Electrical engineer required in Brisbane Australia - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: talvor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 11:01:42 pm
content: Hi all,I am looking for an electrical engineer in the Brisbane, Australia area that would be able to assist my father with a project he is working on.To give some background. My dad had an ultrasonic welding machine built in China that welds two fabrics together. Similar to how those shopping bags get welded together. Now it electronics on the machine are starting to fail and unfortunately the problems are well beyond my hobbyist skills and experience to help with.We are looking for an electrical engineer who could assist with troubleshooting and fixing ultrasonic equipment and process control stuff.Please contact me privately if you are able to assist.RegardsPhillip

author: talvor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 10:56:58 pm
content: Hi all,I just wanted to bump this thread as we are getting pretty desperate to find an electrical engineer in Brisbane Australia who could help us out. Experience with Ultrasonic is not an absolute requirement, just someone who could help out with some preliminary trouble shooting onsite and we will take it from there.Does anyone know who I could contact in Brisbane.ThanksPhillip

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 12:46:57 am
content: Maybe if you mention the pay they would come running.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 01:45:58 am
content: Or made the topic a bit more descriptive?Fixed.

author: talvor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 05:17:28 am
content: GeoffS, smashedProton,Thanks for the tips. Obviously we do expect any service provided will be paid.At this stage, I have had no contact from anyone. So either there are no Electrical Engineers in Brisbane on the forum, or they are not available to help.Looks like I will need to revert to Google and search for help from there.ThanksPhillip

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 05:53:13 am
content: Queensland is the strictest State as far as Electrical regulations are concerned,so some EEs may be a bit reluctant to apply if it is dealing with Mains equipment.I would suggest either advertise in a City Newspaper,or on one of the online recruiting sites,or go the conventional route of contacting an Electrical Contractor.The "Sparkies" may not know much about the stuff but can sub-contract an EE (or more likely a Tech) to chase up the Electronics.The advantage of the latter is that any comebacks will fall on the Electrician.It will cost "big bikkies" no matter which way you go.I assume you can't get any help from the dear old "People's Republic"!

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 06:38:04 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on February 17, 2014, 05:53:13 amRepairing a mains operated thingy, made in China that melts things for a living... What possible risks could there be

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 09:24:29 am
content: How big is the machine? (portable?)

author: talvor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 11:10:15 pm
content: Hi,From my understanding of the problem I do not think there will be any mains AC work required. The issues are isolated to the circuitry that drives the ultra sonic welders.The machine is not portable so any contractor would need to work onsite.Does anyone know of a manufacturing/process control company in Brisbane?ThanksPhillip

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 11:35:35 pm
content: Quote from: talvor on February 13, 2014, 11:01:42 pmIf its only "starting to fail", but it's still working most of the time or at lower power settings, then there's likely nothing wrong other than some old components which have drifted/aged too far out of spec.Here's my guesses- Bulging/failed electrolytic/tantalum caps on control board.- Bulging/failed electrolytic/tantalum caps in power supply- Worn out control switches, knobs or cabling which is giving intermittent contact.- Worn out ultrasonic transducer- Failed mains input filtering in the power supply which is now letting all the nearby industrial machinery noise into the system.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 11:42:04 pm
content: You could always take a couple pictures of the circuit boards and post them, as long as you don't mind a bunch of different ideas being thrown at you. Could help with finding and EE as well you never know.