Tim Wilborne's Podcast

Starting an independent service or contracting company comes with massive challenges, and finding your very first clients is often the hardest part. In this video, we answer a question from JT about how to land those initial accounts and how to recognize when you are truly ready to take the leap into starting your own business. We share the story of how TW Controls started—including the mistakes we made by jumping in without a safety net—and contrast that with the ideal balance of preparation and timing. You will learn practical strategies for leveraging low-hanging fruit, such as transforming former employers into professional clients, building relationships with local competitors, collaborating with equipment distributors, and putting in the sweat equity needed to solve immediate breakdown emergencies for local facilities.
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
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It has been a busy few weeks at the training center with custom guest training covering IO-Link, sensors, and TIA Portal. In this update, I discuss the progress on our new pneumatic trainer and pick-and-place robot trainer, both of which will be featured in upcoming videos. I also take some time to answer your questions regarding the real-world application of IO-Link, how to transition between different PLC platforms, and how to effectively communicate with your manager about justifying the need for training equipment to reduce costly downtime. Using a practical, data-driven approach to justify the hardware you need for your sandbox environment is the most effective way to transition from reactive maintenance to planned machine shutdowns.

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!

Workforce Readiness for Managers https://twcontrols.com/workforce-readiness-for-managers
The above links make these videos possible. Please use them!

This week we dive into a wide range of topics gathered from your questions on YouTube and LinkedIn. We start by addressing a common terminology correction regarding motor insulation testing and why it is so difficult to provide a universal "good" or "bad" resistance value. The conversation moves into the technical hurdles of migrating from legacy 1734 POINT I/O to the newer 5034 modules, including the unexpected challenges of scope creep and input filter settings.
We also tackle the "heated" debate over legacy networking protocols like ControlNet and DeviceNet. While many agree these systems are nearing their end of life, the physical media and downtime requirements make replacement a complex planning task rather than a quick fix. Finally, we share a personal story about a project vehicle fire that serves as a reminder of the importance of thinking under pressure, and we reflect on how our responses to industry events define our professional community.
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!

The news that Yokohama Tire in Salem is closing its doors on March 18th is a "plant obituary" for our community. For me, it’s personal. I started in that facility at 12 years old, and those foundations are exactly what built TW Controls. But as we look at the 2,700 local lives impacted by the economic multiplier effect, we have to ask: Are we waiting for a lifeline from Washington, or are we building our own resilience?I am tired of hearing about the "workforce skills gap" from companies that force their technicians to push a broom the moment the line is running. If your team is "looking busy" instead of practicing on the bench, you aren't managing—you’re falling behind. Training isn’t a one-and-done checkbox; it’s a yearly requirement to stay in demand. Today, we’re talking about taking ownership of our backyards, from Master Electrician CEUs to bridging the gap between legacy 1734 and modern 5034 Point I/O.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!

We dive into the common pitfall of new engineers: the urge to provide solutions before understanding the existing environment. Drawing parallels between manufacturing and recent Rotary District training, we explore why a "Health Check" is vital for both machines and organizations. We discuss the importance of listening to the voices and "baggage" of an old facility before attempting to rewrite its history. You’ll also learn about reciprocal teaching, a method that moves beyond lecturing to create true engagement and knowledge retention.We also tackle technical questions from the community, including a deep dive into NFC security on the 5034 IO. While some suggest disabling it for security, we look at the balance between defense-in-depth and the necessity of troubleshooting tools. Other topics include configuring gateways on the SIM IP, designing rotary phase converters, and the distinct, unmistakable smell of "magic smoke." Whether you are preparing for a week in the lab or heading out to a job site, these insights will help you approach your work with more confidence and perspective.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!