What kind of equipment do you use for work?

[yhelothar]

Lots of computers at once to run large scale simulations of neurons and synapes.

 

[brianmanahan]

Work provided laptop. Tool bag with stuff to perform repairs to computers of all shapes and sizes.

@ brianmanahan: u admin the z?

thankfully no! i just write modern-ish java code that interacts nonstop with legacy programs via mq and z/os db2

unfortunately troubleshooting involves me having to use cics way too often hate those old style uis

 

[skyking]

Not my stuff but I wish it were. My boss is too cheap to buy the good stuff, lol. We have some 'worn' out stuff but definitely no CNC machining centers or lathes. Hell, we don't even have a really good grinder, drill press or band saw. The spoils of a cheap, small business owner (sometimes out of necessity I suppose).

By the way, not brave enough to operate what you were backwards. Hell, I don't know if I could have done it forward.

<----- I'm a button pusher (as they call me at work). :biggrin:

Those long reach machines are like a fishing pole. very delicate, flexible, not too precise, and easy to break. That rental machine had been repaired many times. You could see tons of welding activity on the boom and stick.
A few years back I was working a difficult slide repair with one, and this young guy wanted some time in the seat. I had a task for him to do and let him go at it for a while. He brought the stick towards him too fast, and stopped it abruptly. This tossed about a wheelborrow's worth of thankfully soft dirt into the cab onto his legs. I distracted the rest of the crew while he turned away and dug out the cab floor

 

[Engineer]

A few years back I was working a difficult slide repair with one, and this young guy wanted some time in the seat. I had a task for him to do and let him go at it for a while. He brought the stick towards him too fast, and stopped it abruptly. This tossed about a wheelborrow's worth of thankfully soft dirt into the cab onto his legs. I distracted the rest of the crew while he turned away and dug out the cab floor

LOL...kids! :biggrin:

 

[Ackmed]

Too many to list. But my main piece is this full auto IAR;

 

[stargazr]

(I don't use that stuff but the machinists at the shop do - just design and program the electrical system on the stuff that they build).

Right because that stuff's so easy :biggrin:

Seriously, I'd like to know more about electronics used in plastic injection molding.

 

[Engineer]

Right because that stuff's so easy :biggrin:

Seriously, I'd like to know more about electronics used in plastic injection molding.

I've been to several factories with injection molding. There is one close by that makes bottles (plastic liquor bottles, Gatoraid bottles, Dial soap bottles and many, many more). The injection mold machines spit out injected 'test tubes' by the hundreds of thousands per day (These are used in the blow mold machines to make the final product). The components are similar to what I use every day: Controllers, heater controllers (PID loop style), servo motors (to control feed amount and rate) and servo 'robot' controllers and actuators (to unload the pre-forms, cool them (water) and eject them.

While it's awesome to watch (and somewhat intimidating), if you break it down step by step, it's really no different than any other control system (although controlled heating and cooling applications are typically a pain in the ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

The robot photo that I placed in my first post is used to unload one of the machines - a combination injection mold and blow mold machine (does both) to make the bottles. The robot unloads them to a conveyor where they will be leak tested and then packaged (usually bulk into large, plastic bag lined boxes).

Also, gas tank injection / blow molding is awesome to watch too...on a MUCH LARGER scale. 7 layers of plastic (inner laying being a virgin layer) extruded at a very controlled rate and then blow molded and cooled. Robot unloaded and sent down the assembly line to be trimmed and have options installed and tested.

 

[Rakehellion]

 

[stargazr]

Also, gas tank injection / blow molding is awesome to watch too...on a MUCH LARGER scale. 7 layers of plastic (inner laying being a virgin layer) extruded at a very controlled rate and then blow molded and cooled. Robot unloaded and sent down the assembly line to be trimmed and have options installed and tested.

Interesting. I don't recall ever working on a blow mold. I guess what I was referring to was the equipment to control and monitor the hot plastic in injection molding. I've seen some interesting stuff working my current job at a mold shop. My past experience is more die oriented.

What is the robot in the beginning of the second video loading, a kind of punch press, or assembly press?

 

[Rakehellion]

 

[Engineer]

What is the robot in the beginning of the second video loading, a kind of punch press, or assembly press?

It's an assembly station making parts for suspension, IIRC. Starts with a bolt and a rubber bushing (robot grabs bolt and runs it through the bushing). The robot placed that assembly into the machine which closes a holding clamp (bottom) to grab it. The robot then grabs a plastic spacer and inserts on top the the bolt (top holding clamps open after robot has started - this allows sliding down the bolt after the robot has the piece aligned). The robot then grabs a final rubber bushing for the top and slides it all down on the bolt.

A servo with the top cap (with another attached rubber bushing) then comes down and screws the top cap onto the bolt and compress the other components together. While doing so, it monitors torque to make sure that the threads are not crossed or damaged. Once all the way down, it loosens the top cap to a certain point (within 2 threads of the end) because the assembly process at the auto maker requires this nut to be removed to be installed on the car.

Looks like the product in the right middle of this photo:

As to control and monitor the heat, usually some sort of temperature controller with multiple thermocouples at the point of heat. Could be elaborate or could be as simple as this:

Controller (panel mount) - easier to program but harder to control for operator (HMI, etc).

Controller (PLC mount) - usually more flexible to control via operator (HMI, etc) but harder to program.

Thermocouples:

I've used both rack mount (in the PLC) and panel mount (like above) many times. Some are very critical and some applications are not. Used to have an oven for automotive parts (direct contact oven) that kept the oven at 300 +- .3 (299.7 to 300.3) degrees all day long.

If you were talking about the 3rd video (with orange robot), that was for making side impact airbag tubes (roof line of car shaped). The robot would load the tube onto an arbor (that was 0.010" smaller than the tube D: ) and would slide and rotate it to various position for the machine to place holes (gill style or round style) and flats (for mounting) onto the tube using hydraulic punches or flattening cylinders The machine would find the seam before giving to the robot because a hole punched in the seam would cause the tube to explode when the airbag goes off.

After hole punching, the tube was taken to a left or right side bender to bend the shape of the part per car. The bender used hydraulic cylinders to have enough force to bend the large diameter (relatively speaking) of the airbag tube.

 

[IronWing]

Any day I get to use this:

is a good day at work.

GPS, camera, hand lens, field notebook, boots, Doctari outfit, that's about it.

 

[Gillbot]

If we are just looking for e-peen status, i'll go with this:

 

[Imp]

I used to have a P65 but we "upgraded" to the P640 which IMHO was a step back. It had a nice detector @ 640x480 but the camera itself including the firmware was absolute garbage. Now they have transitioned over to the T640 which is ok, but IMHO it's still a step back from the P65.

As far as the thermal merge, it's called thermal fusion and it's a gimmick. It's a carry over from one of Flir's many purchases and it's primarily used in marketing to sell cameras IMHO. In the hands of an experienced IR thermographer, it doesn't really have any practical use in the field.

Here's a bit of info for ya, if you want a camera to play around with, look for an Agema 450/470 series. Sure they are giant, bulky and you need arms of steel to carry it, but it's still regarded as one of the most accurate IR cameras ever produced. Otherwise, if you want a pretty picture and don't care about temperatures, sometimes you can find the Raytheon Palm IR for a nice price. It produces nice images but doesn't do temperature at all. Want any more IR camera info, let me know.

I thought that P65 was a gas cam at first. Sensitivity is 0.08, which was top of the line a generation or more back, so that's a pretty "mature" camera -- doesn't really matter if you don't need to see miniscule temperature changes, it just speaks to its age.

The T640 is pretty... and more than $25k last I checked.

I'd like to get an IR cam for shits and giggles and/or building inspections. I have a building science background (graduate degree, so I know basic infrared principles) and want to get something just to learn how to spot building deficiencies, maybe leading to a side job... and to do stupid heat experiments with. But even the E40 starts at $4k, which I can manage, I just have trouble throwing that much money at what may be a toy.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If we are just looking for e-peen status, i'll go with this:

Woah what is that, a hydro turbine/generator?

 

[Engineer]

If we are just looking for e-peen status, i'll go with this:

Ohhhh....shiny!!!

Just remember, you need people like me to program that beauty to make it work!

 

[Gillbot]

I thought that P65 was a gas cam at first. Sensitivity is 0.08, which was top of the line a generation or more back, so that's a pretty "mature" camera -- doesn't really matter if you don't need to see miniscule temperature changes, it just speaks to its age.

The T640 is pretty... and more than $25k last I checked.

I'd like to get an IR cam for shits and giggles and/or building inspections. I have a building science background (graduate degree, so I know basic infrared principles) and want to get something just to learn how to spot building deficiencies, maybe leading to a side job... and to do stupid heat experiments with. But even the E40 starts at $4k, which I can manage, I just have trouble throwing that much money at what may be a toy.

Yeah, it's pretty costly to get into it even with the old models to be honest. Watch ebay, sometimes you can get lucky BUT my #1 advice, demand a serial number up front and call (typically FLIR) to verify if it's been reported stolen before buying/bidding. They can and will come after it if it has been reported stolen.

Woah what is that, a hydro turbine/generator?

Steam Turbine Generator, some coal, some gas and nuke. I work across several facilities/divisions.

Ohhhh....shiny!!!

Just remember, you need people like me to program that beauty to make it work!

I do that too.

EDIT: MY most valuable item:

I keep several available but they are unfortunately getting harder and harder to find. I also keep DB9 + RJ45 ends and cable with me at all times so I can make a patch cable in a pinch if I need it. It's crazy at the legacy hardware out there that's running some of our most important equipment. The scarier thought is the fact that new kids out of school are completely clueless at how to program and operate "this old junk" yet it's everywhere!!

 

[Engineer]

I keep several available but they are unfortunately getting harder and harder to find. I also keep DB9 + RJ45 ends and cable with me at all times so I can make a patch cable in a pinch if I need it. It's crazy at the legacy hardware out there that's running some of our most important equipment. The scarier thought is the fact that new kids out of school are completely clueless at how to program and operate "this old junk" yet it's everywhere!!

I know exactly what you mean. I was at a customer a few weeks ago and didn't have a cable and they gave theirs away D: . I took one of my RS232 (DB9) cables and my Ethernet cable, cut the ends off of both and twisted and taped the wires together (didn't have a soldering iron). Fortunately, I had the manual with the wiring diagram.

Oh, and as I said, still running XP as quite a bit of software won't run on Windows 7.....and who knows if it will ever make it to Windows 8!

I know exactly what you mean!

 

[Gibsons]

and a few more

 

[Gillbot]

I know exactly what you mean. I was at a customer a few weeks ago and didn't have a cable and they gave theirs away D: . I took one of my RS232 (DB9) cables and my Ethernet cable, cut the ends off of both and twisted and taped the wires together (didn't have a soldering iron). Fortunately, I had the manual with the wiring diagram.

Oh, and as I said, still running XP as quite a bit of software won't run on Windows 7.....and who knows if it will ever make it to Windows 8!

I know exactly what you mean!

I have an old Dell D830 in my office that still runs XP. IT keeps trying to replace it with a new Win 7 "fully USB" laptop and I absolutely refuse. They don't understand I CAN'T USE WIN 7 and I NEED that old serial port!!!!

I have done the same with cables in a pinch, but sometimes I need higher baud rates like 128,000 and twisting them results in transmission errors. I usually just find a decent DB9, lop off an end and crimp on an RJ45. Otherwise I keep my box-o-DB9's, Cat5e, RJ45's and a small iron handy.

 

[Engineer]

I have an old Dell D830 in my office that still runs XP. IT keeps trying to replace it with a new Win 7 "fully USB" laptop and I absolutely refuse. They don't understand I CAN'T USE WIN 7 and I NEED that old serial port!!!!

I have done the same with cables in a pinch, but sometimes I need higher baud rates like 128,000 and twisting them results in transmission errors. I usually just find a decent DB9, lop off an end and crimp on an RJ45. Otherwise I keep my box-o-DB9's, Cat5e, RJ45's and a small iron handy.

LOL, that's exactly the same laptop that I'm using! :biggrin:

I did upgrade the drive in it to a 500GB - 7200rpm drive and have thought about putting an Intel or Samsung SSD inside it as they both have manual TRIM utilities.

Exactly the same situation.....exactly the same.

(My boss keeps wanting to push me to Windows 7 and use XP Mode...not sure if that would work or not but I do know that USB serial ports don't work very well in industrial applications. Cardbus/Expresscard (whatever) work much better but don't work at all in DOS based apps. I keep resisting him and even his promise of a nice new laptop).

 

[Gillbot]

LOL, that's exactly the same laptop that I'm using! :biggrin:

I did upgrade the drive in it to a 500GB - 7200rpm drive and have thought about putting an Intel or Samsung SSD inside it as they both have manual TRIM utilities.

Exactly the same situation.....exactly the same.

(My boss keeps wanting to push me to Windows 7 and use XP Mode...not sure if that would work or not but I do know that USB serial ports don't work very well in industrial applications. Cardbus/Expresscard (whatever) work much better but don't work at all in DOS based apps. I keep resisting him and even his promise of a nice new laptop).

For my stuff, XP mode does NOT work. USB adapters are also flaky, sometimes they are fine sometimes not. FTDI are the most reliable and best compatible though if you want to try one. I can't risk an error in the middle of a flash though.

I upgraded the ram and drive in mine. It was 2x2gb but I dropped it to 3GB (1gb + 2gb) and it actually seems to run better. As for the drive, I opted for an intel SSD and WHOA!!!!!! Whole new machine!!!!

EDIT: I had a D600 but it was just painful to use. I'm glad I got "upgraded" to the D830, LOL!

 

[Howard]

I've been to several factories with injection molding. There is one close by that makes bottles (plastic liquor bottles, Gatoraid bottles, Dial soap bottles and many, many more). The injection mold machines spit out injected 'test tubes' by the hundreds of thousands per day (These are used in the blow mold machines to make the final product). The components are similar to what I use every day: Controllers, heater controllers (PID loop style), servo motors (to control feed amount and rate) and servo 'robot' controllers and actuators (to unload the pre-forms, cool them (water) and eject them.

Silgan?

Company secrets divulged!

 

[JulesMaximus]

 

[Engineer]

Silgan?

Company secrets divulged!

Wrong company and these are purchased injection molders. Anyone can buy them (Husky injection machines). Nothing divulged (LOL).