elliTek's Automation Know-How

Send us Fan Mail Getting Started with Industrial IoT? In this kickoff episode, Brandon Ellis and Beth Elliott break down the latest in industrial automation, featuring WERMA’s WeASSIST . Learn how e lliTek’s solutions-based approach and this plug-and-play tech make it easy to get started with Industrial IoT , Andon systems , and real-time monitoring . They also cover key topics like mesh networkin...

Send us Fan Mail elliTek's Automation Know-How is a quarterly podcast that takes you beyond the buzzwords to explore how real automation solutions are applied in real manufacturing environments. Hosted by Brandon Ellis , owner of elliTek and automation expert, each episode dives into the practical side of industrial automation — from hardware and software to integration strategies and IIoT —...

Send us Fan Mail 🎉 Celebrating 50 Episodes! Exciting Changes and Plans for 2025 In this milestone 50th episode of "Industrial Automation - It Doesn't Have To..." , Brandon Ellis and Beth Elliott take you on a journey through the podcast's most memorable moments while unveiling big plans for the future! 🎙️ Here’s what you’ll discover in this special episode: Top 3 Episodes Revi...

Send us Fan Mail What if automation didn't have to cost a fortune? Moritz Garroz from Elite Robots joins us to explore the future of industrial automation and collaborative robots (cobots). With a background in telecommunications and satellite technology, Moritz shares his unique journey into the robotics industry, revealing how Elite Robots is breaking down financial barriers to make automat...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Welcome to the latest episode of "Industrial Automation - It Doesn't Have To..."! In this riveting conversation, join host Brandon Ellis and co-host Beth Elliott alongside special guest Bob Meads as they dive deep into the world of industrial automation solutions from Siemens . 🤖 Get ready to explore the WinCC product line, where Bob provides a comprehensive ove...

Send us Fan Mail Bridging the Gap: Cybersecurity and Networking in Industrial Automation In this episode of "Industrial Automation - It Doesn't Have To...", we delve into the critical intersection of cybersecurity and networking, essential components in today's industrial landscape.🛡️ Who better to navigate this complex terrain than Siemens' Industrial Network Consultant f...

Send us Fan Mail Cut through the buzzwords and sales-type fodder in this episode of "Industrial Automation - It Doesn't Have To." Host Brandon Ellis and co-host Beth Elliott are joined by Siemens Digital Industries' expert, Matt Wagner , for an exciting discussion on the game-changing third-generation Siemens drives, highlighting the G220 VFD and S200 servo.🚀 This episode isn&...

Send us Fan Mail In celebration of National Robotics🤖 Week, we had the pleasure of interviewing Joseph Collett , media lead with Red Nation Robotics Team 4576. Joseph describes what sparked his interest in robotics and the Red Nation Robotics (RNR) team. Joseph walks us through a FIRST Robotics competition match. It's really fun & you don't want to miss it! You'll learn how the...

Send us Fan Mail Let's get a grip on automation and get moving. That's what we're talking about in today's episode. elliTek is excited to announce our new automation partner - SCHUNK . SCHUNK is known for its unique gripping technology. As Brandon says, SCHUNK takes the cake for how hard you can grip something. What some folks, at least in the U.S., don't know SCHUNK also...

Send us Fan Mail This is an interesting episode that was initiated by a listener's request. If you're thinking of starting your own business, Brandon has been down that road and shares his words of wisdom. If you've listened to any of elliTek's podcasts, you know that Brandon will have a different twist on the topic.  So, the other side of the coin is addressed to Managers and...

Send us Fan Mail We're looking back so we can move forward. Every year predictions are made. During this episode, we review the 2022 major predicted challenges affecting manufacturing, but we don't stop there. You'll hear actionable solutions that elliTek's engineers have put in place, as well as solutions our partners offer. The partners highlighted in this episode include: Li...

Send us Fan Mail We've all done it... bought a product that didn't meet our expectations. Were we sold a bill of goods, or did we hear what we wanted to hear? That has been the case with many industrial IoT systems, which doesn't sit well with Brandon. Because the only reason to have an IoT system is to make educated business decisions. If you're confused by all the marketing t...

Send us Fan Mail We 💙 automation, but you can't take the human element out of it. The quality of any automated system at the plant floor level is usually made evident through the design of the human machine interface or HMI. HMIs provide a means for the machine and the human to interact - to converse. It is the very conduit by which a human can influence the machine. These systems range from...

Send us Fan Mail From Mars🚀 to your facility -- hear how manufacturers can utilize Siemens's innovative, NASA-type technology to manage the painful issues that we have been going through the past couple of years. Joining us in this episode are three guests from Siemens Drives Group to explain Siemens Drives technology from an interstellar perspective down to the local level, so it doesn&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready for some GOOD news?!?  Unless you've had your head in the sand, you've heard of elliTek's new Automation Partner, so this company shouldn't be unfamiliar to you. Over the past many months, we have been working closely with a fantastic company.  It's a huge, behemoth company.  It's the largest industrial manufacturing company globally and...

Send us Fan Mail Everyone is searching for ways to reduce costs and in manufacturing, automation is typically the answer.  But some of the parts needed to automate aren't available?  What do you do?    Join us as we talk about some practical automation alternatives that may not be obvious.    If you're wondering WHY the automotive industry is struggling, Brandon provides some context to...

Send us Fan Mail Are we getting ready to undergo a new Industrial Revolution or are we already in it? There are many definitions of Industry 5.0.  Is it combining human creative and critical thinking with the speed and skill of automation?  Is it prioritizing "the wellbeing of the worker?"  Is it a wasteless world?  Or, is Industry 5.0 a combination of these? For someone whose been in in...

Send us Fan Mail The increasing costs of raw materials, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and cybersecurity are the top business challenges facing manufacturers.  How can we overcome these obstacles and prepare for future crises? During this episode, you'll hear our perspective on what's going on in the world today and how manufacturers can build a business that's as future...

Send us Fan Mail With prices rising across the board and historically high inflation rates, how can manufacturers battle inflation? In this episode, we're talking  about ways manufacturers can shorten their ROI by getting more bang for their buck. Before we delve into the topic, Brandon quizzes Beth on Fieldbus Protocols discussed in the previous episode and why it's important to know th...

Send us Fan Mail It's Season 4 Episode 1 of Industrial Automation - It Doesn't Have To. 🎉🎉🎉 If you're new to Industrial Protocols , you need to check out this episode. During the offseason, elliTek signed with a new automation partner, CKD .  CKD provides both Electric and Pneumatic Solutions. Not only does CKD produce high-quality, long lasting products, but elliTek's engin...

Send us Fan Mail With cases of cyber-crime occurring at an alarming rate, industrial manufacturing is caught in the crosshairs. What steps should you take to protect your systems? We talk to an industry insider, Keith Moore.  Keith has spent the last fourteen years in industrial IoT device development and has immense knowledge of internet protocols and their weaknesses. Before Keith joins the show...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes your biggest pain point isn't your biggest problem. There are some processes that you may or may not want to automate. Come with us as we explore those processes. Brandon shares his perspectives, Brandspectives, on the types of industrial automation. He explains his two categories of automation, process automation and discrete automation, and why they matter. You&ap...

Send us Fan Mail It's almost Thanksgiving here in the United States, and we have so much to be thankful for! Join us as we reflect on past guests and episodes for which we are grateful.  If you haven't had the opportunity to listen to elliTek's podcasts, this is a rundown of a few of our favorites. We had the opportunity to do a crossover podcast with Lisa Richter of CSIA 's Ta...

Send us Fan Mail This is an issue of Global Proportions! We're talking about the supply chain crisis. From aluminum to semiconductor chip shortages, the lack of essential materials is affecting just about everyone and nearly all levels of production. Why is there a chip set crisis, aka Chipageddon?  How long will Chipageddon last? Is there a fix for manufacturers? Tesla's sales are throu...

Send us Fan Mail Today's topic is definitely not boring! The sparks are flying as we delve into the world of robotic welding.🤖🔥 Why would you use a robot to weld instead of a person? That's were Brandon's Brandoloy for the four reasons to automate come into play. Quality / Consistency Decrease Cycle Time / Increase Production Reclassification of Labor Flexibility / Quick Setup Lis...