My Background:

I work as an Industrial Electrical/Automation Technician. My job is to work on, troubleshoot, and maintain the factory Wide Automation for processing, production, and shipment preparation equipment for one of the United States largest sour cream and cottage cheese manufacturing companies.

My previous experiences includes working in the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Industry, as an Industrial Electrical Maintenance Apprentice. During this time learned about Siemens S5 and S7 PLC's (Programmable Logical Controller's), Fanuc Robots and CNC controls, Industrial PC Controls (I/O Control and Vision Systems), Small and Large Tonnage Presses (200 Ton through 2900 Ton), also built some control panels for in house machines while working in one department, worked with factory wide lighting control system upgrades, factory wide utility monitoring, and access control setup/ upgrading. 

For a short time I worked with a private engineering firm as an electrical engineering technician working on red line prints, eventually making my own schematics using AutoCad Electrical. In addition I worked as the purchasing guy for the Electrical Engineering Department, and also did part of the logistical tracking of shipments for my department to job sites. I would help out with system installs and upgrades at customer sites. I built a few control panels (while normally this work was sub-contracted out). 

 

About Me:

I live in the country, enjoy the fresh county air, and the mooing of dairy cows. In my spare time I build and experiment with computer hardware. I have built several computers, built or repaired servers, built a small five axis robotic arm (from a kit), built a three axis CNC engraver (X-Carve) with a custom PLC interfaced control to the X-Carve NC (Numerical Controller) and built a custom stand. I hope to start back to college soon to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. I get asked a lot where do you see yourself five or ten years from now. My answer is that I would like to get into engineering. However as times have changed socially and economically, skilled trades are dying out and something that many companies can not do without. Since skilled and experienced industrial maintenance technicians are on the decline because much of the trade is going into retirement or died off, I see myself staying in this field for a while longer. 

I have many great people to thank for my success in life so far including my teachers, parents, family, friends. Through hard work and determination your work ethic and mind are your only limitations to your success! In eight years I started from a kid out of high school and trade school, to working with tradesmen, to working with engineers, to being a dependable skilled trade technician my company relies on and goes to when issues arise. 

You will run into doubters, just know you are only as good as you make yourself. You might feel useless or not smart enough to achieve your goal, determination and dedication is key to your success!

I will not pretend that I have all the answers, I am still learning myself. However I am excited to share the knowledge and understanding I have to help others!