Tim Wilborne's Podcast

Tim Wilborne
  • 5.0 (7)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Helping you become a better technician. We talk about manufacturing, industrial automation, PLC programming, and help you remove the roadblocks to success.

  1. 6D AGO

    Industrial Networking Rants and Insulation Tester Tips

    We cover a variety of automation topics starting with a helpful tip from a viewer regarding the lock button feature on insulation testers that makes using alligator leads much more practical. I answer a viewer question about using a Greenlee keyhole nibbler on stainless steel panels and explain why it is not the best tool for that job due to material flexing and drilling difficulties. We also dive deep into industrial networking, specifically addressing the debate between using explicit message instructions versus produced and consumed tags. There is a common misconception that produced and consumed tags should replace all messaging, but I explain why both methods have their place depending on the frequency of data updates and network traffic management. Finally, I highlight some impressive student projects, including a fifth-generation can crusher, and tease an upcoming pneumatic pick and place trainer accessory.Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demandNot sure what video to watch next? Enhance your skills and track your progress at https://controls.tw/yt-courses!

    12 min

  2. JAN 25

    Why We Don't Accept Paid Product Placements: Staying Authentic in Automation

    Tim and Amber recap an energetic week at the A3 Business Forum in Florida and discuss the hard facts behind making business decisions based on data rather than gut feelings. We tackle a frequently asked question regarding how to get products featured on the channel, explaining our "no pay to play" policy and why authenticity is vital for the community. The discussion moves into the nuances of job interviews, specifically how new technicians should research companies to show they are prepared to add value from day one. We also look ahead to PLC integration week, where we cover topics ranging from Ignition SCADA and data logging to industrial networking and troubleshooting on the Rogue Rig. Finally, we highlight an upcoming machine safeguarding seminar featuring the Banner SC10 safety controller.Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demandNot sure what video to watch next? Enhance your skills and track your progress at https://controls.tw/yt-courses!

    19 min

  3. JAN 18

    Your PLC Questions: Switching Brands, Scaling 4-20mA, & Starting a Business

    In this episode, we are diving deep into your questions from the past week and sharing stories from our most recent training class. We start by addressing the common fear of switching between PLC brands, specifically for those who feel stuck with Mitsubishi knowledge when the industry is calling for Allen Bradley. I explain why mastering the core logic instructions is more important than chasing every brand name for your resume. We also break down a technical deep dive into 4-20mA scaling for tank levels, explaining why adding intermediate steps usually just creates more work for the next technician. Beyond the technical side, we explore the mindset required to make a career pivot into automation. I share some of the feedback from our recent video about starting TW Controls with almost nothing and highlight inspiring stories from our community members who moved from banking and labor roles into successful engineering and systems roles. We also have a bit of fun reviewing the results of last week's visual puzzle and discussing how a technician’s job is often just about changing your perspective until the data makes sense. Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demand Not sure what video to watch next? Enhance your skills and track your progress at https://controls.tw/yt-courses! Items used in this video:PLC Trainerhttps://controls.tw/yt-plc-trainers The above links make these videos possible. Please use them!

    13 min

  4. JAN 11

    The $100 Startup: Building a Business Out of a Shed

    In 2007, we walked out of the hospital with a newborn baby, less than $100 in our bank account, and a radical plan to start a company. Most people told us we were crazy. They said we needed an engineering degree, a massive savings account, and high-end equipment to survive in the industrial world. They were wrong. In this episode, Tim Wilborne shares the raw, unpolished history of TW Controls—from building panels by trouble light in a shed with no electricity to shoveling a 500-foot dirt driveway just to get a shipment out. We discuss why the "messy middle" of a career change is where the most growth happens and how a $20,000 business failure became the catalyst for everything we do today. Whether you feel stuck in a "dead-end" job or you're terrified to take the next step in your career, this is a reminder that you don't need a silver spoon to build a legacy; you just need to get started.

    29 min
  5. Stop Patching the Noise and Start Finding the Root Cause

    JAN 4

    Stop Patching the Noise and Start Finding the Root Cause

    Finding the root cause of an erratic signal can feel like chasing a ghost, especially when your trend lines show noise that shouldn't be there. In this session, we walk through a real-world troubleshooting scenario involving a Yamaha robot simulation where the A3 axis exhibited mysterious spikes. While it initially looked like signal noise or a math error in Studio 5000, the investigation led deep into the interaction between the PLC and the Ignition SCADA system. We explore why a standard cross-reference in the PLC didn't reveal the culprit and how switching to read-only communications finally exposed a hidden bidirectional tag write. We also discuss the common trap of "patching" problems with software filters instead of identifying the source. Whether it is a bad shield on an analog line or an accidental setting in your HMI, understanding the "why" behind the spike is what separates a technician from a parts changer. Additionally, we touch on the challenges of modern Ethernet troubleshooting, the limitations of Wireshark without port mirroring, and why the "View Diagnostics" tool in Ignition is a game-changer for identifying communication conflicts. Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demand Not sure what video to watch next? Enhance your skills and track your progress at https://controls.tw/yt-courses! Items used in this video:PLC Trainer https://controls.tw/yt-plc-trainers The above links make these videos possible. Please use them!

    20 min

  6. 12/28/2025

    Why I May Return to the Mic: The Future of Tim Wilborne's Podcast

    I share why I decided to step back from the mic to focus on YouTube "how-to" videos and, more importantly, why I am contemplating a return to podcasting.

    8 min

  7. 07/20/2023

    Starting a Business

    Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demand Get the full details of this lesson at https://twcontrols.com/plc-lessons Items used in this video: PLC Trainer https://twcontrols.com/plc-trainers The above links make these videos possible. Please use them! Subscribe to our Main channel for How To's https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to our 2nd Channel for Quick Tips https://www.youtube.com/@TimWilborne2?sub_confirmation=1 Support these videos by becoming a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TimWilborne

    21 min

  8. 07/13/2023

    Tim and Amber's First Date

    Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demand Get the full details of this lesson at https://twcontrols.com/plc-lessons Items used in this video: PLC Trainer https://twcontrols.com/plc-trainers The above links make these videos possible. Please use them! Subscribe to our Main channel for How To's https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to our 2nd Channel for Quick Tips https://www.youtube.com/@TimWilborne2?sub_confirmation=1 Support these videos by becoming a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TimWilborne

    11 min
See All (48)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Helping you become a better technician. We talk about manufacturing, industrial automation, PLC programming, and help you remove the roadblocks to success.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Wilborne
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tim Wilborne
  • Show Website
    Tim Wilborne's Podcast

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