In truth, this is my resume. I have used this format for years and it has served me well. I did change my contact information for this situation, though.

I know writing a resume can be a tough. Finding the right words can be hard. Feel free to use or modify any of the phrases you see below, as long as they actually apply to your experience, of course.

To get some tips on resume writing, look at my post on Get That Engineering Job – The Tricks To Writing A Resume That Scores.

3030 Winchester Drive                nealbabcock@my-email.com
Tucson, AZ, 12345                        Ph. (123) 456-7890

Twenty years of experience in Electrical Engineering and Programming control components used for industrial automation, specifically:

- PLC specification and programming, including configuration of digital and analog I/O

- Allen-Bradley PLCs, including the SLC 500, ControlLogix, CompactLogix and PLC-5 families

- Omron, Texas Instruments and Modicon PLCs

- Project Management and Scheduling, including coordinating outside contractors

- SCADA and HMI planning, configuration and programming, including RSView32 and Wonderware

- Machine control circuitry and motor control design, including safety circuits and adherence to the NEC and NFPA codes

- AutoCAD, custom scripts, associated software and PC architecture

- Machine prototype design, analysis and machine qualification

- Servo drives and associated systems

- Allen-Bradley and Reliance variable frequency drives (VFD)

- Field installation and start-up

Industries and Applications

- Water Treatment – screening, filtration, flocculation, pumping, distribution

- Wastewater Treatment – screening, sedimentation, filtering, aeration, pumping

- Semiconductors – slurry blending and distribution

- Food Processing and Packaging – cereal, soup, cake mix, infant formula, pet food

- Liquid Filling and Packaging – liquid soap, food and industrial chemicals

- Pulp And Paper Lines – diapers, hygiene products

- Control Rooms – nuclear and coal fired power plants

Resume of Neal K. Babcock                             page 2

Skill Set

Project Management

- Generation of proposals, including project definition, cost estimates, project functional specifications, schedules and change order tracking

- Resource management, including contractors, vendors, software and hardware

- Client interface and customer service

Controls Design and Programming

- PLC programming software, primarily RSLogix 500 and RSLogix 5000

- SCADA design and configuration with RSView32, FactoryTalk and WonderWare

- Electrical design, schematic diagrams and AutoCAD

- Field installation and startup

Employment History

PROJECT MANAGER
Contracted to DLT&V Systems Engineering, Phoenix, Arizona
April 2006 – November 2008

Project: Replace Obsolete Control System in Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants

Initial responsibilities included reverse engineering and documenting the control algorithms in an obsolete GE/Parsons system used to control wastewater and water treatment facilities for the City of Phoenix. The GE/Parsons was being replaced by hardware and software from Control Systems International, but the functional aspects of the existing control process was to be maintained.

The new system (UCOS) integrates with the I/O in the existing local PLCs to control the equipment. UCOS provides all of the necessary tools to create a complete SCADA system.

As my group produced the necessary documentation, I was promoted to Project Manager. My additional responsibilities included:

- Interfacing with City of Phoenix engineering and management personnel to facilitate communication with the contractors and resolve discrepancies

- Integrating improvements into the existing process control algorithms

- Preparing budgets and man-hour projections

Resume of Neal K. Babcock                             page 3

- Reporting the status of the project to the City of Phoenix in bi-weekly meetings

- Creating start-up plans and procedures that would maintain full plant functionality

- Providing administrative management to my group, including performance reviews and salary compensation recommendations

CONTROL SYSTEMS DESIGNER
Contracted to the Tetra Systems, Tempe, Arizona
June 2005 to February 2006
Functions include generating the electrical design required to replace the existing controls system in a Freescale (Motorola) semiconductor fab with an Emerson DCS system. The new system included 2500 I/O points with numerous operator stations, data and alarm logging, increased reliability and hardware redundancy.

PLC PROGRAMMER and HMI DESIGNER
Aerotek, Inc., contracted to the Celerity Group, Tempe, Arizona
July 2004 to May 2005
Responsibilities include PLC programming, HMI and SCADA design for automatic slurry batching tools for the semiconductor industry. These tools utilize Allen-Bradley SLC 500 series PLCs, RSView32 SCADA systems and PanelView HMIs to blend the proper constituents for polishing wafers. The tools are controlled and operated locally by an SLC and a PanelView. The PLCs are networked to provide a SCADA system using RSView32.

PLC PROGRAMMER and HMI DESIGNER
Imperial, Ltd., contracted to Textileather Corporation, Toledo, Ohio
November 2003 to February 2004
Responsibilities include PLC programming and the electrical design of an automatic batching system that mixes oils and solids for use in vinyl manufacturing. This system enables the operator to choose a formula from a pre-existing set and specify the number of batches he wishes to mix, while keeping each ingredient’s weight to within a 1% tolerance. Administrators may add, delete and revise formulas as desired through a TCP touchscreen.

Additional projects involve PLC programming of various web handling equipment using the Allen-Bradley SLC 500 family of processors and RSLogix.

Duties include developing project scopes and specifications for contractor bidding, creating all electrical diagrams and I/O schematics necessary for construction, specifying and ordering the required electrical components, generating the screens for the HMI, contractor management, system start-up and maintenance support.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT and SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
(Various clients)
April 1996 to October 2003
Project management, web development, CGI scripting, online database-driven e-commerce, online instruction and testing, server and workstation specification, installation and start-up, customer support, software and hardware administration, data backup, firewall and security administration, Windows NT and Linux.

Resume of Neal K. Babcock                            Page 4

Employment History (continued)

PROJECT MANAGER and PLC PROGRAMMER
Betco Corporation, Toledo, Ohio
March 1998 to January 2000
Managed a chemical batching and distribution project that involved automating a process by interfacing a Modicon PLC to SQL. Also upgraded the operation of various liquid filling machines and implemented SCADA. Performed start-up, HMI development and SQL server interfacing. Provided system support after project was complete.

CONTROLS DESIGNER
ITS, contracted to Professional Supply, Inc., Fremont, Ohio
April 1995 to April 1996
Functions included the electrical design, VFD integration, programming and start-up of industrial heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for clients such as General Motors, Goodyear Tire & Rubber and Ford Motor Company.  These systems consist of Opto-22 I/O controlled by a SCADA network of PCs operating under control of a VB program.  Also responsible for developing and implementing AutoCAD standards and symbols for the electrical department.

SENIOR PROGRAMMER
Matrix Technologies, Inc., Toledo, Ohio
April 1994 to April 1995
Primary responsibilities include PLC programming and start-up of various automatic systems for assorted clients including Campbell Soups, Chrysler and Abbot Laboratories with Allen-Bradley, Texas Instruments and Modicon controllers.  Also responsible for the generation and configuration of SCADA systems using Wonderware.

Others:

Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio January 1992 to April 1994
Cold Jet, Inc., Loveland, Ohio May 1990 to January 1992
Belcan Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio May 1989 to May 1990
PCS Technologies, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio November 1987 to September 1989
BGP Services, Cincinnati, Ohio August 1987 to November 1987
Procter & Gamble Co., Jackson, Tennessee April 1987 to August 1987
Vulcan-Hart Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland August 1986 to April 1987
Lever Brothers Company, Baltimore, Maryland December 1985 to August 1986

Education
Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology
Bowling Green State University

References
References provided upon request

This is a trap that many programmers fall into.

Always Know How To Return A Program To Its Original State.

I like to keep a handwritten log of the changes I make anytime I modify an existing program. That way, if things don’t work out, I can simply retrace my steps and make it just like it was.

Additionally, the program that is running in the PLC should be uploaded from the PLC to the laptop and stored in a safe place; perhaps on a thumb drive that can physically be removed from the computer.

However, downloading a program from your laptop to the PLC to restore the PLC to its original condition is not always ideal. First, you have to make sure you have a fresh version of the program. A program that was uploaded and saved a month ago might have old data. You might inadvertently erase any data that had been collected in the last month.

Also, downloading requires you to take the PLC out of “Run” mode and put it in “Program” mode. That means the PLC cannot run the equipment during this time. That might be a problem.

When modifying programs on the factory floor, I believe the best method is to simply write down the changes I have made. In most cases, it is much easier to go back and manually undo the mods you have made, as opposed to downloading a copy of the original program.

It is true that some program modifications are relatively simple. Picture this, though; as you are going through the rungs and changing the logic, you get a call regarding another machine that has gone down. Suddenly, your priorities have shifted. You may have to disconnect from this PLC and take your laptop over to the other machine.

When you return to your original task a few hours later, you might not remember where you left off. Simply referring to your notes is the easiest way to get back on track.

Besides, when the job is done and someone asks you what you did, you can easily pull out your notes and show them.

WARNING
There are dangerous voltages present on terminals of the PLC. Follow all warnings and instructions from the Allen-Bradley manual for connecting power to the PLC. If you are not familiar with hazards and the potential dangers of these voltages STOP RIGHT NOW. Consult a trained professional who is able to assist you.

First, backup up your original file and put it in a safe place.

Check the serial port settings of your computer in Control Panel. Make sure the baud rate (or bits per second) of your COM port is set as high as possible 57600 should work there.

Allen-Bradley provides a cable to connect the serial port of your computer to the 9-pin serial port on the SLC 500 processor. Connect the cable and turn power on to the PLC.

Turn the key operated switch on the processor to the center position PROG (program).

If you do not have RSLinx installed, you will have to do that now.

After you install RSLinx, you will have to configure it for your computer and your PLC.

To do that,

Choose
Start > Programs > Rockwell Software > RSLinx > RSLinx

In the Notification are of your Taskbar (the lower right of your Windows screen) that looks like this.

The one on the left is the RSLinx Communications Service. The other one is for the RSI Directory Service.

Click on the left one, the RSLinx Communications Service. The RSLinx screen will appear.

Choose

Communications > Configure Drivers

The driver screen appears.

Choose RS-232 DF1 devices from the “Available Driver Types” drop-down menu.

Click “Add New”.

Click “OK”.

You probably have your cable connected to COM1 of your computer. Click “Auto-Configure”.

In the box to the right of the “Auto-Configure” button, you should see a message that says “Auto Configuration Successful”. In addition, the “Device:” box should show “SLC-CH0/Micro/PanelView”.

Click “OK”. You should see a screen like this.

Click “Close”. You may close the RSLinx screen – RSLinx will still run, as indicated by the icon in the Notification area of your taskbar.

Open RSLogix.

Choose Comms > System Comm… from the menu. You will see a screen like this. You may have to maximize the screen and resize the panels to get the right view.

In the explorer panel on the left, click on the “+” next to “AB_DF1-1, DH-485”. You should see animation in the icon, as the tiny blue square moves around the little network symbol. The computer icon for address 00 indicates your computer. The icon for address 01 indicated the PLC. In our case, it is an SLC-5/03.

Select the SLC in the left window and click “OK”. The communications window will close.

In the RSLogix 500 main screen, choose File. Select your program from the Recent File List (it is probably 1).

Choose “Controller Properties” from the Project tree. Click on the “Controller Communications” tab.

Click on the “Driver” dropdown box and select “AB_DF-1-1”.

Click “Apply” then “OK”.

Choose Comms > Download

You should get a screen similar to this.

Choose “Yes”.

The program will begin downloading.

Since we are downloading a new configuration, this screen will appear.

Choose “Apply”. The program is now in the PLC.

Sometimes it is necessary to cycle power on your computer. Making the first connection to a PLC can be tricky. Prepare yourself by having the phone number for your Rockwell rep handy.

If things go well, you may be able to go online right away.

Choose Comms > Go Online

Choose “Browse” and find the folder where you file is located. Click “OK”.

The file name will show in the bottom box. Click on it to select it, then click “Upload Use File”.

You may need to change the Baud Rate of the PLC. Click “Channel Configuration” in the Project tree and click on the “Chan. 0 – System” tab. Choose “19200” from the Baud dropdown menu. Click “Apply” and “OK”.

Tip: In Allen-Bradley PLC vernacular, upload means get the program from the PLC and load it in RSLogix on your computer.

Download means send the program from RSLogix on your computer to the PLC.

You will now see a screen like this. Notice that the ladder icon is animated to indicate you are online.

INSTRUCTION – RSLogix’s command language is comprised of “instructions”. An XIC (it looks like a normally open contact –] [-- ) is an instruction. A timer is an instruction. A few of the most common instructions are described below.

BIT - an address within the PLC. It can be an input, output or internal coil, among others.

In RSLogix, there are a couple of ways to show the address of a bit. The default is:

[type]:[word]/[bit]

For example, an address that references an output of an SLC 500 is O:5/0. That is:

O:5/0 means that it is a physical output.
O:5/0 means that it uses Slot 5 (the 6th physical slot) in the rack.
O:5/0 means that it is the first output on the card.

Remember that the first slot in an SLC 500 rack is Slot 0. That means a card that is installed in the 6th physical slot is addressed as Slot 5.

Allen-Bradley PLC slots, like many computers, always start with 0.

By the way, don’t get the capital “O’s” confused with zeroes.

RUNG – A section of the PLC ladder program that terminates in an output function of some type. Just like in an electrical ladder diagram, a rung has some type of output that is turned on or turned off by the preceding entities in the rung. The first rung in a ladder program is always 0000.

HARDWIRED INPUT – a physical connection to the PLC from an input device (switch or sensor, etc.).

Allen-Bradley uses the capital letter “I” to designate a hardwired input. An address that describes an input on an SLC 500 is I:4/0.

Similar to the output structure,

I:4/0 means that it is a physical input.
I:4/0 means that it uses Slot 4 (the 5th slot in the rack).
I:4/0 means that it is the first input on the card.

Don’t get the capital “I’s” confused with ones.

HARDWIRED OUTPUT – a physical connection from the PLC to an output device (relay or pilot light, etc.) As was said above, an address that references an output of an SLC 500 is O:5/0.

INTERNAL COIL
This is a programmable bit used to simulate a relay within the PLC. The internal coil has no connection to the outside world. It does not connect to an output card. Internal coils are used to store information. The “contacts” of this “relay” can then be used multiple times in other parts of the program.

In RSLogix, the “B3” (binary) file is commonly used for all the internal coils. There are many other words in other files that have bits you can use as internal coils, but we are going to stick with the B3 file for our application.

B3:0/0 means that it references an internal Binary file
B3:0/0 means that it uses the first word in the table
B3:0/0 means that it is the first bit in the word.

Note that, unlike the Output and Input files, you have to use the file number in the address. In this case, the default file number is 3.

TIMER
A timer is a programmable instruction that lets you turn on or turn off bits after a preset time.

The two primary types of timers are TON for “timer on delay” and TOF for “timer off delay”.

Timers in A-B SLC and MicroLogix processors use file 4 for their timers.

T4:0 means that it references an internal Timer file
T4:0 means that it uses the first timer in the table

The address T4:0 simply refers to the timer. Each timer has bits that turn on after the timing function is complete. You can address this bit by simply putting a “/DN” after the timer address. DN stands for “done”.

For example, if timer T4:0 is a TON (timer on delay), then the bit T4:0/DN will turn on after the timer has reached its preset value.

COUNTER
A counter is a programmable instruction that lets you turn on or turn off bits after a preset count has been reached.

There are different types of counters available in the RSLogix, but the CTU (counter up) instruction covers everything we will talk about here.

Counters in A-B SLC and MicroLogix processors use file 5.

C5:0 means that it references an internal Counter file
C5:0 means that it uses the first counter in the table

The address C5:0 simply refers to the counter. Each counter has bits that turn on after the counting function is complete. You can address this bit by simply putting a “/DN” after the counter address. DN stands for “done”.

For example, if counter C5:0 is a CTU (counter up), then the bit C5:0/DN will turn on after the counter has reached its preset value.

–] [--    Normally Open Contact
When used with a hardwired input, this instruction is off until there is a voltage applied to the input. The bit address then goes high, or on, and the instruction becomes “true.” It works the same way when it has the same address as an internal coil, except that the coil must be turned on by logic in the program.

Allen-Bradley calls these normally open contacts “XIC”, or “eXamine If Closed” instruction.

An XIC instruction can reference a hardwired input, a hardwired output, an internal coil or a timer done bit, among others.

--]/[–    Normally Closed Contact
This is an inverted normally open contact.

When used with a hardwired input, this instruction is “true” until there is a voltage applied to the input. It then goes low, or off, and becomes “false.”

It also can be used with an internal coil, becoming true when the coil is off and becoming false when the coil is on.

Allen-Bradley calls these normally closed contacts “XIO”, or “eXamine If Open” instructions.

-( )-    Output Coil
When used with a hardwired output, this function is off until the logic in the program allows it to turn on. It then becomes “true”, and will energize the device that is wired to the respective output.

If it is used as an internal coil, it will toggle the instructions associated with it. That is, it will close a normally open instruction and open a normally closed instruction.

Allen-Bradley calls these outputs “OTE”, or “OutpuT Energize”.

An OTE may be used with a hardwired output or an internal coil.

TRUE – A state that indicates an instruction is allowing logic to “flow” through it.

Also, if the logic in a rung turns on the output of the rung, then the rung is said to be true.

FALSE – Without stating the obvious, this is the opposite of true.

Excerpted from PLC Programming with RSLogix 500

How to Program a Programmable Logic Controller

Look around in any modern manufacturing facility and you will find PLCs, or Programmable Logic Controllers. You have seen all the names; Allen-Bradley®, Modicon®, Texas Instruments®, Siemens® and so on. Large companies and small companies use these types of computers running ladder logic programs to automate and control their manufacturing processes.

Understanding how these PLCs work is very important to anyone who works with industrial equipment. Fast and efficient PLC training is the best way to learn the ladder logic of PLCs. It will help you in your current job or help get you the job you want. More

PLC Programming with RSLogix 500

How to Program an Allen-Bradley SLC 500 with Rockwell Automation’s RSLogix 500

RSLogix 500 is used with the Allen-Bradley SLC 5/01, SLC 5/02, SLC 5/03, SLC 5/04, SLC 5/05 and MicroLogix PLCs

Rockwell Automation and its line of Allen-Bradley SLC controllers have been the dominant force in PLCs (programmable logic controllers) for many years. Their influence and market share continue to rise. Hundreds of thousands of processes and machine control applications are controlled by the Rockwell’s SLC™ 500 and their RSLogix™ PLC software.

This book teaches you, step by step, how to use the ladder logic of RSLogix 500™ with the Allen-Bradley® family of SLCs. More

PLC Programming with RSLogix 5000

How to Program Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs with Rockwell Automation’s RSLogix

RSLogix 5000 is used with the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs

ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers are the latest and most powerful addition to their line of PLCs (programmable logic controllers). Many processes and machines worldwide are controlled by the Rockwell’s Allen-Bradley PLCs and their RSLogix 5000 software.

This book teaches you, step by step, how to use RSLogix 5000™ with the Allen-Bradley® ControlLogix or CompactLogix families of PLCs. More

How to Program RSView32

How to Program an HMI and SCADA System with Rockwell Automation’s RSView32

In today’s industrial environment, controlling the logical operation of a machine or a process is only half the solution, though. A reliable Human Machine Interface, or HMI, is just as critical.

RSView32 provides an inexpensive but powerful solution. Not only can RSView32 work as HMI software, it can also function as a full fledged SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system. More

How to Troubleshoot with a PLC

How to Diagnosis and Correct Problems with RSLogix 500 and RSLogix 5000

Troubleshooting is how engineers and technicians find and correct problems in a mechanical or electronic system.

It is a necessary skill for all those who are responsible for building or maintaining industrial systems and equipment. It is apart of their daily lives. Understanding ladder logic is an important part of troubleshooting automated systems.

“How To Troubleshoot With A PLC” teaches you how to troubleshoot a system that is controlled by a PLC. It shows you how to interpret ladder logic to quickly find the problem with a machine. More

Ladder logic is a programming language, like Visual Basic or C. When you learn any language, it is always important to understand the basic terms.

If you are just getting started, here are a few terms you should know. These apply to any PLC.

Excerpted from “The Beginner’s Guide to PLC Programming”

BIT – an address within the PLC. It can be an input, output or internal coil, among others.

RUNG – A section of the PLC ladder program that terminates in an output function of some type.

HARDWIRED INPUT – a physical connection to the PLC from an input device (switch or sensor, etc.)

HARDWIRED OUTPUT – a physical connection from the PLC to an output device (relay or pilot light, etc.)

INTERNAL COIL
This is a programmable bit used to simulate a relay within the PLC. The internal coil has no connection to the outside world. It does not connect to an output card. Internal coils are used to store information. The “contacts” of this “relay” can then be used multiple times in other parts of the program.

–] [--    Normally Open Contact
When used with a hardwired input, this instruction is off until there is a voltage applied to the input. The bit address then goes high, or on, and the instruction becomes “true.” It works the same way when it has the same address as an internal coil, except that the coil must be turned on by logic in the program.

--]/[–    Normally Closed Contact
This is an inverted normally open contact. When used with a hardwired input, this instruction is “true” until there is a voltage applied to the input. It then goes low, or off, and becomes “false.” It also can be used with an internal coil, becoming true when the coil is off and becoming false when the coil is on.

-(  )-    Output Coil
When used with a hardwired output, this function is off until the logic in the program allows it to turn on. It then becomes “true”, and will energize the device that is wired to the respective output. If it is used as an internal coil, it will toggle the instructions associated with it. That is, it will close a normally open instruction and open a normally closed instruction.

+———–+
TIMER        |
+– SEC —+    Timer
This function is used to supply a programmable delay. It requires the use of its “timer finished” bit, like a time delay relay uses its contact.

+————+
COUNTER    |
+— 000 —+  Counter
The counter function is used to count events. It could be used to keep track of machine cycles, count parts, etc. It can be programmed with a preset value that triggers another event when the count is reached.