Automation Chat

Highlights from the 2021 Automation Fair Event in Houston

In this episode of “Automation Chat” from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, Executive Editor Theresa Houck reviews highlights from the 2021 Automation Fair® event, hosted by Rockwell Automation Nov. 10-11 in Houston. Learn about the 100+ exhibits from Rockwell Automation and companies in its PartnerNetwork, the event’s hands-on labs, training sessions, industry-focused forums, and keynote presentations. Also learn about 3 trends evident from the technology on display on the show floor.

And of course, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating, and subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

Access more resources about today’s episode:

• Process Solutions User Group (PSUG) Meeting
• Automation Fair website
• The Journal’s 2021 Industry Trends & Automation Fair Directory eBook
• Video: Automation Fair Product Highlights
• The Journal’s RealWear “Automation Chat” Podcast: Listen on your favorite podcast app, on the web, or watch the chat on YouTube
• The Journal’s Claroty “Automation Chat” Podcast: Listen on your favorite podcast app, on the web, or watch our chat on YouTube
• The Journal’s October Automation Fair Directory of Exhibitors
• Sign up for e-newsletters from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork

And the #1 Episode of 2021 is… Lessons from the Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack & Steps to Take

We’re excited to re-share our top episode of 2021! This is my chat with Grant Geyer at Claroty about he Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack that happened in May.

Please follow us, and rate us and give us a review. And enjoy this #1 episode of the year!

The ransomware attack that shut down the Colonial Pipeline on May 7, 2021, is considered the most impactful cyberattack against U.S. critical infrastructure to date, but it’s not the only one. Many infrastructure and manufacturing facility cyberattacks occur that we don’t hear about.

So in this episode, host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Grant Geyer, Chief Product Officer at Claroty, a leading industrial cybersecurity firm. They examine how the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack happened, as well as how the February 2021 Oldsmar, Florida water treatment cyberattack occurred, and the far-reaching effects. Also learn about the importance of the asset operator as the first line of defense.

Also learn about the asset operator’s role as the first line of defense; how converged IT/OT networks are vital for ICS efficiency, but also increase the attack surface available — and what to do about it; the technical and organizational features of a well-thought-out cyber defense; lessons learned that are useful for every industrial firm and critical infrastructure facility. And more.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Additional resources:

• Blog: Ongoing Colonial Pipeline Attack Unprecedented Against U.S. Critical Infrastructure
• ICS Risk & Vulnerability Report, with data points pertaining to the energy sector
• Claroty website 

Best of 2021! #2: How the Oil & Gas Industry is Using Digital Technologies

As 2021 winds down, we’re re-sharing our top episodes of the year. This is my chat with Allan Rentcome at Sensia about how oil and gas companies are investing in digital automation.

Please follow us, and rate us and give us a review. Enjoy this #2 episode of 2021!

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Allan Rentcome, CEO of Sensia, the first fully integrated oilfield automation solutions provider.

They talk about how the economic downturn has affected the oil and gas industry, especially with COVID-19; how oil and gas companies are investing in digital automation; the role digital technologies will play in the next few years; how to get meaningful views into real-time production data; and more.

Video of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/jDWVTd3xF8M.

Best of 2021! #3: How Wearable Computers are Changing the Workforce

As we near the end of 2021, we’re re-sharing our top episodes of the year. This is my chat with Andrew Chrostowski at Realwear about wearable computers.

And be sure to follow us, and rate us and give us a review — it really helps, and we sincerely appreciate it. Now enjoy our #3 episode of 2021!

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Andrew Chrostowski, Chairman of the Board and CEO of RealWear. They talk about how head-mounted, hands-free wearable tablet computers are helping with workforce challenges, including the retiring workforce and increased remote workers because of pandemic, as well as efficiency and safety.  

They also talk about the role of the “connected worker,” typical applications such as maintenance and operations, and what kind of problems wearable computers are designed to help with. Also see how your work will change as wearable communications become more common, how the role of wearable computers will expand in the next few years, and more.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Additional resources:

• Video: RealWear Intrinsically Safe HMT-1Z1s with Microsoft Teams for U.S. Plant Operators
• RealWear Products
• RealWear Website
• MicroSoft Teams for RealWear

Video of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/FsrfGrcXR2E.

Best of 2021! #4: Proper Termination and Grounding of VFD Cables

As 2021 winds down, we’re re-sharing our top episodes of the year. This is my chat with my buddy Steve at Southwire about termination and grounding of VFD cables.

And be sure to follow us, and rate us and give us a review — it really helps, and we appreciate it. Now enjoy this #4 episode of 2021!

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, talks with Steve Wetzel, Senior Product Engineer with Southwire Co., about terminating and grounding variable-frequency drive (VFD) cables. Learn why cable termination is so important, why cables often are terminated incorrectly, and how to achieve proper termination. Discover the best way to terminate a VFD cable’s shield and ground wires, and how to terminate VFD cable coming into and going out of intermediate termination boxes such as quick disconnects.

And find out one concept Steve wishes all users understood about VFD cables.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Additional resources:

• Podcast: “How VFD Cable Really Affects Motor Performance” on your favorite podcast app or watch on YouTube.
• White Paper: “All About VFD Cables.”
• Southwire Company.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/0kkInWUQczg.

Proper Termination and Grounding of VFD Cables

Host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, talks with Steve Wetzel, Senior Product Engineer with Southwire Co., about terminating and grounding variable-frequency drive (VFD) cables. Learn why cable termination is so important, why cables often are terminated incorrectly, and how to achieve proper termination. Discover the best way to terminate a VFD cable’s shield and ground wires, and how to terminate VFD cable coming into and going out of intermediate termination boxes such as quick disconnects.

And find out one concept Steve wishes all users understood about VFD cables.

And of course, you get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• Podcast: “How VFD Cable Really Affects Motor Performance” on your favorite podcast app or watch on YouTube
• White Paper: “All About VFD Cables”
• Southwire Company

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating, and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/0kkInWUQczg.

Tech Spotlight: PR02 Linear Rotary Motors

In this special “Tech Spotlight” episode of Automation Chat, Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Max Davitt, Technical Support & Applications Engineer at LinMot USA, a Rockwell Automation Technology Partner.

You’ll learn about the company’s PR02 linear rotary motor, which has a new design in which the motors and components are integrated in a slim housing. Options include a magnetic spring “MagSpring,” a torque sensor and a force sensor. Common applications include capping in food & beverage or pharmaceutical industries; it’s also used in automotive, packaging and other operations.

Get more resources here:

• LinMot USA Inc.
• PR02 Stainless Steel Linear Rotary Motors

If you like “Automation Chat,” please give us a 5-star rating, and subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/35qP2zjaZQw.

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online: http://rok.auto/thejournal.

Tech Spotlight: eWON Flexy Modular M2M Router & Data Gateway

In this special “Tech Spotlight” episode of Automation Chat, host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Tom McKinney, Director, Engineering Services and Partnerships with HMS Networks, a Rockwell Automation Technology Partner.

You’ll learn about the company’s eWON Flexy, the first industrial modular machine-to-machine router and data gateway for OEMs and system integrators. Users can link remote devices and establish universal communication with a variety of field equipment, regardless of protocol used. See how to enable alarm notifications or performance monitoring through cloud KPIs dashboards. Also, discover how to start a remote service journey.

Access more resources here:

• Azure Connected Machine On-Demand Webinar
• Machine Telemetry Solutions for ThingWorx On-Demand Webinar
• HMS Networks

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating, and subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

Video of this “Tech Spotlight” episode chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/vgeU90O_rkE.

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online: http://rok.auto/thejournal.

How Digital Twins are Used for Automation Design — and Why Users Love Them

You’ve heard of digital twins, but do you really know how they work? It’s a big deal. Find out how they’re used for industrial automation design, in this chat with Chris Harduwar, Vice President of Automation with Maplesoft, and Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Also learn why designers swear by digital twins for virtual modeling because of how they streamline production and commissioning. Get examples of them at work in injection molding, food, packaging and other applications. Chris also addresses reasons some people hesitate to use digital twins. And get his insights about digital twins’ next evolution.

And of course, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Access more resources here:

• White Paper: Using Virtual Commissioning to Develop Faster, Safer Machines for Less
• Products Mentioned: MapleSim Software by Maplesoft
• Learn more about Virtual Commissioning with MapleSim and Rockwell Automation Studio 5000

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating, and subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

Video of this podcast conversation is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/NzsobIIauqo.

Tech Spotlight: SSCP Stainless Steel Linear Motors

In this special “Tech Spotlight” episode of Automation Chat, host Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, chats with Kevin Reed, Technical Support & Applications Engineer at LinMot USA, a Rockwell Automation Technology Partner.

They talk about the company’s intelligent SSCP stainless steel linear motors, designed for applications with high demands on materials and protection class, such as pharmaceutical and food & beverage. They discuss the motors’ composition and how they operate; guided options; assembly configurations; and applications for these corrosion-resistant motors.

Access more resources here:

• LinMot USA Inc.
• Stainless Steel Linear Motors SSCP
• Stainless Steel Linear Modules SM01

If you like “Automation Chat,” please leave us a 5-star rating and subscribe.

Video of this podcast chat is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/51DKUUCMg-4.

The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine online: http://rok.auto/thejournal.