In this episode of “Automation Chat” from The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine, Executive Editor Theresa Houck discusses the gray market — products sold legally, but outside of the brand's permission. This isn’t an issue limited to just Rockwell Automation; it applies to all industrial automation suppliers.

What’s the difference between an Authorized Distributor and the gray market? Are counterfeit products really a big problem? And how can you tell if a product is counterfeit — or can you? What’s the harm in buying refurbished or used parts and equipment from an “unauthorized” source?

Theresa chats with Ryan Smaglik, Head of Revenue and Brand Protection at Rockwell Automation. He’s well-versed on what’s happening in the gray market, the risks of acquiring products through an unsecured supply chain, the ramifications those products can have for users, and examples of bad experiences customers have had. You’ll find his insights to be eye-opening.

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 from today’s episode:

• Allen-Bradley® Authorized Distributors.

Video of this special podcast conversation is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/zoCjff3LbCo.

We’re thrilled to bring you this EXCLUSIVE interview with Gina Ayala Claxton, the new President for the Americas Region at Rockwell Automation, who just started in January. She chats with Theresa Houck, Executive Editor of The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Part of Gina’s new role is to help make the customer experience easier. Find out what this means for current and future customers. She also explains why building high-performance teams requires diversity not only in race, gender and other traditional ways, but in thought. And learn what it means to her to be the first Latina President for the Americas, and how she plans to continue her advocacy for equality and inclusion.  

They also chat about the unique relationship of Rockwell Automation, its Authorized Allen-Bradley® Distributors, and companies in the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™ program for delivering products to customers.

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

Get more resources here:

• Rockwell Automation Press Release about Gina Ayala Claxton’s Appointment

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 special podcast conversation is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/VAtgdxGIkLw.

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

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:

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.