Ep. 43 - [Benson Hougland] What is the future of Control Systems? The Evolution of Control Systems.

01/13/22 • 73 min

In the forty-third episode of the Manufacturing Hub, we've invited Benson Hougland from Opto 22 to speak with us about the evolution of control systems and what role the company played throughout the years. Benson walked us through the software and hardware changes that led to where we are today.

Guest Bio
Benson Hougland has three decades of experience in manufacturing automation. In his early career, Benson founded a computer software, hardware, and consulting company which exposed him to the technical and business challenges of technological change. An opportunity to join Opto 22 was presented to him in mid 1990s where he was brought on as a technical expert. By participating in various industry-defining initiatives, Benson delivered products that had a major impact on the automation industry. Today, in his role as the Vice President of Opto 22, Benson brings awareness to the new lines of products released by the company and still finds time to be hands-on with the hardware and software! His entire home is automated on groov EPIC and RIO.

Main Discussion Points
- The evolution / history of control systems.
- The impact of various protocol and software changes that made modern control systems possible.
- The future of control systems, automation, and related fields.

Recommended Books
- Switch by Dan Heath, Chip Heath | https://amzn.to/3rjdZ6C
- The Book of CODESYS by Gary L. Pratt | https://amzn.to/31UFwmg

Connect with Us
Vlad Romanov | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/
Dave Griffith | https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith23/
Manufacturing Hub | https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturing-hub-podcast/

Let Us Know What You Think
If you enjoyed the show, it would mean the world to us if you could leave us a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manufacturing-hub/id1546805573

Recommended Books
- Switch by Dan Heath, Chip Heath | https://amzn.to/3rjdZ6C
- The Book of CODESYS by Gary L. Pratt | https://amzn.to/31UFwmg

Let Us Know What You Think
If you enjoyed the show, it would mean the world to us if you could leave us a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manufacturing-hub/id1546805573

Previous Episode

Ep. 27 - [Alicia Gilpin] | SCADA Systems, IT vs OT, Challenges of Systems Integration, Industry 4.0

Ali G recently went full time on her own company Process & Controls Engineering and brings some very unique perspective of the process world to System Integration!

We will be talking horror stories.
👉 Windows updates taking down SCADA Systems
👉 IT and OT acting like they are on different teams

Plus we'll chat about:
👉 Challenges of Systems Integration work
👉 Chemical Engineers to Controls
👉 Business in Systems Integration
👉 New Technology & Industry 4.0

We might talk about components, we might talk about steam, the opportunities are endless.

#automation #manufacturing #SCADA

Next Episode

Ep. 44 - [Tim Wilborne] Building tools and control systems for maintainability / Educating the youth

Guest Bio
Tim Wilborne is involved in multiple industrial automation projects. He has experience in panel design, panel assembly, control systems development, programming, education, and more. He joins us to discuss the changes in control systems, their impact on the manufacturing operations, and the importance of keeping those who maintain these systems in mind.

Main Discussion Points
Tim’s Current Projects & Involvements in Manufacturing / Automation
- PLC, HMI, VFD & Control systems trainers.
- Control panel design, assembly, and commissioning.
- Technical tutorials focused on maintaining and troubleshooting plant control systems.
- Field tools [Loop Simulator & IP Explorer] that simplify the day-to-day tasks of troubleshooting, maintaining, and commissioning automation systems.
- In-person courses on control system programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Transformation of Control Systems
- Systems are changing, but aren’t necessarily focused on providing longevity.
- There’s a lack of concern for the people that are required to operate and maintain machinery once it is deployed on the manufacturing floor.
- Training should be an upfront cost for most automation projects.
- Companies should disclose the training they have in place and that the buyer must go through them before deploying their machinery onto the production floor.
- The people are your most valuable asset.

Support provided by OEMs
- There’s always a cost to receiving support; it’s priced in one way or another into a platform.
- “Free support” should not equate to “bad support”.

Automation Education at the High School Level
- We underestimate what the youth can learn in a short amount of time.
- Exposure at the high-school level is a long-term investment that we need to make today.
- The curriculum Tim has created will be shared with others to be implemented in local high schools.

Better written programs are key to long-term success in manufacturing. Their scope should incorporate thoughts around those who will maintain the systems and access the software over the lifetime of machinery.

Stay a step behind the “cutting edge” of innovation. Figure out what’s going to work for your business and what makes sense to implement.

Recommended Books
- Duct Tape Marketing | https://amzn.to/33R9o3s
- Burnout to Engagement | https://amzn.to/3GMSdim
- Great Demo | https://amzn.to/3fDl8cE

Let Us Know What You Think
If you enjoyed the show, it would mean the world to us if you could leave us a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manufacturing-hub/id1546805573

#manufacturing #automation #industry40