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Control Intelligence

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Welcome to Control Intelligence, a ControlDesign.com podcast that goes deep inside the automation and technology that machine builders, system integrators and end users rely on to keep production humming efficiently

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  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 20 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • #161
    Monday · 50 min

    AMT’s Doug Woods: What’s in store at IMTS

    In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore spoke with Doug Woods, president of the Association for Manufacturing Technology, which hosts the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) September 14-19 at Chicago's McCormick Place. In this interview, Woods explains the missions of the association and the exhibition, which is the western hemisphere's largest manufacturing trade show, as well as expectations of what the 2026 IMTS has in store and how to navigate the massive event.

  • #160
    August 17 · 1 hr

    The future of system integration: CSIA CEO Adrienne Meyer shares a vision based on learning

    In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore spoke to Adrienne Meyer, CEO of the Control System Integrators Association, about the experience she brings from the Open DeviceNet Vendors Association and her MBA studies at the University of Michigan. In this interview, Meyer shares what she’s learned over the course of more than a year at the helm of CSIA, most of which she’s spent visiting and speaking with system integrators from around the world.

  • #159
    August 10 · 20 min

    Top 20 practices for securing PLCs from cyberthreats

    In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore spoke to Jagannathan Raghunathan, director of cyberphysical security services at Bureau Veritas, about the recent CISA alert. Raghunathan is also co-chair of the PLC Security Top 20 List. In this interview, he outlines how the PLC Security Top 20 List addresses programmable logic controller (PLC) vulnerabilities by offering practical, engineering-focused guidance across the hardware lifecycle.

  • #158
    August 6 · 21 min

    What happened with the CISA wastewater cybersecurity alert?

    The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an alert on July 30 regarding a significant increase in cyber threat actors targeting programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in the water/wastewater sector. In this episode of Control Intelligence, Control Design’s longest standing columnist, automation industry veteran Jeremy Pollard, spoke with Mike Bacidore about the vulnerabilities of PLCs; the evolution of their connectivity to the Internet; the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and gateways; and what machine builders can learn from this to keep industrial equipment secure.

  • #157
    August 3 · 6 min

    What can terminal blocks do for you?

    A terminal block is a place to connect a wire to another wire and create a junction point. Picture a terminal block as an intersection on a two-way or four-way highway. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Tobey Strauch, editor in chief Mike Bacidore discusses terminal blocks.

  • #156
    July 13 · 6 min

    Uses for industrial PCs vs. PLCs

    Hardware independence is what PC-based control promised back in the 1990s. You can run any software on any hardware you choose. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Jeremy Pollard, editor in chief Mike Bacidore compares the uses of PLCs and industrial PCs.

  • #155
    July 6 · 5 min

    The role of transducers in wireless networks

    Factory OT uses wireless networks regularly to interface the physical world and the digital world. Transducers make this connection possible. A transducer is a component that converts one form of energy to another. Industrial controls capitalize on this device by utilizing the convenience of wireless in safety, remote and environmentally challenged environments. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Tobey Strauch, editor in chief Mike Bacidore explains the role of transducers in wireless networks.

  • #154
    June 16 · 7 min

    How to use variable frequency drives as predictive maintenance tools

    Using vibrational analysis tools that can sense wear, imbalance, noise or harmonics can help identify machinery issues prior to failure. This allows for correcting those issues at a more convenient time, such as scheduled downtime, and avoid costly catastrophic failure. In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore shares how variable-frequency drives can be used for physical-asset condition monitoring.

  • #153
    June 8 · 7 min

    Running a motor at 175% load: should you do it?

    Sometimes motors can run at 175% of their rated load continuously, but the conditions should be specified within boundaries of the system. When we talk about running a motor at 175% continuously, it means the expected current load or the torque will be at roughly 175% of its rated full load Amps. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Tobey Strauch, Mike Bacidore explains when a motor should be allowed to run in an overload condition.

  • #151
    May 26 · 44 min

    Brian Romano discusses PLC coding, IT/OT convergence and more

    In this episode of Control Intelligence, Mike Bacidore is rejoined by Dr. Brian Romano, director of technology development at Arthur G. Russell Company. With more than four decades of experience in industrial automation and control systems engineering, Romano's career has centered around innovation, leadership and a forward-looking commitment to advanced technology in manufacturing. His work includes control systems architecture, enterprise connectivity, digital transformation and predictive analytics, even combining them to offer production-as-a-service capabilities by leveraging remote monitoring capabilities. Beyond his industry leadership, Romano brings a passion for developing the next generation of engineers, serving as adjunct faculty at both Central Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford. His academic achievements, including a Ph.D. in Technology and Innovation, an MBA in Business and Data Analytics, and multiple national honor societies, complement his work as an entrepreneur, a published researcher and the 2022 Division Leader of Year with the International Society of Automation. He is also an ISA fellow.

  • #150
    May 15 · 7 min

    The reliability and accuracy of machine vision systems

    Machine vision has long been used in factory automation for quality inspections, the final checkpoint separating acceptable parts from the rework pile or the scrap bin. Today, vision systems are no longer just inspectors. They are becoming adaptive, data-driven participants in the manufacturing process, capable of influencing outcomes rather than simply recording them. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, editor in chief Mike Bacidore discusses how artificial intelligence has impacted the reliability and accuracy of vision systems.

  • #149
    May 11 · 6 min

    Uniting engineering principles with 3D tools

    There is a growing trend to use laser scanning to create 3D images of the plant floor, of machine locations and of intricate areas that are congested with plant infrastructure to allow integrators to visualize how they can install new equipment or modify old equipment. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Tobey Strauch, editor in chief Mike Bacidore discusses how to combine 3D tools with engineering principles.

  • #148
    May 4 · 43 min

    2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award application winner Robert Little tells all

    In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore spoke to Robert Little, founder and executive advisor of Robert Little Robotics in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the 2026 application winner of the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award. He will be recognized at the awards dinner during the Automate Show in Chicago the week of June 22. With more than 40 years of experience in robotics, automation and manufacturing, Little serves as a Robotics Technology Strategy board member of the Association for Advancing Automation. He co-founded ATI Industrial Automation in 1989 and helped grow the company from approximately $1 million to more than $100 million in revenue. Under his leadership, ATI became a global leader in robotic tool changers, force/torque sensing and other end-effector technologies that expanded the practical use of robots in manufacturing. Following the acquisition of ATI by Novanta in 2021, Little served as president of Novanta’s ATI business group and later as chief of robotics strategy. He now supports the robotics industry through his advisory firm, Robert Little Robotics, where he advises companies on business strategy focused on robotics and automation markets.

  • #147
    April 20 · 7 min

    Inductive, capacitive and passive IR sensors: what’s the difference?

    Whether they’re used for position detection on gantries, for detecting parts for assembly or for innumerable other cases, the use of non-contact presence sensors has been a mainstay of industrial controls since the development of the first versions in the 1950s. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, editor in chief Mike Bacidore discusses non-contact presence sensing technologies.

  • #146
    April 6 · 50 min

    Brian Romano's 45 years of industry leadership

    In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore is joined by an important figure in the controls and automation world, Dr. Brian Romano, director of technology development at Arthur G. Russell Company. With more than four decades of experience in industrial automation and control systems engineering, Romano’s career has centered around innovation, leadership and a forward-looking commitment to advanced technology in manufacturing. He’s played a central role in aligning machine-building with data-enabled systems before Industry 4.0 was a thing. His work includes control systems architecture, enterprise connectivity, digital transformation and predictive analytics, even combining them to offer production-as-a-service capabilities by leveraging remote monitoring capabilities. Beyond his industry leadership, Romano brings a passion for developing the next generation of engineers, serving as adjunct faculty at both Central Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford. His academic achievements, including a Ph.D. in Technology and Innovation, an MBA in Business and Data Analytics, and multiple national honor societies, complement his work as an entrepreneur, a published researcher and the 2022 Division Leader of Year with the International Society of Automation. He is also an ISA fellow.

  • #145
    March 27 · 36 min

    Drive technology: servo motors, inverters and more

    Control Design editor in chief Mike Bacidore spoke Mark Arisman, manager of business development for control products at Nord Drivesystems, about Nord's advancements in drive technology and the digital twin.

  • #144
    March 16 · 6 min

    Balancing safety and throughput

    The space shuttle had three computers and needed a two-of-three voting system to determine if a sensed variable was real or phantom. This would be a good thing regarding a leaking door seal on the capsule. Safety sensing isn’t a new technology, but it seems that understanding what a safety system function is might be lacking a bit. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Jeremy Pollard, editor in chief Mike Bacidore talks about safety systems.

  • #142
    March 2 · 7 min

    Choosing the right enclosure material for fanless industrial PCs

    In most factory lines, the soft PLC and PAC are commonly based on Industrial PC hardware. It is this hardware platform that has quietly become one of the most important components of a factory line’s control hardware. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, editor in chief Mike Bacidore discusses fanless controller housings.

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes