older vintages. Allen-Bradley Kinetix series Servo drives. Electrical, Pneumatic, Hydraulic controls. Autocad Electrical design and engineering. (I use AutoCad Electrical 2021) Cognex and Keyence vision systems.