Networking and Professional Development
Abstract
Enrico and Fred discuss the importance of ongoing networking and professional development.
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SOR 1178 Networking and Professional Development
CR204: Old Records Big Money Saved on a Field Trip
Old Records Big Money Saved on a Field Trip
CMMSradio welcomes Bryan Bieschke, and George Williams dig into a mining site case where decades-old CMMS records saved millions by preventing a “replace everything” disaster. They show why facts and context beat buzzwords every time — and invite leaders to Stop the Madness at SMRP 2025 and on tour.
- Context + facts = compliance + savings
- No more easy-button solutions
- Bring real problems. Get real answers.
Much more in this episode! Two real deal pros breaking it all down!
QDD 195: Local LLMs: Where to Actually Start, with Vincent Deeney (A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts)
Local LLMs: Where to Actually Start, with Vincent Deeney (A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts)
If you’re an engineer or quality professional wondering how to actually start using AI beyond the chatbots and CAD plugins your company already provides, this episode is your starting point.
Vincent Deeney (technologist and AI enthusiast) joins Dianna to break down how to run large language models (LLMs) on your own hardware, why that matters for data privacy, and how to get real work done with modest equipment. No programming required.
This interview is part of our series, “A Chat with Cross Functional Experts”.
About Vincent
Vincent Deeney is a director who has spent the past five years helping organizations navigate complex software decisions. Before that, he built a nearly two-decade career specializing in data quality, master data management, and governance. He holds a Master’s in Organization Leadership and, perhaps most tellingly, an undergraduate degree in Philosophy. He’s someone who asks the right questions before reaching for a solution. Lately he’s been exploring local LLMs on his own time.
What Vincent and Dianna Talk About
They walked through the practical side of running local LLMs.
We covered why data privacy and token costs push people toward local setups, what hardware you actually need (from your existing laptop to a dedicated AI machine like the DGX Spark), and which free tools — Ollama, LM Studio, OpenCode, Hermes Agent — make it possible to get started without writing code. We dug into how local models compare to frontier models like Claude, and Vincent shared his approach to using both together: plan with the frontier model, execute with the local one.
We also talked about managing context windows, using sub-agents, and connecting local models to tools you’re already using. The episode wraps with a practical challenge to get you started this week.
RG010: Oil Analysis Chat with Adam Cutler
Oil Analysis Chat with Adam Cutler
Hello #reliabilitygang, i hope everyone is having a productive week. This weeks Podcast we have a special guest Adam Cutler from Oil Analysis Laboratories on the show. We dive deep into Oil analysis and why it’s so important. Maintain have been using OAL since it started and i have been great friends with Adam since my early days at my previous employer. Adam has a big passion for Oil and Bob Cutler the GURU of oil analysis taught me years ago on my lubrication level 1 course. I hope you guys enjoy the podcast and let us know if you require any Oil analysis services as we are a exclusive provider through Adams Lab.
[Read more…]
CR203: Stop The Madness NOW and Fix Maintenance
Stop The Madness NOW and Fix Maintenance
CMMSradio talks with Alex Bolan of Digital Thinker about Stop the Madness — a no-fluff, no-sales half-day workshop touring South Carolina. Instead of vendor pitches, attendees identify their top 3 pain points and collaborate with experts from Digital Thinker, ReliabilityX, and Uptime Solutions to solve real problems.
- Actionable measures like wrench time, PM compliance, and cost per unit.
- Focused on fixing real plant pain points, not selling software.
- Built to strengthen local manufacturing communities.
RM 193: The Return of Cleaning: Why Post-Reflow Cleaning is Becoming Mainstream Again
The Return of Cleaning: Why Post-Reflow Cleaning is Becoming Mainstream Again
This is the first of a two part series.
For decades, cleaning circuit assemblies after soldering was not optional. It was standard practice across the electronics manufacturing industry. Then, almost overnight, that changed.
In this episode of Reliability Matters, Mike Konrad takes you back to the origins of that shift. From the widespread use of CFC-based cleaning solvents to the global impact of the Montreal Protocol, this episode explains how environmental regulation led to the rapid adoption of no-clean flux and the removal of cleaning as a standard process step. But that decision came with assumptions.
Assumptions based on larger components, wider spacing, and assemblies that were far more tolerant of residues than what we see today.
As electronics evolved, so did the risk.
Miniaturization, increased component density, and the expansion of electronics into harsh environments have dramatically reduced the tolerance for contamination. And when cleaning was removed, it wasn’t just flux that remained. It was the totality of residues introduced throughout the manufacturing process.
This episode walks through how those residues, combined with moisture and electrical bias, can lead to electrochemical migration, including parasitic leakage and dendritic growth, often resulting in delayed or intermittent failures.
This is the story of how we got here.
In Part 2, we bring this discussion into the present.
What does “clean” actually mean today? Why did the industry move away from fixed cleanliness limits? And why is cleaning once again becoming a critical part of modern electronics manufacturing?
If you’ve ever asked the question, “Do I really need to clean?” Part 2 will challenge how you think about the answer.
R40.007: Advancing Proactive Maintenance Across Industries with Chris Barkow from Regal Rexnord
Advancing Proactive Maintenance Across Industries with Chris Barkow from Regal Rexnord
In this episode of Reliability 4.0, we welcome Chris Barkow, Reliability Solutions Manager at Regal Rexnord. Chris shares his journey from pharmaceuticals to steel mill maintenance, emphasizing the need to shift from reactive to proactive maintenance.
Chris highlights the importance of torque monitoring and technology in predicting equipment failures and reducing unplanned downtime. He also discusses the challenges of justifying reliability investments and the balance between technology and human expertise in predictive maintenance.
SOR 1177 The Reliability Contract
The Reliability Contract
Abstract
Dianna and Fred discuss the reliability contract: the RE’s role as internal consultant.
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CR202: Fix Maintenance Process First with Mark Kingkade
Fix Maintenance Process First with Mark Kingkade
CMMSradio sits down with Mark Kingkade (Maintenance Expert & Consultant) with Waites to dig into what it really takes to transform maintenance beyond buzzwords and into business impact. We challenge the idea that technology alone can fix maintenance issues, stressing that leadership, discipline, and cultural alignment must come first.
- Actionable measures like wrench time, PM compliance, and cost per unit.
- Maintenance Maturity: You can’t leapfrog steps — build stability first, then optimize.
- Without executive support, improvements won’t stick.
- True transformation sticks only if behaviors & expectations are clear and reinforced.
SOR 1176 Reliability and Volume
Reliability and Volume
Abstract
Dianna and Fred discuss reliability and volume, comparing high-volume products with low-volume high-stakes products.
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CR201: Human Expertise Over Hype in Maintenance with Bryan Bieschke CMRP
Human Expertise Over Hype in Maintenance with Bryan Bieschke CMRP
We welcome Bryan Bieschke (VP of Maintenance Programs, Uptime Solutions) back to CMMSradio to talk about why he joined Uptime — a company that puts human expertise at the center of reliability. Bryan explains that while AI and tech are powerful tools, real results still come from skilled people who know the work, ask the right questions, and build trust across the organization.
We’re comin in hot!
- Discovery First: Walk the floor, talk to everyone, understand the real pain points before prescribing solutions.
- Doing the Work: Knowledge without experience is empty — reliability leaders need to have been in the trenches.
- Shared Struggle: The “mutual suck” builds trust and real partnerships.
Takeaway: Real reliability is forged in the field, built on facts, people, and persistence — not shiny tools or empty acronyms.
RiM 041: Weibull Distributions with Hongan Lin
Weibull Distributions with Hongan
In this episode, I had a wonderful chat with Hongan. He refreshed my memory on the Weibull Distribution, and we discussed the pitfalls of using the wrong distribution and my favourite, MTBF. If this is your first time hearing about Weibull Distribution, then you’ve come to the right place.
We also talked about a free tool which Hongan has created for all Reliability Engineers – FreeWeibull
If you have a question for Hongan, you can reach out to him via Linkedin.
Note: All views expressed in this podcast are my own.
CR200: Real Reliability DEMANDS Basics Before Buzzwords with Andy Gager
Real Reliability DEMANDS Basics Before Buzzwords with Andy Gager
The noise is loud in maintenance and reliability — shiny tools, AI promises, and acronyms everywhere.
Join me and Andy Gager (AMG International Consulting) on CMMSradio as we cut through the hype and get back to what really matters:
- ✅ Fixing MRO practices that erode trust
- ✅ Building culture and behaviors before tech
RM 192: Why PCB Revision Errors are a Hidden Reliability Risk with Mehdi Nahali
Why PCB Revision Errors are a Hidden Reliability Risk with Mehdi Nahali
Today, we’re going to explore a topic that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but has a direct impact on product quality and long-term reliability.
I’m joined by Mehdi Nahali, founder of PCB Revision Control PRO. His platform is designed to replace spreadsheets, emails, and disconnected systems with a centralized approach to PCB revision lifecycle management and factory intelligence.
We’re going to talk about how revision control, data integrity, and process discipline impact reliability, and where manufacturers are still getting it wrong.
PCB Revision Control Pro
https://www.pcbrevisionpro.com [Read more…]
R40.006: Reliability in Semiconductor Manufacturing with Sujay Soman from Samsung Austin Semiconductors
Reliability in Semiconductor Manufacturing with Sujay Soman from Samsung Austin Semiconductors
We have Sujay Soman with us on our newest episode of Reliability 4.0! Sujay is a Senior Reliability Engineer at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, a leading semiconductor manufacturer known for its commitment to reliability and innovation in the industry.
He highlights the significance of involving maintenance and reliability engineers during the design phase of projects to ensure equipment reliability, availability, and maintainability. By leveraging reliability data and collaborating with design engineers early on, organizations can make informed decisions and avoid costly maintenance issues down the line.
Additionally, Sujay talks about the importance of KPI selection and business case ROI development for effective reliability engineering, illustrating how these aspects enable organizations to measure the success and impact of reliability initiatives more comprehensively.
