S1E20 PLCs, HMIs, & Making Hardware Move | Karl Gerety

Being an Engineer · 3 Jul 2020 · 33m · Episode 20

What this episode covers

Karl Gerety, Director of Engineering at Machine Solutions, explains the roles of PLCs and HMIs in controlling medical device manufacturing equipment like stent crimpers. He discusses the transition from field service to controls engineering, noting that PLC programming is often learned on the job, and compares platforms like Beckhoff, Allen Bradley, and Siemens for different automation scales. Gerety shares a failure story involving a prototype gantry system crashing into simulated baths, highlighting the importance of off-equipment prototyping, and emphasizes troubleshooting humility and code simplicity as key engineering habits.

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