Automation Chat

Imagine using your phone to take a picture of a machine process or part, telling the software it’s not working, and the software providing suggestions and solutions for solving the problem. That’s what generative AI is doing right now. In this episode, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck discusses how Microsoft is doing this and changing the industrial metaverse. Based on a report by Cont...

In this episode of Automation Chat, written by Rockwell Automation, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck discusses how to limit access to networks, processes and intellectual property by using modern human-machine interface software with security features for user authentication, mobile use and more. And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day. Resources from this episod...

In this episode of “Automation Chat," Executive Editor Theresa Houck reviews news highlights in industrial automation and manufacturing, including cybersecurity, HMI and edge computing research reports; ODVA’s cybersecurity network extension for EtherNet/IP; the WEF’s Scope 3 emissions in manufacturing white paper; awards for manufacturing and DE&I performance; and more. As always, get your fa...

In this episode, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck discusses how to go home safely at the end of your workday by applying good electrical safety practices. Written by Fluke Corp., you’ll learn key safe work methods for using electrical testing tools, including CAT ratings, NFPA 70E, visual inspection, verifying absence of voltage and more. And as always, get your family-friendly, silly...

The renewable energy sector is leading the global energy transition away from fossil fuels. To keep up with this explosive growth in demand, renewable energy manufacturers must modernize operations to increase reliability, efficiency and their ability to scale quickly — all without sacrificing product quality. In this episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck talks with Craig Blondin, Industry Sales...

In this episode, written by Reid Schook, President of CoreTigo Inc., Executive Editor Theresa Houck discusses what the IO-Link Wireless standard is, and how it helps optimize production to operate with reduced manual operations and changeovers and increased throughput. And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day. Resources from the episode: Read the article online, “ How IO-Link...

In this episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck explains how the Panama Canal became horribly backed up with freighters, and its profound effects on the global supply chain. This is a follow-up to last week’s episode (Jan. 29, 2024) about trends & strategies to mitigate supply chain disruptions. As always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day. Resources: “Automation Chat” Podcast Ja...

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence. In this episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck highlights 11 key trends and strategies industrial firms are using to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Then she interviews Steve Riordan, Global Director, Consulting & Supply Chain Capability at Kalypso, A Rockwell Automation Business. They talk ab...

The ability to replace human organs could be more impactful on humanity than cell phones — and it’s happening now. In this “In Case You Missed It” episode, we bring the written word to life by reading an article from The Journal. Executive Editor Theresa Houck reads story, “A Look Inside a Ground-Breaking Human Tissue Foundry.” It’s written by Mike Bacidore, Editor in Chief of our sister publicati...

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence. In this brief episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck tells you what topics we’re covering in the next issue of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine — our February print magazine that mails Feb. 20. Learn about upcoming stories on: Smart machines & modern human-machi...

This is another episode in our regular series “In Case You Missed It,” where we bring the written word to life by reading an outstanding article from The Journal. In this episode, Josh Heath, Endress+Hauser USA’s Content Marketing Specialist, reads the article, “Understand the Pressure Effect on Coriolis Flowmeters.” The article is written by Victor Rojas, Coriolis Product Manager at Endress+Hause...

Enjoy this encore presentation of our #1 most popular episode of 2023! Learn how to use a repeatable, step-by-step process called DCSNext to migrate legacy systems to modern distributed control systems. Executive Editor Theresa Houck chats with Nick Kristan, Process Solutions Manager, and Scott Hayes, DCSNext Portfolio Manager, at Rockwell Automation. Also learn about the Front-End Loading (FEL) f...

Edge computing revolutionizes manufacturing operations for enhanced efficiency and continuous improvement. In this episode, guest moderator & Managing Editor Amanda Joshi talks with Stratus Technologies’ Andrew Hinz and Conperio Technology’s Ron Harrison about how edge computing supports Plex Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions by reducing downtime and improving real-time data proce...

Enjoy this encore presentation of our 2nd most popular episode of 2023! This is from our “In Case You Missed It” series, where we bring the written word to life by reading a great article from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine. Executive Editor Theresa Houck reads, “How to Control an Electric Motor During a Network Failure.” Learn why programming in the appropria...

Enjoy this encore presentation of our #3 top episode of 2023! Executive Editor Theresa Houck chats with Jason Pennington, Director of Digital Solutions at Endress+Hauser, about trends affecting the increasing demand for digital transformation in process automation. Learn about some of the downsides when manufacturing leaders don’t use digital tools; advancements and unique practices in process ins...

This is another episode in our “In Case You Missed It” series, where we bring the written word to life by reading an article from The Journal. Executive Editor Theresa Houck reads the case study, “How an Ethanol Producer Increased Capacity by 12%.” Learn how predictive analytics help optimize a closed-loop dryer process so the ethanol producer can meet market demand while reducing energy use and c...

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence. This week, Executive Editor Theresa Houck and The Journal’s “Automation Chat" team is taking a break for the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. We hope our friends inside and outside the U.S. get to enjoy some great time off. Resources: Subscribe to The Journal’s 4 print magazines (Feb., May, July and Oc...

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence. In this brief episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck tells you what we’re covering in our December digital edition of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, which launches Dec. 14. Learn about how to optimize gas processing and facility throughput, key industrial automat...

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence. This is another episode in our series “In Case You Missed It,” where we bring the written word to life by reading an article from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine. Executive Editor Theresa Houck reads, “How Industrial Private 5G Enables Digital Transformation.” Testi...

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence. In this episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck talks with Michael Crepps, Product Application Specialist at Fluke Corp., about Fluke’s 4th Annual Electrical Safety Survey results identifying trends in how electrical workers feel about workplace safety-related topics. Learn about key takeaways, includ...

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence. This is another episode in our series “In Case You Missed It,” where Executive Editor Theresa Houck brings the written word to life by reading an article from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine. She reads, “See Your Modernization Project’s Big Picture.” Learn how Indus...

** 2 Consecutive Awards for Best Podcast, 2022 & 2023 APEX Awards of Publication Excellence. In this brief episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck tells you what we’re covering in our November digital edition of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, which launches Nov. 4. Learn about our story on how to enhance continuous improvement in the areas of safety, sust...

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence. In this episode, The Journal's Executive Editor Theresa Houck chats with Dennis Nash, President & CEO of Control Station, about manufacturing process control and PID tuning. You'll learn: What role the PID tuning plays in process manufacturing, and how advances in automation infrastructure have af...

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence. This is another episode in our series “In Case You Missed It,” where Executive Editor Theresa Houck brings the written word to life by reading a great article from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine. In this episode, Theresa reads, “Tips for Conducting an Annual Locko...

** Named Best Podcast 2 Consecutive Years! 2022 & 2023 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence. A VFD cable is a three-phase cable with integrated grounds and a shield. But why can't you just use individual conductors like THHN or THWN and place them in conduit instead of using a VFD cable? Executive Editor Theresa Houck chats with Steve Wetzel, Senior Product Engineer at Southwire Co., about wh...