Dream about PLC programming. Can't sleep)

Hello everybody. I live in Chicago and work at airport as a maintenance electrician. I do a lot of automation technician work like control panels troubleshooting, plc troubleshooting, networking troubleshooting, HMI.. repairing, smart Homeywell and Johnson control warehouse systems troubleshooting. Pass Paul Lynn PLC programming courses 1,2,3 on Udemy.com. So I understand Rslogix500 and can work with Wonderware. I dont have EE degree but I have electrical license. Feel that it is time to go into programming and probably also drawings in AutoCad.
Is it programming field busy nowadays?
It is not a problem for me to find Maintenance electrician or Automation technician jobs. But jump into programming looks like not so easy.
What is necessary to become more competitive? EE DEEGREE? Okkkkk... Maybe you can advice any intensive courses with good reputation in Chicago?
Is it enough to know Rslogix500 and 5000 or need also Step7 and CX-programmer?
How much can make programmer with knowledge of Rslogix500, 5000, Step7, Cx-programmer, Wanderware, Factorytalk studio, Modbus, DeviceNet, Ethernet?
Thank you for your feedback guys.

My first impression is that you are ready to take up some practice. Understanding machinery controls at a hands on level and having some programming experience as a hobbyist is where I started.

I have what amounts to an associates in applied science if you count my vo-tech training for industrial maintenance. No degree, a handful of short schools and seminars specific to particular hardware and software. I took one AutoCad class too. That was 20 years ago. I worked for a few years as a maintenance tech, and maintenance specialist, did a lot of project management, machinery modifications, then left that company and took a job as a PLC programmer.

I think this field is hurting for help. I think you can make $100k once you build up some experience if you put in the hours.

My last paycheck was 147 hours in 14 days. We need help. We need good help, not necessarily folks with degrees who never turned hand tools for a living.

You need to have pretty solid math aptitude. You need to understand various number systems. You need to have an appetite for constant learning. You will benefit from exposure to a variety of so-called high level languages. You need to be good with general office skills (creating documentation, utilizing workbooks and various PC software to aid in development).

Having your electrical license is a big plus, but you might get stuck running pipe and wire if you make that the main point on a resume. Getting a degree is not a bad thing, but many of the good programmers I know never bothered. Some companies are looking for degreed engineers. Other companies would rather have a guy who can get the whole job done, not just the programming and paperwork, but a guy who knows how to make things work from the main disconnect to the last conveyor bearing.

Thank you. Sometimes I would like to discuss some programming things regarding VFD, encoders, positionning... robotics... but it is maintenance environment and for many people to open even electrical schematics is a challenge...

Try to explain you where I am
With a team of assemblers I can build conveyor system.
Terminate all power and control, communication wiring.
Program the system according to the customer's technical description. Program HMI panels. Perform machinery start up. Troubleshoot problems.

OkiePC said:

My last paycheck was 147 hours in 14 days.

Click to expand...

Paul are you cutting back

Ivan said:

It is not a problem for me to find Maintenance electrician or Automation technician jobs. But jump into programming looks like not so easy.

Click to expand...

Ivan,

Think twice about full time programming, both Paul and myself came from positions similar to yours, I tried the 'programming' side and its not fun... I cant just sit there and stare at the screen and with your history I think you would be the same, try just writing one program on a large system or machine, plus you are in high demand and you can make sooo much more money doing 'everything' also not sure how many full time programmers are out there, most are project guys that are start to finish

Either way its just food for thought and best of luck!

Yea you are right. I am not a person who prefar sitting and watching monitor all day. I like comprehensive tasks.
During last 3 months I passed probably 8 interviews for Automation tech but no one required programming. Just changing set points.
In my opinion for PLC programming need some industrial revolution. Like it was in Ukraine couple years ago. Over there grain elevators were built. Brand new equipment, huge projects...
In Chicago land area very common is machine rebuilding, improvement.
Usually nobody change program for years...
But for maintenance guys here tons of work almost everywhere. Especially if in the warehouse they use forklifts)

Ivan86,

There are a lot of places to seek training in Chicago, I have been through Joliet Junior College and had some classes in PLCs & Robotics at Triton College. I have attended more than 40 seminars and workshops (from Allen Bradley to Yaskawa) in the past 19 years almost all but 4 have been on my dime and its been very costly.

And also in that time I have purchased trainers from manufacturers and even built my own, for PLC and Motion Control. But the class work and the seminars only give me a starting point, its what I do at home during my off time that my skills begin to increase.

If your looking for Trainers (besides building your own)

SIEMENS S7-1200+KTP400 BASIC STARTERKIT
Omron CP1L PLC Quick Start Kit
GE FANUC PROFICY VERSAMAX PLC TRAINER

Watch the trainers some software now has time restrictions several years ago the were life time licenses.



Hope this Helps
Tom

Thanks a lot. Is it Triton good to learn programming? Now they called course Mechatronic... I was reading the structure of the course. Pretty simple things. Digital, analog, plc hardware... Is it really worst to go there? I feel I just need to jump into the Real life programming and work couple months with good people who willing to help and give some tips. I think course from PLC manufacturer is much more useful.

Ivan86,

Earlier in your first post you stated "But jump into programming looks like not so easy" and your right its not that easy so what you need to do is to try and strike a balance between education and experience that will entice an employer.

You need to select an industry and move toward it (steel, automotive, textile) and believe me it will take more than a couple of months, I have been at it for over 20 years and still learn something new everyday.


Tom

@Ivan86, I sent you a PM

Ivan, Meeting with a counselor at one of the City of Chicago Colleges might help.

Wolverine, I also attended Joliet Junior College. Took all the Electrical courses, CADD, and some wielding. Between 2000 and 2010. Good school.

-John

you are making a smart move to automation- I began about 25 or so years back, but I only installed and wired up all the controls. no one would help or show me anything- kind of like programming was top secret, so about 15 or so years back, I decided to train myself, my back ground in electronics is strong, thanks to the USAF- 6 years of radar and missile systems service, at one time I repaired tv-vcr-any consumer electronics in your home, I could fix. but now all of that is throw away stuff. I purchased my first pc and began the long road to programming, ab-omrom-automate direct-wonderware- automation is the way to go-classes help some, but like someone said, you have to have the desire to want to learn- I have lots of training stuff to pass on, so if I can help, email me [email protected]