The Design Engineering Podcast

This episode features Product Specialist at Omron Automation, Franz Ferre, who provides an overview of the I/O-Link communications protocol. The conversation progresses from the hardware and technical specs to how I/O-Link simplifies the installation, configuration and maintenance of field devices. 

In addition, he explains how the technology’s bi-directional communication, remote parameter configuration and data collection capabilities enables the implementation of IIoT and manufacturing data analytics.

www.omron.ca

This episode features an interview with Greg Dieck, product manager for motion control at Omron Automation - Americas. 

Drawing on his decades of experience as an engineer in the automation industry, Greg delves into what sets a pure play motion controller apart from other controller types (such as PLCs, machine automation controllers and IPCs), while taking into account the increasingly gray area between them. 

In addition, he discusses the trends guiding the present and future of motion control technology and lays out what a cutting-edge motion controller is capable of.

https://automation.omron.com

This episode features a conversation with Tim Long, Global Head of Manufacturing at Snowflake, a cloud-based data storage and analysis company akin to AWS or MS Azure. In April, the company launched its Manufacturing Data Cloud, a service tailored for IIoT data and its transformation into useful performance and diagnostic metrics.

During the interview, Tim digs into how Snowflake differs from the other large players in the industry, as well as the ins and outs of manufacturing data storage and how manufacturers are leveraging that data to gain insight into their operations.

www.snowflake.com

This episode features an interview with Massimiliano “Max” Moruzzi, founder and CEO of Toronto-based Xaba.ai, which specializes in industrial AI software designed for robotics applications. 

During the discussion, Moruzzi explains what separates an industrial AI from an LLM AI like ChatGPT, how the company’s xTrude algorithm helped 3D-print the chassis of the APMA’s Project Arrow EV from composite materials and how Xaba’s hardware-agnostic AI module, xCognition, significantly improves the accuracy and utility of industrial robots. 

www.xaba.ai

This episode features Mohit Kedia, Product Management Director, IoT for Canonical, the company that develops and maintains the popular Ubuntu desktop and server operating systems but also the embedded Linux operating system, Ubuntu Core. 

During the interview, Mohit discusses the current embedded OS landscape, how and why Linux is increasingly being integrated into automation equipment and what sets Ubuntu Core apart from roll-your-own implementations like the Yacto Project. 

https://ubuntu.com/core

This episode features a conversation with Kathryn Pomeroy, Automation Project Manager with process automation design and integration firm, Actemium Toronto.

During the interview, Kathryn delves into the value of process simulation, which involves creating a digital visualization of how a process manufacturing system will work, so that end-users can hammer out details and make key decisions before the design and commissioning stages begin.

https://actemium.ca

In this episode, Dan Andersen, Product Manager, Components, for Omron Automation breaks down the technologies involved in predictive maintenance systems and details how these systems reduce unscheduled downtime and MRO costs while optimizing production capacity and labor utilization.

Canada Makes’ board member, Mark Kirby, and the additive manufacturing association’s Director of Community Relations, Steve Kleimaker, discuss how the organization and its 50+ members help designers and manufacturers navigate the complexities of 3D printing.

https://canadamakes.ca

www.linkedin.com/groups/8424949

This episode features an interview with Craig Milne, CEO of Alberta-based Copperstone Technologies, which makes autonomous amphibious vehicles that take measurements in hazardous tailings ponds. 

The company's electrically powered AR2 and Neptune robots are propelled by screw-shaped pontoons capable of traversing tailings ponds' diverse and difficult terrain. 

This episode features Michael Castro, founder and CEO of the Toronto-based cybersecurity firm, RiskAware. Over his 25 years in the field, Michael has served as Head of Information Security and Risk Management for Loblaws, provided Security Advisory Services to Canadian Tire, and served as Security Leader for Suncor Energy.

During our conversation, Michael gives an overview of the evolution and current state of enterprise cyber security and lays out some of the common strategies small-to-medium sized companies can take to protect themselves.