Silver Lake Automation

09/29/2026

𝟏𝟕 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭: 𝐔𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗 𝐯𝐬. 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲)

In 2009, Silver Lake trusted us to build their original control panel. Seventeen years later, we’re back on site—upgrading that exact same system for the future.

While our logo and technology have evolved since 2009, one thing hasn't changed: our commitment to delivering rock-solid quality that stands the test of time.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 That Last: What it really means when a customer relies on you for nearly two decades. In industrial automation, hardware and software will naturally age out, but true partnerships only strengthen.

When a client calls you back 17 years later to handle their next generation of hardware and controls, it’s the ultimate validation that quality, precision, and reliable support never go out of style.
A massive thank you to our customers for their partnership and trust. And thank you to the team at Silver Lake for their continued dedication to quality over the last 17+ years!

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒
Looking for custom control panel design, system integration, or legacy control upgrades built to last?
Contact our engineering team today to discuss your next project.

🌐 Website: www.SilverLakeAutomation.com
📧 Email / Contact: [email protected]

09/25/2026

Small detail. Big difference.
When equipment goes down, every minute matters. That’s why properly labeled wires in a control panel are more important than they may seem.
Clear, accurate wire labels help technicians:
· Identify circuits faster
· Troubleshoot problems more efficiently
· Reduce downtime
· Follow schematics with confidence
· Make repairs and modifications easier
· Keep future maintenance from becoming a guessing game
A well-built control panel isn’t just about what’s inside — it’s about making sure the next person can understand it when they need to.
Good labeling today can save hours of troubleshooting tomorrow.
At Silver Lake Automation, we believe the details matter — because when your equipment is down, there’s no time to play “Where does this wire go?”

09/25/2026

Your PLC might be one of the most important pieces of equipment in your plant—and you may never actually see it running.
So, what does a PLC actually do?
Think of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as the brain of an automated machine or production process. Think of Inputs as your eyes, ears and touch. Think of Outputs as your arms and legs.
It continuously:
➡️ Receives information from sensors, switches, encoders, and other devices.
➡️ Makes decisions based on the programmed logic.
➡️ Sends commands to motors, valves, cylinders, VFDs, robots, conveyors, and other equipment.
➡️ Monitors the process to make sure everything is operating as it should.
➡️ Responds to problems by generating alarms, stopping equipment, or taking corrective action.
For a plant manager, that translates into something much more important:
PRODUCTION.
A properly programmed and maintained PLC can help your operation:
• Reduce unplanned downtime
• Improve machine reliability
• Increase production efficiency
• Automate repetitive processes
• Improve operator safety
• Provide valuable production data
• Make troubleshooting faster
• Integrate newer equipment with existing machinery
And when something goes wrong, the PLC can often tell you where the problem started—if the system is properly programmed, documented, and maintained.
That's why PLC programming and troubleshooting aren't just technical services.
They're an important part of keeping your plant running.
At Silver Lake Automation, we've spent over 20 years working with industrial control systems, from troubleshooting existing PLCs to programming new systems and upgrading outdated controls.
Your PLC is the brain.
Your production line is the body.
And when the brain isn't communicating correctly, everything can come to a stop.
Don't wait until the line is down to find out how healthy your control system really is.

09/25/2026

20 Years of Industrial Controls: A Lot Has Changed.
When Silver Lake Automation started 20 years ago, industrial control systems looked very different.
🕹️ Then: Large PLC racks, miles of control wiring, basic HMIs, and limited connectivity.
💻 Today: Compact and powerful PLCs, advanced HMIs, networked systems, remote diagnostics, data collection, SCADA, robotics, and smart automation.
What hasn't changed:
🧰 The need for reliable control systems that keep production moving.
🗝️ The quality and commitment that we put into every job.
Over the past 20 years, we've seen technology evolve from traditional relay logic and early PLC systems to highly integrated automation platforms capable of communicating across an entire facility.
We've worked on the old systems.
We've installed the new systems.
And we've helped customers bridge the gap between the two.
Because upgrading industrial controls isn't always about replacing everything. Sometimes it's about knowing what needs to change, what can stay, and how to make the entire system work better.
From PLC programming and troubleshooting to HMI, SCADA, VFDs, control panels, and complete control system upgrades, Silver Lake Automation has been helping industry keep up with technology for 20 years.
20 years of experience.
20 years of changes.
20 years of keeping industry moving.
And we're still building what's next.

09/23/2026

⚡ When Equipment Goes Down, Current Schematics Matter.
Every minute of unplanned downtime can mean lost production, missed deadlines, and unnecessary costs.
When troubleshooting begins, one of the first questions should be:
“Do we have an accurate, up-to-date schematic?”
Outdated electrical drawings can lead technicians to components that no longer exist, incorrect wiring information, and valuable time spent trying to understand changes that were made years ago.
Current schematics help your maintenance team:
✔️ Troubleshoot problems faster
✔️ Identify components and wiring accurately
✔️ Reduce unnecessary downtime
✔️ Make future modifications safer and easier
✔️ Preserve critical equipment knowledge—even when experienced employees leave
Your equipment may have changed over the years. Your documentation should change with it.
Don’t wait until a machine is down to discover that the drawings no longer match the equipment.
📞 Keep your schematics current. Keep your downtime under control.

09/23/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗜𝗦𝗡'𝗧 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗠 — 𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗟 𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗦.
• Do you have drawings?
• Can maintenance troubleshoot it?
• Can you still buy the PLC?
• Are replacement drives actually in stock?
And most importantly…
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
Silver Lake Automation can evaluate your existing controls, identify obsolete components, update drawings, recommend critical spares, and engineer a modernization plan before the breakdown dictates the schedule.
Modern controls aren't about making the panel prettier. They're about making the plant maintainable.

09/23/2026

Greatly appreciate the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority Support. Looking forward to the next 20 Years!!! 🦾

20 years of innovation, growth and calling Effingham County home! 🎉

Silver Lake Automation is celebrating 20 years in business, a milestone that started with founder Rob Lanham building and repairing control panels from his garage in Rincon in 2006.

Today, Silver Lake Automation serves companies here at home and across the country, helping bring automation projects from concept to completion while continuing to invest in new technology and local talent. And through every stage of growth, Rob and the Silver Lake team have remained deeply invested in the Effingham community they call home.

We’re proud to celebrate 20 years of this homegrown success story. Congratulations to Rob and the entire Silver Lake Automation team! 👏

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Today we honor the brave men and women who gave everything for our freedom.
Not just soldiers… but sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, friends, and heroes.

Because of their sacrifice, we live free.
Because they stood strong, America still stands.
Take a moment today to remember the fallen, honor their families, and never forget the cost of liberty.

“Freedom is never free.”

02/18/2026

𝐏͟𝐫͟𝐨͟𝐜͟𝐞͟𝐬͟𝐬͟𝐞͟𝐬͟ 𝐚͟𝐧͟𝐝͟ 𝐬͟𝐲͟𝐬͟𝐭͟𝐞͟𝐦͟𝐬͟ 𝐞͟𝐱͟𝐢͟𝐬͟𝐭͟ 𝐟͟𝐨͟𝐫͟ 𝐨͟𝐧͟𝐞͟ 𝐫͟𝐞͟𝐚͟𝐬͟𝐨͟𝐧͟:͟

𝐓͟𝐨͟ 𝐦͟𝐚͟𝐤͟𝐞͟ 𝐰͟𝐨͟𝐫͟𝐤͟ 𝐬͟𝐚͟𝐟͟𝐞͟𝐫͟,͟ 𝐟͟𝐚͟𝐬͟𝐭͟𝐞͟𝐫͟,͟ 𝐚͟𝐧͟𝐝͟ 𝐦͟𝐨͟𝐫͟𝐞͟ 𝐩͟𝐫͟𝐞͟𝐝͟𝐢͟𝐜͟𝐭͟𝐚͟𝐛͟𝐥͟𝐞͟.͟

At their best, they:

✅ Protect people

✅ Improve flow

✅ Create consistency

✅ Reduce waste

✅ Increase efficiency

That’s the 𝘄𝗵𝘆.

But systems fail when they’re designed without operator reality in mind.

When safety becomes so rigid it creates unsafe workarounds.

When security becomes so complex employees bypass it.

When approvals drag so long decisions move into the shadows.

When good people have to work around your system to get their job done that’s not a people problem. - It’s a design problem.

Leadership isn’t about adding more rules. It’s about building systems that actually function in the real world.

The goal isn’t more control. - The goal is intelligent design.

If your team has to go around the process to succeed, - it’s time to redesign the process.

Design for reality. Not theory.

01/06/2026