I/O Central | Frank Lamb | Activity

Frank Lamb replied to the discussion How Important Are Blueprints in Accurate Project Planning? in the forum Automation Academy

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:54:19 +0000

Reply to How Important Are Blueprints in Accurate Project Planning?

Of course this site really doesn’t have much to do with construction, but I’ll humor you.

In machine fabrication we use 3D CAD, and for controls we draw electrical schematics, usually 2D. You can’t really design stuff without it, though in the old days we had do draft things by pencil.

What I find interesting is the number of people who find…

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hi all! I am in the middle of a series of road trips […]

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:07:54 +0000

Hi all! I am in the middle of a series of road trips both teaching and doing plant evaluation work. I posted about this travel stuff here: https://automationprimer.com/2026/02/16/life-on-the-road-how-much-do-i-really-like-travel/

I will be mostly back home in March, but then doing a long road trip to Canada for most of April and May. I will try…

Frank Lamb posted an update: Happy New Year everyone! If you are just visiting, […]

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 15:21:27 +0000

Happy New Year everyone! If you are just visiting, consider joining the Automation Academy. There is a lot of excellent industrial automation training content there, including training videos, software and lots of tech documents. There will be some cool new Siemens material added over the next couple of months.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hi all! I have started a list of system integrators […]

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 15:02:34 +0000

Hi all! I have started a list of system integrators for North America, and another for overseas integrators, at least from the perspective of where I live. I am getting most of my responses via LinkedIn, that seems to be the best resource.

I would like to make it available to everyone here and editable by the owner, and have thought of putting…

Frank Lamb posted an update: Happy Eostre everyone! May your eggs be shiny, yet inexpensive!

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 14:04:44 +0000

Happy Eostre everyone! May your eggs be shiny, yet inexpensive!

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hello from Miami, Florida. Working lots of hours at […]

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 16:22:53 +0000

Hello from Miami, Florida. Working lots of hours at ABD.

How ’bout them tariffs?

Frank Lamb posted an update: Frank Lamb is inviting you to a scheduled […]

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:31:02 +0000

Frank Lamb is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Mastering the Machine – Weintek

Time: Mar 7, 2025 08:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4914304295?pwd=ODVEYXhMaEVBd1NlWVZadHF2am45Zz09&omn=82748868949

Meeting ID: 491 430 4295

Passcode: 7gWcPe

—

One tap…

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hi all, I just cleaned out over 300 spam groups here […]

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:09:17 +0000

Hi all, I just cleaned out over 300 spam groups here created by hackers. I hadn’t seen that loophole before, where subscribers and registered members could create social groups and post whatever they wanted.

So unfortunately now to create a new group you will have to message an administrator. This website stuff is hard, and it’s too bad there…

Frank Lamb posted an update: Headed to ABD in Miami for some Ignition practice! I am […]

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:44:29 +0000

Headed to ABD in Miami for some Ignition practice! I am also studying AI heavily, hit me up if you want to talk about it.

Frank Lamb posted an update: There is a new outline for the Ignition Core […]

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:22:42 +0000

There is a new outline for the Ignition Core Certification course in the Automation Academy Library. I recommend the Inductive University training course highly; it took me over a month to complete, but was definitely worth it. In addition to the Ignition platform itself, you will get a taste of Python and SQL.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Happy Holidays, felicitations and good cheer to all. […]

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 15:21:49 +0000

Happy Holidays, felicitations and good cheer to all. Is there an echo in here…ere…ere…?

Frank Lamb posted an update in the group Beckhoff: There are now four modules in the Beckhoff/CodeSYS course […]

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:14:43 +0000

There are now four modules in the Beckhoff/CodeSYS course in the Automation Academy. The fifth is on VISUs, I am still working on it. The first four lessons will get you to the point where you can run a program locally on their FREE TwinCAT software. Check it out!

Frank Lamb posted an update: I am back from Chicago where I visited GennFlex, a […]

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:10:17 +0000

I am back from Chicago where I visited GennFlex, a company that designs and builds training equipment. These are my new Rev. 3 enclosure kits which they made, I put a couple of Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLCs in them. It takes way too long to wire these, I am still looking for a resource for that.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hi all, I am in Los Angeles teaching a ControlLogix […]

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:01:05 +0000

Hi all, I am in Los Angeles teaching a ControlLogix class this week. Hit me up if you are in the area.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Frank Lamb is inviting you to a scheduled […]

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 13:46:17 +0000

Frank Lamb is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Mastering the Machine

Time: Aug 22, 2024 01:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4914304295?pwd=ODVEYXhMaEVBd1NlWVZadHF2am45Zz09&omn=83925635557

Meeting ID: 491 430 4295

Passcode: 7gWcPe

—

One tap…

Frank Lamb posted an update: OT SCADA CON was Fire!

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:18:40 +0000

OT SCADA CON was Fire!

Frank Lamb posted an update in the group Microcontrollers and SBCs: An update on my status with Microcontrollers, SBCs and […]

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:17:10 +0000

An update on my status with Microcontrollers, SBCs and other IIoT stuff:

I just bought 2 Raspberry Pi 5s and built them into their little cases. My current Pi count is 2x 5s, 2x 4s, 1x 400 built into keyboard, 3x 3Bs, and 2x Picos.

5x Arduinos, 6x ESP32s.

I have not done a ton of projects with these yet. My electronics lab is quite stocked…

Frank Lamb posted a new activity comment

Sun, 12 May 2024 15:09:06 +0000

I will vouch for that, Paul is a robot. So is John Silver.

In reply to - paul-gold posted an update

Actually, I am a robot…

Frank Lamb posted an update: In the past 3 weeks I have attended an SMC open […]

Sun, 12 May 2024 15:07:55 +0000

In the past 3 weeks I have attended an SMC open house (pneumatics), the Assembly Show here in Nashville, and Automate 2024 in Chicago. I had a great time, saw lots of cool products and met some people I have only known online for the first time. While it was lots of fun, I didn’t get a lot done on my (too many) other projects.

Next week I…

Frank Lamb replied to the discussion Training in the forum Automation Academy

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 14:51:54 +0000

Reply to Training

Thanks Matt! Automation Direct is pretty awesome stuff, the price is right and you can’t beat free software. That’s usually the platform I suggest for companies who haven’t standardized on one of the major brands.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hi Folks! Anyone home? I am working on 2 new books, one […]

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 14:49:14 +0000

Hi Folks! Anyone home?

I am working on 2 new books, one on Automation Direct PLCs and one on CODESYS. Anyone interested in these topics hit me up!

Frank Lamb posted an update: Doing a webinar on Omron CX One tomorrow if anyone […]

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:34:54 +0000

Doing a webinar on Omron CX One tomorrow if anyone is interested…

Frank Lamb is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Mastering the Machine

Time: Sep 1, 2023 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4914304295?pwd=ODVEYXhMaEVBd1NlWVZadHF2am45Zz09

Meeting ID: 491 430 4295

Passcode: 7gWcPe

—

One…

Frank Lamb posted an update: I'll be in Detroit at the end of the month teaching a 2 […]

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 14:42:42 +0000

I’ll be in Detroit at the end of the month teaching a 2 day Omron class. I had to go back and watch my own video at the Academy to brush up, it’s pretty good and to the point! For some reason I’ve been getting more inquiries into Omron lately.

Frank Lamb posted an update: The traffic on this site is underwhelming... Ask me […]

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 14:50:23 +0000

The traffic on this site is underwhelming… Ask me a question, I’ll tell you no lies!

Frank Lamb posted an update: Never eat anything bigger than your head. I promise, […]

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 18:25:40 +0000

Never eat anything bigger than your head. I promise, it doesn’t end well.

Frank Lamb posted an update: I am back from my 19 day, 3300 mile trip to Miami […]

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:19:05 +0000

I am back from my 19 day, 3300 mile trip to Miami and Houston. I am teaching Beckhoff next week at Automation NTH. Pie is good, especially cherry.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Happy Father's Day!

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 15:46:48 +0000

Happy Father’s Day!

Frank Lamb posted an update: https://youtu.be/eEguU9fx5kc Yesterday's webinar on Beckhoff

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 16:37:41 +0000

https://youtu.be/eEguU9fx5kc Yesterday’s webinar on Beckhoff

Frank Lamb posted an update: I am old. That is all.

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 15:37:37 +0000

I am old. That is all.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis... has left the building.

Mon, 29 May 2023 15:36:02 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis… has left the building.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Six new PID related items in Technical>PID in the […]

Sun, 14 May 2023 16:56:55 +0000

Six new PID related items in Technical>PID in the Library. Includes two Allen-Bradley simulation programs if you have the software…

Frank Lamb posted an update: Thanks for hanging out with me and Ali G this […]

Sat, 06 May 2023 20:59:04 +0000

Thanks for hanging out with me and Ali G this morning! https://youtu.be/W8ODTJaqfuc

Frank Lamb posted an update: Back from vacation and working on Allen-Bradley and Beckhoff stuff.

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 14:18:41 +0000

Back from vacation and working on Allen-Bradley and Beckhoff stuff.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Created a very cool simulation and demo of a PID […]

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 18:15:50 +0000

Created a very cool simulation and demo of a PID application in RSLogix Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk View ME, will be making a video shortly.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Beckhoff! Beckhoff, Beckhoff, Beckhoff.

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:47:00 +0000

Beckhoff! Beckhoff, Beckhoff, Beckhoff.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Yes, I am still here. I am not a robot, and you […]

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 19:48:17 +0000

Yes, I am still here. I am not a robot, and you probably aren’t either.

Frank Lamb started the discussion My Current Projects in the forum Microcontrollers and SBCs

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 13:57:58 +0000

My Current Projects

Hey all just an update on what I am working on. After doing some general exercises with Raspberry Pi and Arduino just to familiarize myself with them, I started on a couple of projects with an actual purpose. I bought some HC12 wireless transmitters and connected them to two Arduinos to make them communicate. One of the features of…

Frank Lamb posted a new activity comment

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 13:39:22 +0000

Thanks for the update Matt! I did 8 years in the Air Force and got my start in electronics there, but there was really nothing related to Automation. I got out in 1989 and started on my EE degree as a 29 year old freshman. A couple of years in I had to decide on a specialty and chose Controls not really knowing what it was. When I graduated… Read more

In reply to - Mattycat posted an update

This post is for anyone who is interested in sharing their position in automation and how they got there. To summarize my career in a sentence, I’m a farm boy who is now […]

Frank Lamb posted an update: Yup, I'm still here. That little light that stays on […]

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 14:23:55 +0000

Yup, I’m still here. That little light that stays on all night upstairs, that’s me.

Frank Lamb posted an update: If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 21:16:18 +0000

If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?

Frank Lamb posted an update: Nope, no one under the couch... just old popcorn.

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:02:54 +0000

Nope, no one under the couch… just old popcorn.

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hello...ello...ello... the echoes reverberate thought […]

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 16:16:00 +0000

Hello…ello…ello… the echoes reverberate thought the site as I wander its halls…

Frank Lamb posted an update: There is a new video for Module 4 of the Mastering […]

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 17:03:12 +0000

There is a new video for Module 4 of the Mastering the Machine course, I am working on one for Module 5. Hit me up with any suggestions!

Frank Lamb posted an update: https://youtu.be/llnPS_R3rq8 Saturday's webinar on my […]

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 16:32:55 +0000

https://youtu.be/llnPS_R3rq8 Saturday’s webinar on my new Mastering the Machine course in the Academy

Frank Lamb posted an update: Taking a break from my Beckhoff work and adding to […]

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:43:03 +0000

Taking a break from my Beckhoff work and adding to the Mastering the Machine course. I’ve decided to use my old mini-factory as an example for quoting and machine specifications since I have pictures, video and component pricing for it. Stay tuned!

Frank Lamb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:39:50 +0000

Absolutely, when a system or machine gets big and complicated it is really important that the program is organized well. A couple of projects I did at Wright had over 1000 I/O points and 20+ individual sections of the machine. Each section had a program, each with its own routines for I/O, Control, Faults and system interfacing. These were… Read more

In reply to - Mattycat posted an update

Thank you for putting together the RSLogix 5000 Odyssey class. My biggest take away is the organization of the programs. At my work there are machine programs with 1 or 2 routines […]

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hey all, new Beckhoff course manual in the Library. This […]

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 20:03:04 +0000

Hey all, new Beckhoff course manual in the Library. This is an 88 page manual for a Beckhoff training class. I used the initial version for a 4-day Maintenance class for an external customer, then modified it for a class I am teaching for NTH engineers next week. Most of the exercises use the simulation and VISUs in TwinCAT, so you don’t even need a PLC.

Frank Lamb posted an update: https://automationprimer.com/2022/12/31/happy-new-year-help-wanted/

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 18:03:53 +0000

https://automationprimer.com/2022/12/31/happy-new-year-help-wanted/

Frank Lamb posted an update: Hi folks, hope you had a good Christmas and are […]

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:30:22 +0000

Hi folks, hope you had a good Christmas and are looking forward to the new year! Hopefully you haven’t received any spammy e-mails… at least not from here.

I am really hoping to find someone interested in helping out with marketing and administrative tasks this year for the Automation Academy and this site. I made a deal with my wife that if…

Frank Lamb posted an update: Thanks for hanging out Saturday on the Webinar!

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 16:35:18 +0000

Thanks for hanging out Saturday on the Webinar!