The industrial automation landscape is constantly changing and adapting to meet the needs and challenges of manufacturers in a variety of industrial spaces. As the global markets continue to be impacted by supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and other roadblocks, automation trends have emerged over the past year to help address these challenges while keeping a keen eye on sustainability and future growth. Join hosts Carrie Lee and Kenny Heidel as they discuss Craig Resnick’s ‘Key Technology Trends for 2023’ article featured in Automation World and make their own predictions for future automation trends.  

The Omron Sakura Program is empowering the next generation of sales and technology leaders. Join podcast host Kenny Heidel as he interviews Carrie Lee about some of our exciting University partnerships, and how we’re growing our Sakura trainee program to prepare recent college graduates for successful automation careers at Omron.

In this episode of Operation Automation, join Carrie Lee, Kenny Heidel, and podcast producers Tad Saine and Ali Hasan. In this retrospective episode we look back over the past 20 episodes of the podcast, offer a glimpse into what the future holds for Operation Automation, as well as general thoughts on the world of podcasting at-large. Ali is Senior Video Producer and Motion Graphic Artist and Tad is Senior Graphic Designer.

Things are shifting in the manufacturing industry, but what does this mean for people who are involved in selling automation solutions? From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the continuing pressures of labor shortages and increased expectations for quality, Peter Brouwer discusses how the sales landscape has changed.

How do we make sense of terms like Industry 4.0? More

specifically, how do we turn these nebulous concepts into actions we can take

to grow a business? Join Carrie Lee, Kenny Heidel, and special guest Paul

Anderson as they delve deeper into a topic that Paul presented on at Omron OPEN

2022. Whether you’re looking to improve flexibility or incorporate artificial

intelligence into your operations, this podcast provides a roadmap for turning

complex ideas into concrete action.

What’s the number one goal of BPI and LEAN? What are some ways that manufacturers have found success in leveraging automation technologies alongside BPI? These are just a couple of questions that Carrie Lee, Kenny Heidel, and special guests Christian Plott and Michael Pop dive into in this insightful podcast episode. We all need somebody — or something — to lean on, whether it’s your best friend or a set of business process tools!

Resources:

Understanding Variation by Donald J. Wheeler ISBN-13: 9780945320531

Lead With Respect by Michael & Freddy Balle ISBN-13: 9781934109489

Are we living a Semi-Charmed Life, or a Semiconductor-Charmed Life? Maybe we should wait until we get out of the current chip shortage to decide. Join hosts Carrie Lee and Kenny Heidel as they learn all about semiconductor manufacturing — including the six steps to make a chip and what “copy exact” means from an industry perspective — from Strategic Account Manager Matt Hyatt.

What’s behind the prediction that robotics adoption will not only double — or even triple — but QUADRUPLE from 2020 to 2025? Join Carrie Lee and Kenny Heidel as they chat with Robotics Project Manager Adrian Choy about the ways in which robotics accessibility has opened the doors to new opportunities outside the usual industries like manufacturing.

Resource links:

FIRST: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc

VEX: https://www.vexrobotics.com/competition

HOUR OF CODE: https://hourofcode.com/us

GIRLS WHO CODE: https://girlswhocode.com

BLACK BOYS CODE: https://www.blackboyscode.com

BLACK GIRLS CODE: https://www.blackgirlscode.com

ROBOT COMBAT EVENTS: https://www.robotcombatevents.com

WORLDCAT (Library Finder)*: https://www.worldcat.org/libraries