Alpha Control Systems specializes in industrial automation based out of Conway, Arkansas. It was founded in 2007 by Duane Snider. Duane’s son, Matt, joined Alpha Control Systems in 2018. Since Alpha’s inception, they have been helping companies implement automation from Oregon to Pennsylvania, Wisconsin to Mexico, and hundreds of companies in between. Alpha offers control solutions, system design, electrical drawings, programming, PLC, DCS, VB, HMI, and databases to their customers.
Duane’s college education began in 1979 when he attended North Arkansas College on a basketball scholarship. He graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Engineering Studies and received an award for outstanding graduate in the field of engineering. He went on to Arkansas Tech University and wrapped up his college career in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering.
In the following 22 years after college, Duane served as a project engineer and Chief Electrical Engineer for companies based in the automation and conveyor industry in the east Arkansas/west Tennessee area. Some of his major accomplishments were:
- Developing a graphics software system in Basic using Tektronix Equipment for the Institute of Chemical Defense
- Developed the PLC program and electrical wiring and pneumatic diagrams for an explosive mixer and granulator in AR
- Hiring and managing a staff of electrical engineers
- Developed standards for PLC programming and documentation
- Developed and supervised the development of controls for conveyor systems
- Programming brick kilns
In 2007, Duane started Alpha Control Systems. His long history of skilled project management plays an important role in the business. Duane is also an expert programmer in ladder logic, and has experience with all major brands of controls hardware and software.
Matt had decided at a young age that he wanted to follow his father’s career path. He began his college carrier in 2011 at the University of Arkansas. Upon graduation, Matt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. A couple of his major contributions during his college years, were serving as the Grand Knight(President of the Council) from 2016-2017 for the Knights of Columbus based out of Fayetteville, AR, and participating in a NASA robotics competition.
After college, Matt built control panels in Fort Smith, AR before he joined Alpha Control Systems in 2018.
Matt’s strong computer skills include:
- Microsoft Office
- Drafting and Design in AutoCad
- C++ Programming
- Mat Lab (system and signals)
- Assembly Programming (Senior Design Robotics and Microprocessor)
- PLC Programming
Download Duane's book for tips, tricks, and standards on ladder logic programming.
Ladder Logic Programming Technique_29 (pdf)
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