ROK Talk on Drives Podcast Series

From simple starters to complex drive systems, motors play a critical role in industrial operations. This podcast explores trends in drive technology, examines specific application challenges, and most importantly, will help you understand how to get the most out of your motor control applications. ROK Talk on Drives is hosted by Business Lead Jim Finiak and Lead Product Manager Sam Shelley.

Your smart VFD has a lot to say. Are you listening?

Today our crew takes Andrew Hastert into the ROK Talk fold. He'll walk us through FactoryTalk® Analytics™ GuardianAI™ software from Rockwell Automation. Learn how the combination of this software and PowerFlex® drives can give you a view into the health of your plant assets. See more at: rok.auto/ft-analytics-guardianai

Email us if you have suggestions for upcoming podcasts, to give us feedback or get information on new episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAROKTalkDrives@ra.rockwell.com.

The Epic Battle of In-Cabinet vs. On-Machine

Today's episode is all about On-Machine® motor control solutions—both servo class drives as well as VFDs. Justin Garski joins Jim and Sam to offer his expert insight to wage the war of in-cabinet vs. decentralized solutions.

Take a look at our On-Machine Calculator to get a better understanding about what On-Machine solutions can do for you: https://configurator.rockwellautomation.com/#/configure/template/ROI Calculation

Email us if you have suggestions for upcoming podcasts, to give us feedback or get information on new episodes ⁠⁠RAROKTalkDrives@ra.rockwell.com.⁠⁠

Driving Change, Part 1 - How We Started Turning

Ever want to go back to the future? Wonder where variable frequency drive (VFD) motor control technology came from? Dave Dahl turns on the way back dial as he joins Jim and Sam where he'll give an overview of VFDs and their significance in various industries over time. In this episode we'll go back in time and explore the history, evolution and impact of VFDs.

Email us if you have suggestions for upcoming podcasts, to give us feedback or get information on new episodes ⁠⁠RAROKTalkDrives@ra.rockwell.com.⁠⁠

Sustainability Part 2 - Beyond the Buzz Words

Join Jim Finiak and new co-host Sam Shelley for his first full episode with ROK Talk on Drives. Today Tadeo Rodriguez, customer sustainability lead of Rockwell Automation, joins the team in making sense of sustainability. We learned in the previous episode, part I, exactly what sustainability is. Now, join us as we learn how you can take action towards sustainability implementation specific to motor control and drives. Email us to get information on new episodes ⁠⁠RAROKTalkDrives@ra.rockwell.com.

We're baaack!

After some time off, ROK Talk on drives is back for more fun. Joining Jim Finiak this season is Sam Shelley, drives lead product manager at Rockwell Automation. Sam brings to the table a wealth of drives knowledge and offers interesting perspectives on the subject. Email us to get information on new episodes ⁠⁠RAROKTalkDrives@ra.rockwell.com.

Sustainability to Drives: Connecting the Dots - Part 1

Tune in to the latest episode of ROKTalk on Drives to see how you can connect the dots from sustainability to variable frequency drives. Corrine Pellish and Josh Olive join Jim Finiak to talk about what sustainability is and how your company can become more sustainable with the use of Allen-Bradley VFDs.

Not another Boring Installation Guide - Part 2

Join Jim and Neal and their guests for more drives installation fun! Dave pivots from compatibility to reliability in this episode.

Not another Boring Installation Guide - Part 1

Today we join Jim and Neal in another episode of ROK Talk on Drives. Installations guides got you down? Well take a listen to Dave Dahl of Rockwell Automation. He joins us for a discussion on installation best practices. Dave will talk more about how the success of your startup can set the whole tone of the drive compatibility.

Happy 50th Anniversary CENTERLINE!

ROK Talk on Drives, Episode 6 revolves around the center of the motor control universe--CENTERLINE MCCs! We brought in Elizabeth Allen and Diego Wilches to talk about the CENTERLINE MCC and the history behind it.

May the (Total) Force be With You

In ROK Talk on Drives, Episode 5, join Jim and Neal for a deep dive into a subject near and dear to Jim’s heart—TotalFORCE Technology. TotalFORCE is the common control technology across the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755T LV drives and PowerFlex 6000T MV drives. Special guests include Sayantani Ganguly with Medium Voltage Drives and Adam Davis with Low Voltage Drives.

Pack it in! Packaging Drives in Motor Control Centers

In ROK Talk on Drives, Episode 4, Mark Ossanna and Elizabeth Allen of Rockwell Automation MCCs, join our hosts Jim Finiak and Neal Corbett to discuss packaging AC drives in low voltage motor control centers.

Answering the Burning Question: Variable Frequency Drives or Servo Drives?

In ROK Talk on Drives, Episode 3, you can learn about the differences and similarities of variable frequency drives and servo drives. We talk to Mike Harris from our drives team and Michelle Holt from our Motion team and they will go head to head on which drive is best for your application. We can then help you solve the mystery of which drive you should use over the other.

How to Select the Right Medium Voltage Drive for your Application

In ROK Talk on Drives, Episode 2, we talk about how to select the right medium voltage drive for your application. Fred Jason teaches us when you need to consider a medium voltage drive vs a low voltage drive. Medium Voltage is preferred when higher power motors are used and when branch circuit power cabling distances are longer.

Drives vs Soft Starters

In ROK Talk on Drives Episode 1, we talk about the difference between a drive and a soft starter. Bill Martin, host of ROKTalk on Industrial Components, helps explain the difference. Jim and Neal will chime in too. Drives and soft starters are found in so many different applications and industries. They both can control motors but what are the key differences between them that everyone should know about?

ROK Talk on Drives Introduction

In ROK Talk on Drives, topics will be focused on Drives and include both medium and low voltage VFDs, as well as servo drives. Topics could cover areas of packaging and applications for drives. Tune in for all the information you never knew you needed about drives.