The Blog is the heart and soul Mentored Engineer. Come see the hundreds of articles and videos that have shaped the minds of many young engineers.

Best Reverse Launch Backyard Roller Coaster POV: Widow’s Revenge
After months of hard work, its finished. I’ve reworked my backyard coaster the Black Widow in to the Widow’s Revenge. I designed the Black Widow to be intense and I

Tilley’s Terror Backyard Coaster PLC Controls System Update
While it may not be glamorous, programming the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and HMI (Human Machine Interface) is an integral part of the Tilley’s Terror Project. This coaster is going

Budding Engineer Builds Backyard Coaster: Green Boa
In assisting a young enthusiast with the creation of a backyard roller coaster, I provided guidance for three fundamental aspects of the project: cart construction, support structures, and basic principles

5 Ladder Logic Command You Must Know for PLC Automation
If you want to implement some automation at your business, PLCs are the way to go, but it can be super difficult to get started. Let’s dive into some basic

Purposes for a Zero Force Member In a Truss
A few months ago I commented on a post of a very impressive wooden bridge contest (LinkedIn post below). I made the comment: “Excellent use of the vertical ‘zero force

Clean Up Messy Wiring Diagrams and Schematics with Simple Ladder Logic
I’m often asked the question, “It is so difficult to troubleshoot my wiring. Corey, is there any way to clean it up?” Yes there is! Traditional wiring schematics have all
Some subjects, just need to be explained with more than words. Watch on YouTube. Same great content, but easier on the eyes.
Roller coasters have always intrigued me. The hills, turns, loops and drops leave me breathless, so I decided to design and build my own. See how I did it so you can make your own.

Ultimate Beam Calculator
Apply multiple loads to a beam and get the shear load, moment and deflection at all the critical points.

Cylinder Calculator
Calculate everything you can imagine on a cylinder: force, area, port size and buckling

Single Shear Pin Calculator
The simplest of all pinned joints, commonly used in the construction of buildings, bridges and other structures.

Hydraulic Hose Size Calculator
High back pressure? Working in cold weather? Find out how much energy you are wasting by not having the right hose size.

Double Shear Pin Calculator
Common in pivoting applications, the double shear joint eliminates moment in the axial members, making it better than single shear joints.

Pump / Motor Calculator
Need to size a hydraulic pump or motor? Enter what you know: pressure, flow, displacement, speed and torque; we'll calculate the rest.

Pin with Two loads
Many pivoting applications, like a crane pivot, are needed to withstand side moments. This calculator applies two loads on the pin.

Press Fit Calculator
Got a spherical bearing to press on a shaft? Make sure that you have enough force to install and pressure to keep it from rotating.
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Areas of Expertise
- Mobile Equipment Design
- Hydraulic Design and Troubleshooting
- Hand Calculations
- Process Automation
- 3D Modeling
- Linear FEA
- Structural Design
- 3D Printing and Prototyping