Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered

What is the Advantage of Combining Vision and Control Technologies?

In this episode, we connect with Daymon Thompson, automation product manager for Beckhoff USA, to learn more about the trends around combining previously separate automation functions into one system for ease of access and use. We explore this topic broadly and focus specifically on the integration of vision and machine control.

What Factors Are Influencing Automation Technology Today?

In this episode, we connect with Justin Kolbe of Henkel to learn how economic and technology factors are affecting the development and use of industrial automation technologies today.

Beginning the Digital Transformation Process

In this episode, we connect with Bill Pollock, CEO of Optimation (a system integration company), to explore how industrial companies are moving forward with their digital transformations. We discuss how to assess current operations, avoid common mistakes, and apply metrics to measure the level of your plan's success.  

What is Industrial Single Pair Ethernet?

In this episode of the “Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered” podcast series, we connect with McKenzie Reed of Harting to learn about one of the more important recent advances in industrial communications technology—Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). During our discussion with Reed, he explains the difference between SPE and standard industrial Ethernet, SPE’s speed and distance capabilities, SPE’s ability to deliver power and data, the move to standardize SPE and how it works with industrial Ethernet protocols, the benefits SPE brings to end users, and the availability of SPE products.

What Affect Does Automation Have on Supply Chain Management?

In this episode, we connect with Matt Ruth, president of Avanceon (a system integration and engineering services company) to learn about the connections between supply chain operations and automation technologies, ranging from analytics and MES to HMI and SCADA software.

How Much Cybersecurity Do I Really Need?

In this episode, we connect with Brandon Bohle of Interstates Control Systems to discuss industrial control system cybersecurity requirements in light of the increasing use of remote connections in response to COVID-19 as well as general cybersecurity best practices moving forward. 

Can Robots Help Restore Manufacturing During the Pandemic?

In this episode, we connect with Joe Campbell of Universal Robots to learn how manufacturers are deploying collaborative robots to help with social distancing, line reconfiguration, and production flexibility.

COVID-19’s Impact on Industrial Automation

In this episode, we connect with Dan Malyszko of Malisko Engineering to get insights from the front lines of manufacturing about how industry is responding to the production challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.

Does OEE Have A Role in the Digital Transformation?

In this episode of the "Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered" podcast series, we connect with Sam Russem of system integration company Grantek to get a better understanding of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics, how it's applied, and its impact on the digital transformation of industry.

How Can Vision Systems Be Used to Inspect Solids and Liquids?

In this episode, we connect with Fernando Callejon and Felix Klebe of Omron to explore vision system selection factors, how to justify vision system investments, the types of industrial applications they're most suited for, and how the technology can be used to inspect liquids and solids on the production line.