Objective

Seeking an opportunity to utilize my engineering talent in developing and/or maintaining software and hardware systems.

Work Experience

Software Engineer

6/2006 - 2/2009 SPX Service Solutions, Kalamazoo, MI

§ Continued design/retrofit of Legacy VB6 code to DotNet C# code and successfully demonstrated ABS module support on time.

§ Part of Patent Application designing security system which would work for CE 5 Compact Framework version of product as well as Laptop C# DotNet Framework 3.0.

§ Used recently learned UML skills to effectively communicate requirements with customer. These requirements used C# SQL Express and unmanaged code on CE 5 platform

§ Performed bug fixes as designated by bug database using DotNet VB, C# and SQL

§ Sole Applicant in an Additional Patent that Uses Java, J2EE, Seam, JBoss, C#, SQL, Python, Turbo Gears and Groovy on a Linux Platform

Contractor

09/2006 - 5/2007 TekSystems, Grand Rapid Mi onsite at SPX Service Solutions, Kalamazoo, MI

§ Used my VB6 / Access / SQL experience to Maintain Line software written by SPX to troubleshoot Vehicle ECUs

§ While still employed with TekSystems designed/prototyped new ABS module that the New Up and Coming DotNet C# Software needed to support

Controls Engineer / Software Engineer

09/2004 - 7/2006 Eagle Precision Technologies, Indianapolis IN

§ Used my Controls Engineer experience to retrofit a legacy Robotic work-cell with one of the companies Automatic Exhaust Pipe Bending Machine. All I had to go on was the Existing Ladder Logic (SLC 500) and Schematics. Project was a success.

§ At another customer’s facility made on site software changes to their Contrologix Exhaust pipe welding/forming work-cell.

§ Designed VB / MS Access / SQL and SLC 500 with DH-485 Diagnostic system which would “watch” an existing machine run gathering historical data which it would later compare when the machine stopped unexpectedly. The maintenance technician would then be led down best guess troubleshooting paths in-order to minimize downtime

§ Reversed Engineered VME Bus C++ chassis legacy system after “Guru” in Canada resigned and wrote Utilities which would allow our Indy office to make customer field changes to the software even though the source code was un-available.

Controls Engineer

11/2001 - 4/2004 Electroimpact, Mukilteo, WA and Chester, England

§ Sent to UK in September 2002 in a Service/Support roll after familiarizing myself with Electroimpact's Wing Riveting Machines. The Wing Riveting Machines consisted of: - GE Fanuc 19 Axis CNC control programmed in Ladder Logic, 'C' and Custom Macros along with 'G' Code. - Visual Basic driven custom HMI which dripped fed part program data via Fanuc's High Speed Serial Bus through DLL calls to the CNC for processing. - SQL Database Data Acquisition system with approx 100 data points collected for every fastener installed. - Profibus network to monitor such things as clamp pressure, normality etc.Responsible for Commissioning two GE Fanuc CNC controlled 19 Servo Axis High Speed Riveting Machines. Served as the"Controls" team liaison between the US home office and the UK support team. Which meant I was responsible for the "Ladder Logic", "C", "Part Programs" (G-Code), "Custom Macro", "Visual Basic" and SCADA code on the machines.Trained Newly hired UK staff specifically in Ladder Logic and Part Programming (G-Code) along with General Machine knowledge. Wrote custom I/O Checker program which allowed each and every I/O point on the machine to be tested and evaluated automatically utilizing Visual Basic, Fanuc Ethernet Library DLLs and Automating Excel via COM. Involved with SQL database custom Data Acquisition system and provided Training and Support while the UK were getting up to speed

Senior Field Application Engineer

3/2001 - 10/2001 Coventive Technologies, San Jose, CA

§ Provided all local Technical support (Hardware and Software) to U.S. Sales force of progressive Taiwan based Embedded Linux software company. Developed and implemented Sales force training procedures from self-taught technologies such as “Clustering”, “High Availability”, “Failover” and “Load Balancing” of Linux Server Solutions. Technically evaluated third party Hardware and Software solutions to support the company’s Business Development efforts. Revised and corrected product specs for marketing brochures. Continuously challenged through in-depth product technical self-education. Responsible for all Technical proposals generated in U.S. office along with Technical Project Management. Provided pre-sales and post-sales customer support along with assisting sales force with custom product demos.

Consultant

10/2000 - 3/2001 Iridex, Mountain View, CA

§ Part of a two-man team responsible for the complete Hardware/ Software (my responsibilities were 70% software, 30% hardware related) development of a Laser control unit which has the ability to act as in Internet Appliance. After careful consideration, chose and implemented embedded linux as the operating system. Using Remote Procedure Calls allowed for intertask communication among the C, TCL and Forth control tasks. The Hardware developer tested and Debugged the FPGA register driven control board with Forth on MS-DOS which later I ported over to Linux with 0 code changes to enhance productivity among our small but effective team. Implemented a GUI (software/hardware) for the Laser with a 'PALM PILOT' along with developing the RS-232 protocol needed to communicate. A Diagnostic/Instrumentation GUI was written in Visual Basic on a PC to allow for full diagnostics (SCADA) via Ethernet/ Internet etc. using TCP/IP.

Owner

1/2000 - 9/2000 Webkontrol, Villa Hills, KY

§ Researched practical applications of World Wide Web based machine control, instrumentation and diagnostics. Designed the 'Blue Box' Web Page to Real World (SCADA) Interface utilizing an Allen Bradley PLC. Created 'Netscape Plugin' to allow Real World I/O to be controlled from within Web Browser. Created 'wkHTML' additions to Internet Explorer based Browser to allow Real World I/O to be controlled with HTML statements <OUT 1 ON>, <OUT 1 OFF> etc.

Systems Engineer

2/1999 - 12/1999 Blum Laser Measuring Technology, Ft. Mitchell, KY

§ Responsible for Custom Integration/Implementation of Blum's Laser Tool Setting/ Tool Breakage Detection system on Customers' Machine Tools including any necessary Hardware/Software adaptations. Designed custom software that documented and cross-referenced Blum's existing Laser G-Code Macro programs using Web Pages. Wrote software the would convert the GE Fanuc custom macro programs for use on other CNCs. Designed and built Retrofit kit using Allen Bradley PLC to allow for laser integration on Machine Tools with that had GE Fanuc controls with inadequate I/O.

Owner

6/1996 - 1/1999 ReadyServ Corp./ Webkontrol, Bedford, VA

§ Created 'Iron Threads' software which automatically generates diagnostic Web-Pages from existing GE Fanuc or Allen Bradley PLC programs utilizing exclusive 'F.R.E.D.' (Forth based Relay ladder logic Engine for Diagnostic analysis) technology. Principal in company dedicated to combine web/Internet technology with traditional machine control. Project & Design leader for Web Page controlled roll grinder. All process/instrumentation values available realtime on custom VB/Web GUI.Selected all hardware and software components necessary for project, including operating systems, (Mac OS & Win 95/NT) development languages, (TCL/TK, Java, Visual Basic, Hypercard) database connectivity, (SQL, ODBC) web page design languages, (Java, HTML, JavaScript, ActiveX, VBscript, Shockwave) graphic design, (Shockwave Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, Ray Dream Designer) and finally machine control via Allen Bradley SLC 500 PLC and Servo Drives. Responsible for integration and implementation and instrumentation of above tools and languages into a complete adaptable hardware & software solution that allows both local & remote control, monitoring, reporting & diagnostics within one or multiple roll grinders via Internet technology.

Chief Controls Engineer

7/1994 - 5/1996 Capco Machinery Systems, Roanoke, VA

§ Recruited by CAPCO when company saw capabilities and accomplishments first-hand at a Herkules customer site. Within two months of hire, was sent to Taiwan to address customer concerns and resolve controls and operational problems on the Bosch based CNC. Wrote special utilities that located complex controls systems problems, and resolved software problems to customer satisfaction. Returned eight months later to install a second machine and to upgrade the first machine. Bethlehem Steel Project - Heavy Duty Precision CNC Roll Grinder and Backup Grinder. Completely redesigned programmable controllers. Rewrote almost all 300 subprograms to resolve CNC problems. Designed custom control (Hardware/Software) for CAPCO measuring/instrumentation system. Utilized FORTH in IBM/PC environment to enable the capability of grinding and measuring all rolls with one MACRO. Program further allowed for storing of MACROS eliminating necessity for redevelopment when roll was ground again. Initiated and instituted line numbering in previously written programs thus improving program documentation. Wrote more than two dozen utilities to do artificial coding.Integrated Grinding Current, TIR, and other instrumentation values into Bosh GUI on CNC.

Software Design Engineer

7/1989 - 6/1994 Herkules Controls Corp./ Mashinenfabrik Herkules Siegen, Memphis, TN/ Siegen, Germany

§ Recruited, interviewed and hired by telephone to work for this worldwide company specializing in the manufacture of roll and cylindrical grinders. At company's request, transferred to home office in Germany, and in 1991 transferred to home office payroll. Simultaneously assigned to ALCOA and ALCAN customer sites for two years. Addressed the issue of utilizing both American and German versions of complex controls programs in FORTH and Siemens PLC for the same machine design. Later assignment to a German company resulted in a request to translate entire programs from the American version to the German. Wrote a complex program (to customers satisfaction) that automatically read the American version (text format), interpreted it, and rewrote it into the German version (graphical representation format). At Union Electric Steel utilized and integrated a new measuring system and new axes into a PLC (Siemens S5) and FORTH program for a world-class machine.

Computer Systems Engineer

12/1987 - 6/1989 U.S. Systems Designers, Elgin, IL

§ Hired for a specific project by this manufacturer of automated conveyer control systems. Utilizing a FORTH processor, completely designed computerized controls for a Metal Fracture machine.Interfaced Optical Encoders to Forth processor with a custom Interface.Wrote Ladder logic for Allen Bradley PLC used in Material Handling applications.Designed "Basic" GUI on Allen Bradley Operator interface for SCADA and DCS.

Systems Engineer/ Contractor

6/1984 - 11/1987 Airtronics Gageing, Elgin, IL

§ Designed/built prototype of Airtronics MIC-30 Computerized Gaging and Control Console. Interfaced the Mic-30 LVDTS with process control/instrumentation equipment using Allen Bradley and other PLCs.

Education

Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana

§ 2 Years Toward Bachelor's Degree

§ Computer Technology Program

Skills

ActiveX Assembler-8086 C, C++ Fieldbus/Instrumentation FORTH German Java Ladder Logic PLC Profibus SQL Tcl TCP/IP VHDL Visual Basic JBOSS, J2EE, SEAM, Python, Turbo Gears, J1850, CAN Bus, CE 5, C# DotNet, VB.net Allen Brady SLC-500, DH-485, Controllogix