PODCAST · technology
ROK Talk on drives
by Rockwell Automation
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. Send any topic suggestions or comments to [email protected] or leave a comment in the comments section here on Spotify.
Episodes
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 28: From Wafer to Win: How Drives Power Semiconductor Manufacturing
Behind every advanced semiconductor chip are systems that must run with extreme precision and reliability. In this episode, industry expert Steve Husein joins Jim and Sam as they discuss how VFDs and motor control technologies support critical fab operations. Find out how VFDs help semiconductor...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 27: Digging Deeper: Boosting Mining Performance with VFDs
Join Jim and Sam alongside industry expert Andrew Hoch as they explore how variable frequency drives (VFDs) are helping mining operations improve efficiency, increase equipment reliability, and optimize control of critical applications. Tune in for practical insights on reducing energy…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 26: How VFDs Are Transforming Food & Beverage Production
Jim and Sam team up with industry expert Todd Gilliam to see what part VFDs play in food and beverage production. Learn how drives help maintain consistent product quality, improve energy efficiency, and help meet strict safety standards. Understand how connected drive technology can provide…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 25: The Catalyst for Smarter Chemical Processing
In this episode, learn how drives help chemical and plastics manufacturers run smarter, more efficient operations—delivering reliable motor control for applications like extrusion, mixing, and pumping while improving energy usage and product consistency. Sam and Jim break down how PowerFlex®…
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ROK Talk on Drives: Episode 24: What's Driving Faster Material Movement?
Hosts Jim and Sam sit down with industry expert Michael Lennard to discuss how variable frequency drives (VFDs) support modern warehousing and logistics operations. The conversation explores where VFDs are used, why they matter for material handling systems, and how they help improve efficiency,...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 23: Where the Rubber Meets the Road: How VFDs are Advancing Tire Production
In this episode of ROK Talk on Drives, we dive into thepowerful role Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are playing intoday’s tire manufacturing landscape. Hosts Jim and Sam speak with experts Dan Paul and Eduardo Rodriguez to unpack why VFDs are so critical and how their place in automation…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 22: The Big Drive Behind Mill Operations
The next advancement in pulp and paper mill automation starts with smarter, more responsive motor control. In this episode, host Sam Shelley teams up with Rockwell Automation experts Eduardo Rodriguez and Mike Clark to break down the real impact of VFDs in pulp and paper—from serious energy...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 21: Are Variable Frequency Drives the Secret to Smarter Oilfield Operations?
Explore how VFDs are transforming the oil and gas industry. Jim and Sam are joined by industry expert Ron Busse to discuss real-world applications, energy savings, process optimization, and the role of automation in meeting sustainability goals. Learn about overcoming infrastructure challenges,...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 20: It Starts with a Spark-Reinventing the Classic Motor Starter
In this episode of ROK Talk on Drives, hosts Jim and Sam welcome special guest Bill Meindl, business unit manager at Rockwell Automation, to explore the past, present, and future of motor starting technology. From the humble beginnings of the compression rheostat in 1903 to today’s cutting-edge...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 19: Safety First!
Join Jim and Sam in another episode of ROK Talk on driveswhere we welcome safety expert Jonathan Johnson. JJ will talk about how moving mechanicals are a potential source of harm for the workers that interact with them. He’ll try to help us understand the risks associated with drives and helpyou...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 18: Corrosive Gas-You Might Not Know you Have a Problem
Join Jim and Sam for the latest episode of ROK Talk on drives as they explore the risks corrosive gases can pose in your plant. Find out the reasons why VFDs are vulnerable to these gases and how to protect your plant. Learn how to combat corrosion-related downtime, protect your equipment in…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 17 : VFD Training-How Do You Overcome the Skills Gap and Onboard Talent Faster?
How did you learn to set up a VFD? In this episode, listen to the journey of a new controls engineer and hear how new hires are learning today. Find out what training opportunities have the biggest impact and how to accelerate technical skills development. To learn more about Workforce…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 16: Let's Come to a Happy Medium (Voltage).
In this episode of ROK Talk on drives we welcome a very special guest , Navid Zargari, sustainability manager at Rockwell Automation and long time medium voltage expert. Navid will join our hosts, Jim and Sam and will walk us through the technologies used in modern medium voltage drives. Learn…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 15: Cyber Security and drives-How will you protect your equipment from security risks?
Welcome to episode 15 of ROK Talk on drives where Sam and Jim welcome Dustin Molzon to the show today. Dustin is a product manager with Rockwell Automation for cybersecurity products, called FactoryTalk Policy Manager. They will be talking about Cyber Security, specifically as it pertains to how…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 14: 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:...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 13: 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...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 12: 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…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 11: Sustainability Part 2 - Beyond the Buzzwords
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 1, exactly what sustainability is....
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 10: 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 if you have…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 9: Sustainability Part 1-Connecting the Dots from Drives to Sustainability
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…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 8: Not Another Boring Installation Guide Part Deux
Join Jim and Neal and their guests for more drives installation fun! Email us if you have suggestions for upcoming podcasts, to give us feedback or get information on new episodes [email protected].
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 7 Part 1: Not Another Boring Installation Guide
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 riveting discussion on installation best practices. Dave will talk more about how the success of your startup can set…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 6: Happy 50th Anniversary CENTERLINE!
Today's episode 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. Email us if you have suggestions for upcoming podcasts, to give us feedback or get information on...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 5: May the (Total) Force be With You
Join Jim and Neal for a deep dive into a subject near and dear to Jim’s heart—Total Force Technology. Total Force 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…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 4: Pack it in! Packaging Drives in Motor Control Centers
Today, Mark Ossanna and Elizabeth Allen of Rockwell Automation MCCs, join our hosts Jim Finiak and Neal Corbett. They will discuss packaging AC drives in low voltage motor control centers. Email us if you have suggestions for upcoming podcasts, to give us feedback or get information on new…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 3: Answering the Burning Question: Variable Frequency Drives or Servo Drives?
Tune in to episode 3 of ROK Talk on Drives where you can learn more about the differences and similarities of variable frequency drives and servo drives. We will 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…
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 2: Decisions, Decisions-How to Select the Right Medium Voltage Drive for your Application
Today’s topic is on 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 required when branch circuit power cabling distances are...
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ROK Talk on Drives Episode 1: Drives vs. Soft Starters Go Head to Head
On today's episode we’re going to talk about the difference between a drive and a soft starter. We’re here with Bill Martin, host of ROKTalk on Industrial Components, who will help explain the difference. Jim Finak and Neal Corbett of Rockwell Automation will chime in as well. Tune in for all the...
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ROKTalk on Drives
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…
more
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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. Send any topic suggestions or comments to [email protected] or leave a comment in the comments section here on Spotify.
HOSTED BY
Rockwell Automation
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ROK Talk on drives have?
ROK Talk on drives currently has 29 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ROK Talk on drives about?
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....
How often does ROK Talk on drives release new episodes?
ROK Talk on drives has 29 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to ROK Talk on drives?
You can listen to ROK Talk on drives on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ROK Talk on drives?
ROK Talk on drives is created and hosted by Rockwell Automation.
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