Everytime I go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, or Knott's Berry Farm, I am amazed at the computer controls used in rides and entertainment today. I majored in Electronics, Microwave Communication and everything from vacuum tube electronics, Color TV repair, solid state devices and electronic circuit design math. Automation and computer control of rides and industrial machines fascinate me.
Great video! I'm currently going to school atm to become an electrician technician. One of the last classes I'll be taking is regarding PLCs! My current class I have to do a PowerPoint and a paper on anything electrical, so I decided rollercoasters. LOL. I'll be sure to credit & source this as a reference.
@@themeparktechnology2760 Glad too see you are still active! This is the best explanation of ride PLCs I have seen done by any channel, perfectly explains things to someone new to the concept. How did you get your information, are you studying controls by chance?
@@themeparktechnology2760 Too many! Lol. Allen Bradley, B&R, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi and a few more. Using all the different programming software is the hardest part as they all do the same thing differently. I also repair HMI's from the same brands.
In your experience, what are the common problems with the PLCs you've had to repair? I ask because in 17 years, I've only had to change the PLC module itself on a ride once. This was because it just refused to remember the program after you disconnected the programming computer from it. We found after a power cut that the PLC battery had given up and the program was lost. Fitted a new battery, re-loaded the program onto the PLC, disconnected the laptop, PLC promptly forgets everything it was just told..... A few attempts later all resulting in the same thing, we left the laptop connected and the ride ran perfectly fine. Disconnect the laptop again and same result, PLC communication error no program found.....
Roller coaster PLCs should be under lock and key while the ride is under operation. A red error causes the lift hill will stop, and the mid course brake run to engage continuously until the train until the PLC fail safe is overridden which needs to never ever be done by a ride operator no matter the circumstances and should only be done by a ride engineer and after the prerequisites are completed.
Hello! I am new to your channel and am curious to know if you could talk about some of the cyber security aspects of theme park rides. cannot wait to see more of your videos!
Thank you for your interest. I’ll add that topic to my list. I’m glad you brought it up as cyber security is often an overlooked aspect of theme park attractions. It’s extremely important in today’s environment
@@themeparktechnology2760 Thanks for your reply I look forward to it, I work at a theme park and im pursuing a degree in cyber sec so sometimes at work I worry about stuff like that lol
me: going to turn on lofi to work with also me: sees this and realizes it can teach me about my dream job area me: I think this is more important and I have plenty of time
Everytime I go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, or Knott's Berry Farm, I am amazed at the computer controls used in rides and entertainment today. I majored in Electronics, Microwave Communication and everything from vacuum tube electronics, Color TV repair, solid state devices and electronic circuit design math. Automation and computer control of rides and industrial machines fascinate me.
This video deserves way more attention. Amazing work!
Great video! I'm currently going to school atm to become an electrician technician. One of the last classes I'll be taking is regarding PLCs! My current class I have to do a PowerPoint and a paper on anything electrical, so I decided rollercoasters. LOL. I'll be sure to credit & source this as a reference.
Don't know how I am just now finding this but great video!
Thank you! I’m working on more videos on other ride technology topics that I plan on releasing soon!
@@themeparktechnology2760 Glad too see you are still active! This is the best explanation of ride PLCs I have seen done by any channel, perfectly explains things to someone new to the concept. How did you get your information, are you studying controls by chance?
I work on control systems as my day job
Hey - love the channel. Keep it up man. +1 subscriber
I hope some of the PLC's and IO modules I repair at work are used to control a theme park ride, that would be cool.
What brands do you repair?
@@themeparktechnology2760 Too many! Lol. Allen Bradley, B&R, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi and a few more. Using all the different programming software is the hardest part as they all do the same thing differently. I also repair HMI's from the same brands.
Awesome! I’ve seen just about all of those brands in the field. Thanks for helping keep things running.
@@themeparktechnology2760 Happy to help keep the lights on :)
In your experience, what are the common problems with the PLCs you've had to repair?
I ask because in 17 years, I've only had to change the PLC module itself on a ride once. This was because it just refused to remember the program after you disconnected the programming computer from it. We found after a power cut that the PLC battery had given up and the program was lost. Fitted a new battery, re-loaded the program onto the PLC, disconnected the laptop, PLC promptly forgets everything it was just told..... A few attempts later all resulting in the same thing, we left the laptop connected and the ride ran perfectly fine. Disconnect the laptop again and same result, PLC communication error no program found.....
Roller coaster PLCs should be under lock and key while the ride is under operation. A red error causes the lift hill will stop, and the mid course brake run to engage continuously until the train until the PLC fail safe is overridden which needs to never ever be done by a ride operator no matter the circumstances and should only be done by a ride engineer and after the prerequisites are completed.
Absolutely amazing video!
Can you do a video about all park sound systems?
Hello! I am new to your channel and am curious to know if you could talk about some of the cyber security aspects of theme park rides. cannot wait to see more of your videos!
Thank you for your interest. I’ll add that topic to my list. I’m glad you brought it up as cyber security is often an overlooked aspect of theme park attractions. It’s extremely important in today’s environment
@@themeparktechnology2760 Thanks for your reply I look forward to it, I work at a theme park and im pursuing a degree in cyber sec so sometimes at work I worry about stuff like that lol
@@srarther3 I would imagine that the control equipment isn't connected to the internet so you need physical access.
They use pac's programmable automation controller they are more complex and can do more functionality than a plc
Very imformative video. Ive been in the computed room of Cheetah Hunt. Can you do one explaining LSM's? That would be really cool.
Yes! I’ve got plans for a video on LSM’s. That may take awhile as I’d like to go in depth as possible.
@@themeparktechnology2760 Yay! The more in depth the better!
Loved the video!!
@@themeparktechnology2760 I am already Hyped xD
Can you do a video on how they relaunch a roller coaster on a launch coaster when the first launch doesn’t work or is not strong enough?
Added to the list
@@themeparktechnology2760 Thanks!
When can we expect the next video ? And what will we be seeing next ?
Hi! I'm hoping to get my next video up at the beginning of next month and will be all about roller coaster pull through tests!
me: going to turn on lofi to work with
also me: sees this and realizes it can teach me about my dream job area
me: I think this is more important and I have plenty of time