CR170: Live CMMSradio Panel Discussion at the 2025 Streamline Asset Management Conference

Live CMMSradio Panel Discussion at the 2025 Streamline Asset Management Conference

Recorded Live from the Streamline Asset Management User Conference in Greenville, SC! his CMMSradio Panel Discussion features Trent McJunkin, John Lindmann, and Zach Salvato talking maintenance management, CMMS, EAM, asset management, asset performance management, and more! What matters to your team, various aspects of change management, and where the impacts show up when this is done properly – we cover all of it!!

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by Mike Konrad Leave a Comment

RM 188: An Academic Look at AI in Electronics Manufacturing: Where It Works, Fails, & Why It Matters

An Academic Look at AI in Electronics Manufacturing: Where It Works, Fails, & Why It Matters

Artificial intelligence is being promoted as the next revolution in electronics manufacturing, but what happens when the people evaluating it aren’t traditional AI experts, aren’t software vendors, and aren’t selling anything?

Today’s conversation brings together engineers and professors who live at the intersection of education, reliability, and real-world manufacturing to separate meaningful progress from speculation.
Each episode brings together engineers, researchers, and industry leaders to examine best practices, emerging technologies, and real-world lessons, always with a focus on data, physics, Best practices, and long-term performance.

Today’s episode is a little different—and the setting couldn’t be better. I’m recording live from the Big Island of Hawaii, in Kona, at the SMTA Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium, better known as PanPac.

At PanPac, academia meets industry in a way that’s truly unique. Leading international universities join forces with CEOs, inventors, senior engineers, and decision-makers from around the world.
This is where the brightest research collides with the most pressing industry challenges — and sparks solutions that drive the future of electronics. I’m honored to be the conference chair, especially on this 30th anniversary of PanPac.

This episode is all about “AI in Action: Progress, Pitfalls, and the Future of Electronics.”
Artificial intelligence is becoming a frequent topic in electronics manufacturing—from inspection and process optimization to predictive maintenance and reliability modeling.

But rather than approaching this conversation from the standpoint of AI evangelists or software developers, we’re taking a different path.

My panelists are: Eva Hymes, Hayden Lee, Dr. Ron Lasky, Dr. John Evans, and Dr. Pradeep Lall.

None of today’s panelists claim to be AI experts. Instead, they are engineers and professors who sit at the intersection of education, engineering, and real-world manufacturing challenges. Their perspective is grounded in physics, data, reliability science, and decades of experience teaching the next generation of engineers—many of whom will be working alongside AI-driven tools whether they choose to or not.

Because all of our panelists come from academia, this conversation intentionally steps back from hype and buzzwords. We’ll focus on how AI is actually being used, where it shows promise, where it introduces risk, and where critical gaps still exist—especially in high-reliability electronics manufacturing. And because PanPac serves the electronics manufacturing community, we’ll keep this discussion connected to the factory floor, workforce readiness, education, and long-term product reliability.

We’ll also touch on broader societal questions, including how AI is shaping engineering education and professional intuition.

So if you’re looking for a grounded, thoughtful discussion on AI—one rooted in engineering reality rather than marketing claims—this episode is for you.

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by Mojan Sohi Leave a Comment

SOR 1155 Timely Reliability Thinking

Timely Reliability Thinking

Abstract

Fred shares insights from consulting with over 150 organizations on the perennial struggle between reactive “heroism” and proactive design. Mojan and Fred discuss the measurable benefits of investing in reliability early—such as reduced development time and lower warranty costs—and why 80% of companies still find themselves trapped in a “build-test-fix” cycle. ᐅ Play Episode

by Greg Christensen Leave a Comment

CR169: From Machine Shop to M&A and The Real Value of Maintenance with Mike Payne

From Machine Shop to M&A and The Real Value of Maintenance with Mike Payne

We talk with Mike Payne—owner of Hill Manufacturing and host of By the Numbers from the Making Chips network—about scaling businesses, valuing maintenance, and saving shops from extinction.

Payne shares how neglected maintenance can slash business value, why he’s passionate about helping owners exit successfully, and how his “integrated life” philosophy drives both productivity and purpose.

If you’re in manufacturing leadership, finance, or operations, this one’s for you.

Topics:

Maintenance & M&A
Business value multipliers
Shop acquisitions & strategy
Running a business like it’s for sale

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by Mojan Sohi Leave a Comment

SOR 1154 Modeling and Testing

Modeling and Testing

Abstract

Mojan and Fred discuss the benefits of using failure models with testing. They explore the delicate balance between theoretical analysis and physical testing. While robust design starts with analysis, they discuss how testing serves as the ultimate “insurance policy” for decision-makers and why understanding the “Confidence Stack-up” is essential for a product’s success.
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by Greg Christensen Leave a Comment

CR168: Make American Manufacturing Great Again at MAMGA.US

Make American Manufacturing Great Again at MAMGA.US

This week on CMMSradio, we meet Andrew Forbes — machinist, mentor, and founder of the Make American Manufacturing Great Again foundation (MAMGA). He’s building a pipeline of skilled workers through scholarships and hands-on training. If you care about the future of manufacturing, this episode is for you.

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by Ansumi de Bruin Leave a Comment

RH015: Drew Troyer & Chris Carroll / Unlocking Potential: Empowering People in Reliability

Drew Troyer & Chris Carroll / Unlocking Potential: Empowering People in Reliability

An in-depth conversation with Chris Carroll, CEO and co-founder of Mainstream, and Drew Troyer from Anglo American. Chris shares the origins of Mainstream and its unique approach to maintenance conferences that focus on both technical aspects and people-centric issues like change management and leadership. The discussion highlights how the conference successfully integrates sessions on meditation, yoga, and diversity to enhance engagement. Drew praises the conference’s emphasis on human factors and its innovative approach to fostering communication among attendees. The podcast concludes with insights into Mainstream’s future expansion plans, including a new conference in the UK.

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by William Crane Leave a Comment

RG004: Lubrication – The Most Important Task?

Lubrication – The Most Important Task?

Hello #reliabilitygang I hope you are all having a productive week. This weeks podcast we talk about Lubrication and why it’s probably one of the most important reliability tasks we carry out. We talk about the effects of poor practice and how damaging a poor lubrication practice can be. We talk about ways to improve practice and how these methods can increase the life of your machines. We also talk about a recent case study poor practice in lubrication caused a critical failure!

We would love to get your thoughts on this weeks podcast in the forum! You can access it below.

https://conditionmonitoring.co.uk/forums/
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by Greg Christensen Leave a Comment

CR167: Planning, Buy In and Blameless Fixes for CMMS Implementation Success with Alex Bolan

Planning, Buy In and Blameless Fixes for CMMS Implementation Success with Alex Bolan

In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Bolan from Digital Thinker Inc., fresh off the Streamline Asset Management User Conference. We cover a lot in a short time — from implementation pitfalls to training that actually sticks — with more in-depth episodes coming soon.

One thing Alex makes clear: successful CMMS implementation isn’t magic. It takes full-spectrum buy-in, effective communication, and a plan that doesn’t fall apart under pressure.

Start validation early — it’s about confirming the system, not checking every box.
Don’t skip planning — your project plan is your backbone.
Training should build confidence — show each role how it makes their job easier.
If your data’s a mess, starting fresh can save you in the long run.
AI can help, but only if your data’s meaningful. No shortcuts here.

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by Enrico Belmonte Leave a Comment

SOR 1153 One Sample Statistical Paradox

One Sample Statistical Paradox

Abstract

Enrico and Fred discuss a listener’s question about using a single sample for testing.
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by Greg Christensen Leave a Comment

CR166: AI on the Frontline in A Smarter CMMS with MaintainX

AI on the Frontline in A Smarter CMMS with MaintainX

In this episode CMMSradio talks with Roshan Satish, AI Lead at MaintainX, about how artificial intelligence is being thoughtfully integrated into maintenance workflows. They focus on empowering frontline workers, simplifying data tasks, preserving institutional knowledge, and enhancing CMMS usability—without replacing technicians. Roshan explains how their AI assistant uses real-world interactions, customer habits, and reliable sources to deliver helpful, validated support while avoiding common pitfalls like hallucinations or irrelevant answers.

Key Topics:

Embedding AI in technician workflows
Simplifying data entry and troubleshooting
Capturing knowledge from experienced staff
Ensuring AI answers are accurate and sourced

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by Christopher Jackson Leave a Comment

How to Model Switching Systems Perfectly

podcast episode with speaker Chris Jackson

Switching systems can be great. The idea is that we can use redundant components to extend the life of a system … and protect the ‘standby’ component from harm until the ‘primary’ component fails. To do this, we need a switch. This often means that we get better reliability than a ‘parallel system’ where both redundant components start wearing out from day one. By protecting the standby component with a switch, reliability can be greatly extended. However, the analysis of a switching system can be challenging. The switch can fail, and the standby component has different reliability characteristics in ‘standby’ and ‘operational’ modes. Many textbooks model switching systems using very basic assumptions to simplify the analysis. But … these assumptions are so inaccurate for most real-world systems that they estimate reliability to be worse than that of a parallel system! This webinar shows you how to model switching (and other complex) systems using Monte Carlo Simulation in Excel … to come up with a ‘perfect’ model to ensure that all that hard work that goes into designing a switching system is not missed by the subsequent analysis! [Read more…]

by Enrico Belmonte Leave a Comment

SOR 1152 Reliability Engineering Compentancies

Reliability Engineering Competencies

Abstract

Enrico and Fred discuss the essential or basic skills necessary to be a good reliability engineer.
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by Greg Christensen Leave a Comment

CR165: CMMS Implementation: Simple, Not Easy with Trent McJunkin

CMMS Implementation: Simple, Not Easy with Trent McJunkin

CMMSradio welcomes Trent McJunkin to CMMSradio for a thoughtful conversation on what makes CMMS implementations successful. They reflect on past and upcoming events while digging into real-world insights for getting maintenance systems right. McJunkin emphasizes that while CMMS implementation is conceptually simple, execution is complex—demanding alignment between technicians and stakeholders. Key points include avoiding common pitfalls, building strong business cases, training with purpose, and not letting the tool drive the process. The episode wraps with plans to continue the conversation during their June panel discussion.

Topics Covered:

Building stakeholder-focused business cases
Common implementation pitfalls
Documentation of workflows and requirements
Training strategies and technician engagement
Smart data migration and cleanup
Role of CMMS vendors and real-world experience
Preventive maintenance planning
Asset hierarchy optimization
Use of AI in CMMS
Feedback loops and follow-through

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by Dianna Deeney Leave a Comment

QDD 189: Karli Auble THRIVEs: Positive Psychology Meets Engineering Rigor (A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts)

Karli Auble THRIVEs: Positive Psychology Meets Engineering Rigor (A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts)

In our latest episode of our interview series, “A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts,” we delve into the human aspect of engineering with Karli Auble. Karli is a leader from the defense industry whose unique perspective integrates systems engineering with positive psychology.

With a decade of experience under her belt, Karli introduces us to her THRIVE Framework, a holistic approach for engineers to balance technical and human elements effectively.

About Karli

Karli Auble is an Engineering Leader in the defense industry who has over a decade of experience leading high-pressure teams. She is also a Speaker, Author, and Coach. With her combination master’s in systems engineering and positive psychology, she created THRIVE: a six‑pillar framework whose name stands for Thoughts, Habits, Relationships, Instincts, Values, and Environments. Karli contributed a chapter to the book Beyond the Pipeline, where she shares how engineers can embed THRIVE into their everyday lives.

What makes Karli’s perspective especially valuable for you (whether you lead a design team, drive R&D strategy, or advise high‑tech organizations) is that she translates human behavior into more reliable engineering design.

Karli’s Insights

1. Engineering with Human Error Codes in Mind: Karli emphasizes the need for engineers to recognize the ‘error codes’ in their own bodies, akin to the ones in technical systems. By paying attention to physical responses like stress or anxiety in high-pressure meetings, engineers can mitigate burnout and enhance decision-making.

2. Instincts and Environments: Two pillars of the THRIVE Framework discussed extensively by Karli are Instincts and Environments. She shares personal anecdotes and practical tools like ‘box breathing’ to manage stress and avoid ‘fight or flight’ responses during critical moments.

3. Improving Communication and Coordination: Karli touches on the necessity of fine-tuning communication, whether addressing team dynamics or engaging in conflict resolution. She shares strategies such as meeting follow-ups and environment adjustments (both physical and virtual) to foster healthier interactions.

Karli Auble’s approach, which seamlessly blends positive psychology with engineering principles, provides a refreshing perspective for professionals seeking sustainable success. By addressing both the tangible and intangible aspects of work, engineers can not only solve technical problems but thrive personally and professionally.
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