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ABOUT ME

Greetings! I'm Mohd Zariff Syazwan bin Shahrom, a graduate in Mechatronics with a solid start in the semiconductor industry as a Test Manufacturing Engineer at Western Digital. In this role, I gained valuable experience in overseeing technical processes and ensuring quality production. My career path led me to Flextronics, where I took on the role of a PCB Debug Engineer. Despite facing challenges, this experience was crucial as it pushed me to identify my true professional passion. Throughout my career, I've always been drawn to the process of creation and problem-solving, something I deeply enjoyed during my university project work and while engaging with Arduino-based projects. Acknowledging my affinity for hands-on project work and recognizing my need for a dynamic environment, I decided to specialize in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), a cornerstone technology in the field of industrial automation. In pursuit of this goal, I enroll in a dedicated, full-time PLC course...

SIEMENS SIMATIC S7-1200 HARDWARE SETUP

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PLC CPU:  It used a SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU 1215C, which is a compact programmable logic controller.  In the context of PLCs, the term "CPU" refers to the central processing unit of the controller. The CPU is the brain of the PLC, executing control instructions contained in the user program.  A PLC CPU typically consists of the processor, the memory system, and, in many cases, integrated power supply circuits to manage its own power requirements. However, this does not mean it contains the power supply for the entire PLC system. Here's how it breaks down: Processor: Executes the control program that has been loaded into the PLC. Memory System: Stores the control program, as well as the data required for executing the program, which includes the status of inputs, outputs, and intermediate calculations. Power Supply (Internal): Provides the necessary voltages to the CPU and sometimes to some of the internal components such as integrated I/Os. This is not to be confused with the...

SIEMENS TIA Portal Service 1 (TIA-SERV1) Course

I am currently engaged in a two-month  SIEMENS  Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) training course provided by Kulim Advanced Technologies. It's designed to align with my Mechatronics background and it's been a great fit so far. The focus is on the SIMATIC S7-1200 PLCs, and it offers practical experience with real industrial tools like conveyors training kit etc. Through this training, I am now capable of using the TIA Portal SIEMENS to develop ladder logic programs. Additionally, I can bring these programs to life using simulation tools such as PLC SIM and Factory IO, which enable me to model and test factory settings including conveyor belts, sensors, and actuators. At the end of the day, all gratitude goes to my PLC trainer for their valuable support and guidance. The course also covers industrial robotics programming, providing me with the great opportunity to work hands-on with the industry-standard FANUC LR Mate robot. Furthermore, I have honed my skills in electro-pneu...

DIY PROJECT: A CONCEPTUAL SMART KEY DISPENSER FOR REMOTE ACCESS

Handling key exchanges for rental properties when you can't be there in person is a common dilemma for many owners. To address this, I've taken a do-it-yourself approach and developed a conceptual model—a mock-up of a Smart Key Dispenser using GSM technology. This project is a prototype, designed to demonstrate how property owners can control access to their rentals remotely. The system consists of a box that holds the keys and a mechanism that can unlock this box via a simple text message. The technology behind this is not overly complicated. It uses an Arduino as the brain and a GSM SIM900A module to receive SMS commands and actuate a motor that unlocks the box, making the keys available. Although this is just a conceptual model and not a market-ready product, the process of creating it was highly educational. It's meant to show that with a bit of creativity and basic electronics knowledge, practical solutions to everyday problems can be devised. Below is a video that dem...

DIY SMARTPHONE-CONTROLLED AUTOGATE PROJECT WITH BLYNK

Have you ever wished you could control your home gate with just a tap on your smartphone? Well, that's exactly what I set out to achieve with my latest DIY project. Using the Blynk application, I've made my home entrance smarter and more accessible. In this innovative DIY project, I've taken a creative approach to home automation by transforming a standard gate remote control into a smart, internet-connected device. The process began with disassembling the remote control to access the internal button circuitry. Instead of using a traditional Arduino board, I opted for the compact yet powerful ESP8266 microcontroller, which is a popular choice for IoT (Internet of Things) projects due to its built-in WiFi capabilities. With some careful wiring, I connected the ESP8266 to the button contacts on the remote control's circuit board. This setup allows the ESP8266 to "press" the button electronically, sending the signal to open or close the gate just as if I were pre...