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design by:
Brian
Ondrey
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The question of what we do is always a good place to start. For the most part, people tend to see control systems as a large, mysterious black box. They know that if they press a button on a control panel, a motor starts to turn. But it is the why part that not nearly as obvious. To start with the heart of a control system, we look at a device called a Programmable Logic Controller or PLC for short. This is the brains of the whole operation. Within the PLC is stored a very simple code called ladder logic. A common "rung" of a ladder logic program would be if Input 1 is ON and Input 2 is ON, then turn ON Output 1. These rungs execute in order and when all of the rungs have executed, the program goes back to the beginning and starts again. As for the Inputs and Outputs, they are either Voltage or Current signals. In the case of our motor turning, when the operator pushes their button, a circuit loop is completed. Voltage at an Input card for a PLC which used to be 0V has now gone high. The PLC interprets this high Voltage signal as an ON condition. If all other conditions are met, then the system turns on the outputs which will allow power to flow to the motor. Beyond just buttons, there are many other devices that give us information. Proximity switches are switches that turn ON when metal comes near it. Photo-eyes are light sensors. Pressure switches which are used in air systems, turn on when the air pressure reaches a certain point. These are just a few examples of the wide range of items used in today's control systems. Our job in all of this, is first to determine what devices and sensors will be necessary for what we are trying to do. Next, we produce wiring diagrams showing what wires will be necessary and adding fuses and circuit breakers to protect our system if any device should fail. Then cabinets are built to house the PLCs and other electrical equipment necessary. These are tested and shipped to site where they are connected to all of the devices in the field. At the same time, we are working on the ladder logic necessary for the system. We then go to the field to test out all of the electrical connections and then test the ladder logic code. All functions of the ride are then tested out before its finally ready for the public.
What do you look for in an employee? The first thing that we feel is necessary in anyone that comes to work for us is initiative. We look for motivated people with some imagination that can think on their feet. Being a small company, we need people that do not always need direction. Experience with PLCs and ladder logic (especially Allen Bradley) is a strong plus. A strong electrical background is also necessary and any experience with AB or ABB DC/AC drives and AutoCAD is also a plus. Beyond those, experience in the amusement industry is also helpful but not necessary. We do understand though that experience is not always easy to come by, especially in such a unique field. We are also considering recent college graduates or any other qualified persons demonstrating the ability to learn quickly.
We are not currently hiring. However, we do welcome resumes from any interested potential employees and will keep them on file for future consideration. When sending applications, we ask that you either email them or send them via mail. No faxes or phone calls, please.
What does it take to get a job in the amusement industry? There are a lot of people out there that want to become roller coaster designers and many others that are just looking for a way to get into the amusement industry. For the most part however, the job market in these areas is somewhat scarce due to only a few companies handling this specialized type of work. I don't wish to discourage anyone that truly wants to do this, but you need to realize that it usually takes a long time of hard work to get there. For those of you still in high-school or college, the first thing to realize is you will not be able to walk out of school directly into the engineering side of the industry. The first key is to get experience. Experience does not need to be in the amusement industry, but only needs to be something similar to the work you are wanting to do. 3-5 years is a good amount. A second point is don't try for the top jobs at the start. Get your foot in the door wherever you can, but again realize that you need to give yourself a couple of years before you may be able to move ahead. As I said, don't give up, but don't push either. It can be a very busy industry at times and its hard trying to handle business mail along with constant requests for information. Have at least some of the points I mentioned above ready and be prepared for a long road. This is a case where there are many people out there with imaginations. The key now is to have the technical knowledge to back it up.
Do you only engineer control systems for roller coasters? Definitely not! We have engineered control systems for various types of amusement parks rides and we welcome the opportunity to do more. In fact, we do not even wish to limit ourselves to the amusement industry in general. Our control systems can easily be adapted for many of the manufacturing industries.
Are you willing to design control systems for already existing rides? Yes. In fact we are looking into the business of refurbishing classic rides as a specialty. One of our ideas is to take controls that already exist and incorporate them with modern processors and equipment. In keeping the older system intact, we give our clients the opportunity to display the system to their patrons as a view into history. For those rides that have not reached that level of age or systems in which the current equipment is unsalvageable, we can also completely redesign the control system to bring it up to today's operating standards. We are willing to work with our clients on whatever requests or goals they wish to achieve for any type of refurbishing or retrofitting.
Why would I want a Consign control system? Ahhhh, I compliment you on such an intelligent question. Consign control systems are one of the few fully redundant control systems on the market. The systems are run by two completely separate PLCs both having the ability to stop the ride. We are constantly checking for any discrepancy between the two processors and shut the system down if one is discovered. Each motor, brake, etc. has two outputs required before it can run. The way this works is power is allowed to flow from its source through output card 1 run by processor A. That power then goes into a second output card that is run by processor B. Only when both output cards are ON can power then be supplied to the field device. Nothing can happen unless the A and B sides are in agreement. Lastly, when those outputs are OFF, the systems also tests and verifies that both output cards are functioning properly.
What do I get if I purchase a Consign control system? We begin by providing you or your electrical contractor with complete wiring diagrams working with whatever additional requests or requirements you may have. The control panels, which are produced and fully tested out at Logical Systems Inc. will be shipped to you. One of our engineers will then arrive on site to test out the electrical connections and ladder logic. Along with the control systems, we also provide a PC with a windows based error display program. The error display program developed at Consign has the additional functions of error description lookup and error logging in windows based text files. Complete documentation including an operator's manual is provided along with training. We also offer technical support for the first year.
100%. For all of the Consign control systems operating in the market today, there has never been a single injury or fatality due to the control system.
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