John Jacobs V

Systems Application Engineer

Kollmorgen

09.2022 - Current

Supported efforts in developing an OSP stepper drive, in which I had the opportunity to work with international suppliers
During this time, I developed a 3-day course to train internal team members as well as sales and distributors
I also caught a critical error in the FOC algorithm of the closed loop function, which would have lost considerable business if not caught
Technical lead for China Kollmorgen Application Engineering team in a project whose goal was to go after a $17 million dollar industry with a heavy focus on gantry controlled, high speed, high acceleration, high accuracy, and quick settling time applications such as semiconductor, battery, and other high-tech manufactures
During this time, the gantry control algorithm was thought to be 'lacking' to meet these applications' demanding motion profile
I was given the task to see if we could get a gantry system to settle within a time that exceeds our controller's bandwidth
I was successful in demonstrating how these requirements could be met with our current gantry control algorithm
I conducted training for the China team, so they had the confidence to tackle these applications
The project has been a success with multiple customer wins in 2024
Authored and published technical Application Documents and White Papers on the Kollmorgen website regarding Secondary Feedback Control, Sensorless FOC, as well as a Tuning Guide for High Precision and Quick Settling Gantry Systems
I have also been chosen as an editor for papers to be published in Design World
Worked with team members to develop my skills in various PLC communication protocols including EtherCAT, Modbus, and Ethernet/IP
Since Kollmorgen has an EtherCAT master (PCMM) I have become proficient in programming through our KAS Integrated Developer Environment using mainly FFLD and ST formats
I have successfully assisted customers across multiple Fieldbus networks in their setup using our drive as a slave in their Fieldbus network
Conducted multiple webinars to teach internal team members, distributors, and customers technical concepts
Webinar topics ranged from 'Motion 101: Foundations of Electric Motion' to 'Increase Your Machine's Accuracy and Reliability with Secondary Feedback'
A personal project has been to learn Simulink/MATLAB to create my own control algorithms through MechaWare
Currently prototyping a yaw control algorithm to reduce yaw in rigidly coupled gantry systems, which will ultimately reduce disturbances in the system making manual tuning easier for the user
Assist with RMA product and help customers who require higher level troubleshooting help
Manage lab space and lead/assist with projects that take place in the lab