Re: Hello all!

Excellent advice.  The man is right on.

Walter (30 year pro.)


"Andy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Emma,
>    I don't post a lot to this board, but if I can offer you any advice
> if you are looking into Controls as a field here it is. (By the way,
> this is not a complete list.)
>
> -look into some PLC training (if you don't already have some). Local
> distributors offer training all the time.
> -find out what sort of plc hardware is used in your geographical area
> (call your local electrical distributor and ask them what hardware
> companies are using.)
> -research the products that are available from the desired
> manufacturers
> -make sure if you want to work in an industrial setting (a lot of
> control jobs) you have a good base of electrical knowledge. I don't
> mean you know Maxwell's Equations or Ohm's Law. I mean you understand
> 3 phase power and how control circuits fit into the system. You should
> know what a VFD is and how it works. You need to know how a Reversing
> Starter works.
> -Communication Protocols are important too. You don't need to know
> every detail, simply what protocols are out there and how to use them.
> -Analog communications. You should know a little about 4-20mA and
> 0-10V. Advantages and disadvantages of each. How to implement
> current/voltage loops using a PLC.
>
>   I teach a PLC nightcourse at a local college, and I see it every
> time. I get Electrical Engineers who graduate and don't understand
> real world electrical systems. You are more marketable if you are
> field smart and not just book smart.
>
> Andy
>
>
> "Emma Wignall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > Thanks for that Cameron.  I am also interested in terrestrial
applications,
> > Spaceflight just seems particularly interesting at the mo.  I posted to
the
> > sci.space.tech site at the same time as I did this one though hadn't
found
> > the moderated group yet.
> >
> >  I am interested in terrestrial applications, Spaceflight just seems
> > particularly interesting at the mo, and I'm a little worried that the
> > Control Systems on my course won't go into quite enough detail for me to
be
> > at an advantage in the work place when I graduate so I figured it might
be
> > an idea to try and develop some particular expertise!  This seemed to be
as
> > good a place as any, though I think it'll be a *little* while before I
> > understand everything that is being discussed here.  It is nice to get
an
> > insight into real life applications and developments on here which is
> > limited on my course.
> >
> >
> > "Cameron Dorrough" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in
message
> > news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > "Emma Wignall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> > > news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I'm new to this list so hello everybody!  I'm studying for an MEng
in
> > > > Cybernetics at the mo;  Hoping for a career in control systems.  I'm
> >  taking
> > > > a year out to develop extra skills and hopefully make myself more
> >  marketable
> > > > when I graduate! :-)
> > > >
> > > > I'm particularly interested in the application of Control Systems to
> > > > Spacecraft, modelling/simulation/orbit control/flight dynamics etc.
> >  Anyway,
> > > > to get to the point, I was wondering if anyone could give me any
> >  suggestions
> > > > as to areas of expertise that I might develop to enhance my chances
of
> > > > getting a job in this field or Control Systems in general.  Any
> >  responses
> > > > would be most appreciated.
> > > >
> > > > Emma (UK)
> > >
> > > Hi Emma!  Welcome to the group.  It is widely varied but mostly
confined
> >  to
> > > terrestrial control problems.
> > >
> > > If you would like to ask specific Spaceflight questions, if you
haven't
> > > already, may I suggest you also look at news:sci.space.tech (specific
> > > technical questions) and news:sci.space.moderated (more general
> >  questions) -
> > > some of the people there (eg. Henry Spencer, Jorge Frank and Rich
Katz) do
> > > spacecraft control and flight dynamics for a living and many of the
other
> > > posters are recognised experts in that field.
> > >
> > > Cameron:-)
> > >
> > >
> > >