EECO Asks Why Podcast

Scott McNeil is one of the most passionate people in industry and his love for what he does comes out in everything he does.  In this hero conversation Scott takes us back to where it all began when he jumped into the wireless game 16 years ago.  He served some time in his local school district and even supported a community college.  Since joining GPA he's ad the opportunity to service the industrial market and he's loving every minute. 

Scott speaks to the opportunities that exist in the industrial sector and how projects at manufacturing plants such as BMW to efforts at pulp and paper producers create unique and fun challenges for wireless solutions.   As "The Industrial WiFi Guy" he's building a community to help people learn more about these solutions and for those that follow him on LinkedIn you'll quickly see how much of an advocate and support Scott is for others along their wireless journeys.

Scott is a big supporter of autism awareness and has a son that drives him to educate others about autism and his social media activity highlights how Scott is addressing this head on. He's also a huge water guy and has an annual Disney trip always on the books.  This is such a fun conversation from an industry hero!  Do like Scott does - grab a cold beverage of choice, sit back and enjoy the tale of the Industrial Wi-Fi Guy!

Guest: Scott McNeil - Industrial Network and Security Architect II at GPA

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

Global Process Automation (GPA)

The Industrial WiFi Shop

What an amazing season of EECO Asks Why.  With 12 idea and 11 hero episodes there was so much to unpack.  Special thanks to all the guests who made it special.

In this recap Chris walks through what he remembers the most and gives a sneak peak into what's coming down the line.   Get ready for our Holiday's with the Heroes in season six. 

Chris also introduces the newest member of his crew to the EECO Asks Why audience and opens up about some of the areas that's keeping him busy.

Thank you for listening and remember to keep asking why! 

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

For those that never had to convert an across the line starter to a Variable Frequency Drive this is the episode for you!  Mike Rathbun is an expert in this area and he unpacks items to consider before making this conversion.  There are many reasons why an application would benefit from a VFD and the most prominent are when a variable speed requirement could improve operations.  There are also end users that want to focus on energy efficiency and this could yield great results. 

Mike gets tactical and covers some of the potential headwind areas when doing these conversions.  Items such as heat dissipation and harmonics are areas that can not be ignored in these projects.  There also exists a phenomenon called fluting that users should be aware of.  We are not talking about the instrument in every high school band either.  Fluting can create serious havoc on electric motors and understanding how to mitigate this can have a significant impact on future reliability of the electric motors in service.

Additional componentry such as reactors and breaking resistors are explained as these are items that can increase efficiency and improve the overall circuit performance when engineered correctly.  Mike gives outstanding practical guidance on how to take a VFD conversion and he ended the conversation by reiterating the importance of establishing great partnerships with those you trust to make projects like these a success! 

Guest: Mike Rathbun - Power & Control Solution Architecture Manager @ EECO

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

We're going international and had the awesome opportunity to talk with Nataliya Kilmovskikh and hear her amazing journey.  She lives in Denmark and has traveled the world throughout her career.  Nataliya wasn't always on the automation track and was teaching English in China several years ago.  Her fire for automation started burning when she was introduced to industrial robots and knew that was the future she wanted.  Hearing how she made her education choice was insightful and the way the curriculum is taught in Denmark is a concept that may resonate with others.

Her perception to the industry as a whole is refreshing.  She openly talks about the many different paths that any person can make for themselves. For her she wants the next generation to know the possibilities that exists and how learning basic concepts such as PLC programming or HMI design can be the exposure you need for your career to take off.

For those LEGO fans once you hear her story of how she took a LEGO Mindstorm robot and created content around a problem she was trying to solve. That led to a connection on LinkedIn who offered her an internship to design a collaborative robot cell tied directly to automating a manufacturing process in a factory.  Talk about ultimate touchdown!

Nataliya shares about some of her interests outside of automation such as her love of being on the water.  She's had some great experiences on kayaks and paddle boards where she has encountered dolphins and seals.  Throughout this episode you'll quickly hear Nataliya's passion for life and why she is our Hero! 

Guest: Nataliya Klimovskikh - Automation Engineer at ATLINE

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

Nataliya's Robot Hand Sanitizer Video

Instagram - @nataliyachronics 

Buckle up and hang on as Mary Bruce Clemons unpacks the topic of STEAM in this idea conversation. Many will remember Mary from her hero episode where she journeyed from Harley sales to engineering and for those that missed it you'll quickly pick up on her passion for industry.  Many are familiar with STEM initiatives and Mary explains how the "A" (which is where arts are introduced) is where true connection can be made with so many young minds.

She breaks down how modern medicine would not be what it is today without the focus on arts and how doctors communicate visually to solve the most complex problems.  As far as when to start concentrating efforts with the next generation she suggests that around eight years old is a great age to begin introducing these concepts.  At that age they can handle critical thought and problem solving and most importantly their egos won't hold them back from embracing these areas and growing individually.

Mary explains how she's been involved with STEAM Day and the impact that it made on the kids and the community.  From K-12 thousands of kids came together to learn about many of the areas of STEAM and who knows the future paths that were paved.  It's about getting hands on and bringing the concepts to life and with the right support and focus events like these make a tremendous impact.

Grab your kids and listen to this fun filled conversation that could change their life.

Guest: Mary Bruce Clemons - Industrial Controls Technician at TW Controls

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

TW Controls

STEAM initiatives:

Steam Day: 

https://eng.vt.edu/steam-day-2020.html

Local education institutions contribute content and engagement to a wide range of regional youth k-12 via an annual trade show and interactive experience in Roanoke, Virginia. Hosted by Virginia Polytechnic Institute at the Science Museum of Western Virginia, Taubman Fine Art Museum, and the Virginia Transportation Museum. 

 Virginia Education Strategies: 

https://virginiaedstrategies.org/

Grant writing agency dedicated to connecting education and industry by navigating educational and manufacturing institutions.

Mini Maker Faire: 

https://roanoke.makerfaire.com/

https://makerfaire.com/makerfairehistory/

“Maker Faire” is a global brand that local areas can work under as a wagon wheel initiative brand. These events are held locally and are built by their communities to connect with children to increase industry in the long term.

STEAM Academies in SWVA:

Science Museum of Western Virginia:
https://smwv.org/

Vector Space:
https://vector-space.org/

Habitat for Humanity:
https://www.habitat.org/

Podcasts:

Ologies with Alie Ward:
https://www.alieward.com/ologies

Box of Oddities:
https://www.theboxofoddities.co

Brian Garland is a hero of industry and he unpacks his amazing journey from his childhood in the coal mines of Western Pennsylvania to the steel mills that he worked in starting at 17 years old all the way through to shop ownership and machining.  At the center of his career adventures was his passion to help others and that comes out with every story Brian shares.  He walks through a key headwind for industry and that is attracting the next generation which is critical to this countries success.  He shares some of the improvements he's seen in the machining industry and how employers are stepping up their games to highlight the wonderful opportunities that exist.

His advice for those evaluating their careers is spot on.  Go and ask others about what they do, why the love it and how can you get started. While it sounds simple too often people shy away from these conversations and Brian see's this as a great opportunity to learn about industries and about yourself. 

Brian shares about his family and what he enjoys doing for fun.  He's married to a wonderful wife and has 3 children plus a five year old grandson that are the center of his world.  Brian is also our first ever Opera fan as you'll hear in the lightning fan.  He finishes up with his personal why which centers around helping others.  You'll quickly hear through this conversation how Brian's heart for helping people has lead him throughout his career and he is our hero!

Guest: Brian Garland - Machine Shop Manager at Magic Leap

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) play a key role in the evolution of manufacturing.  Mayuri Dahibhate is a MES engineer and is on the front lines of developing these systems to make industries more reliable and increase overall equipment efficiency.  The MES system is a middle layer between the enterprise planning solution and actual floor operations.  These systems transfer data to monitor KPI's for key production goals which leads to better decisions in the moment for end users. 

Mayuri explains that many manufacturers still utilize manual paperwork systems which can yield subpar results and is not actionable in real time.  In a manual process the opportunity for errors increase and often times the frequency of data collection is not conducive for impactful process adjustments.  Where as the future of MES gives end users the ability to access the critical data points in their systems continually and the decision making process happens in real time based off direct feedback. 

An interesting data point is that for facilities that have a MES system in play 80% of the users in that facility will use it in their daily work.  Talk about ultimate connectivity and building a culture around results.  This impacts everyone from operations, maintenance, quality, management, etc...  Mayuri sums up the power of MES systems by highlighting the ease of implementation and the impact it can make to the bottom line.  As industries get more competitive every edge can be an advantage.  MES systems can provide manufacturers with the insight and decision making capability to move the needle and be the leader in their space.

Guest: Mayuri Dahibhate - MES Engineer at E-Technologies Group

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

Travel Blog
Pinterest
Instagram

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Good Vibes, Good Life
The Magic of Thinking Big

Talk about an industrial SUPER HERO in this episode we get the behind the scenes look at what led Jake Hall to create the Manufacturing Millennial and how he's impacted people all over the world by opening their eyes to the exciting world of manufacturing.  From getting the idea at an Association of High Technology Distribution event he took the challenge head on and has completely changed the game which is helping many learn and get exposure in areas they never would have dreamed about. 

Jake unpacks how building his brand has been able to impact his daily role at Feyen Zylstra and how the connections he's been able to make through this journey have been nothing short of incredible.  He shares ideas that manufacturers can begin implementing immediately to improve their current culture and how to start attracting new talent for the future.  He emphasizes the importance of investing in your own people and how creating career road maps can help communicate what opportunities and potential paths forward exist to foster an engaged team.

Jake shares about life outside of the Manufacturing Millennial and how his weekends are usually consumed with time being spent with his wonderful family and hopefully a grill with barbecue smoking!  All of that along with watching the Cubs win makes Jake one extremely happy guy. 

Jake hopes to share the opportunity that manufacturing has to offer with upcoming generations and workforces.  He's hitting this on the head with everything he does and we are blessed to have our hero Jake Hall share his story which will absolutely inspire others! 

Guest: Jake Hall
The Manufacturing Millennial & Business Development Manager at Feyen Zylstra

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

Manufacturing Millennial
Feyen Zylstra
Spotted Cow - New Glarus Brewery in Wisconsin 

Knowing how to make the right choice in motor starting devices can be tricky.  Chase Boehlke is an industry expert and breaks down areas to consider when selecting a soft starter and a variable frequency drive (VFD).  He explains how to evaluate applications and fundamental areas that one must know in order to make the right decision.  For him the basic understanding of if the motor will be required to continuously vary the speed or not will point you in the right direction. 

Chase unpacks a key area in choosing between these technologies when he covers the size and heat characteristics that should be considered.  VFD's are traditionally larger and create more heat which should be accounted for and he reviews steps that end users can take to mitigate these issues.  He also reviews how maintenance would be handled for both technologies and how torque should be evaluated to make the right decision.  Constant and variable torque loads have different requirements and he provides a great explanation for those new to these applications. 

Chase is full of wisdom and insight around both of these technologies and after hearing his explanation you'll quickly be able to make the right selection that will put your application in the best scenario to operate efficiently and reliably. 

Guest: Chase Boehlke - Motion Controls Specialist at Siemens

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower

Resource:
What to consider with a VFD startup - EECO Inspire Blog 

How about this for advice - "Make sure you fail, if you don't fail you're not trying. It's better to aim high and miss and aim low and hit." That's just a taste of the insight that we learned from our hero Vic Parangelo.  From his early days of wanting to be an astronaut to being a pilot in the Air Force Vic always shot for the stars.  He shared his amazing journey and provided insight and knowledge around how the world of industrial automation is evolving. 

He provides great guidance for those wanting to pursue a career in industry and emphasizes the fact that we all should keep learning.  With the rate of change that is seen in industry now the need to constantly keep growing your skillset is critical.  He often tells people to get comfortable being uncomfortable and it's that mindset that makes him a brilliant leader. 

Vic shard about some of his hobbies outside of work and loves to find time to get on the water and fish whenever possible.  He has an amazing family and brags on his wife being his wife and keeping him straight!  His kids are doing great and he loves helping them each achieve the goals.  Vic has a passion for industry and his story is inspiring.  You'll quickly hear why Vic is our hero! 

Guest: Vic Parangelo - Regional Manager at ProSoft Technology

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Podcast Editor: Andi Thrower