Do you have experience in manufacturing or industrial automation? Have you ever thought of starting your own business? This episode is for you! TAKEAWAYS Product Sales (01:00 – 12:00) Distributors, Manufacturers Reps and Online sales Services (12:00 – 19:30) Industrial electricians, panel fabrication, system integration, training and mechanical trades Machines and Systems (21:10 – 29:40) It can be difficult to organize small companies into categories Marketing Methods (29:40 – 32...

This episode was extracted from an open Zoom webinar held in September, 2025. The topic included a list created for possible subcontracting. Please contact me at www.automationllc.com if you want to be included. TAKEAWAYS Workshop Business Model (01:55 – 4:40) How Automation Workshops work, large system integrators What happens if projects aren’t bid? (4:40 – 6:00) Some of the items that may come up for bid About the list, categorizing integrators. (6:00 – 12:30) It can be difficult to...

Patrick Bunn has had an inspiring career, moving from plant maintenance into system integration, taking on ever more advanced roles solving problems and designing process controls. Hear how he started his company by subcontracting and picking up new customers. TAKEAWAYS How Pat got his start in technology (01:10 – 3:10) Patrick started his industrial automation journey as an intern at a railroad company in 2002 After graduation, Patrick worked at a steel plant for 9 years (...

Vlad Romanov has had an extensive career in industry from system integration in large companies to startups and entrepreneurship. He has built training platforms, created a successful podcast and now does digital transformation consulting. This episode provides tactical insights on automation-related business and serial entrepreneurship. TAKEAWAYS How Vlad got his start in technology (01:00 – 2:10) As a child Vlad learns hands-on electronics with his Dad. Electrical Engineering (...

How does a successful online training and coaching company get started? Hear how Stephen learned to program PLCs and turned a side hustle into a full-time job! TAKEAWAYS Where Stephen learned his automation skills (00:54 – 7:55) Stephen’s journey through university and his early experience working with PLCs . The founding of myPLCtraining (8:10 – 17:10) How a side hustle became a full-time job. Stephen’s marketing methods and teamwork (17:20 – 18:45) myPLCtraining organization ev...

Technical careers don’t always stem from an engineering background. Nikki Gonzales grew up working with embedded controllers and exposure to a startup mentality, going on to a career in technical sales, product management and the founding of Automation Ladies. *On August 18, 2025, only two days after this podcast was recorded, Nikki suffered the unexpected tragic loss of her husband, Nathan Gonzales. You can help Nikki by donating to mealtrain or gofundme at the links shown below. https...

What happens when a bottle plant puts its faith in relationships, grassroots innovation, and learning-by-doing instead of pricey, off-the-shelf solutions? Join Frank Lamb on Mastering the Machine as he chronicles a remarkable 12-year evolution at American Beverage Depot, where language barriers, aging hardware, and resourceful engineers become catalysts for creative upgrades—from pioneering PLC migrations to building one of the industry’s largest single-server Ignition platforms. It’s a real-...

Do you find yourself lost in a sea of automation jargon, unsure how it all connects to real-world expertise? This episode of Mastering the Machine is your roadmap: Frank Lamb outlines the foundational pyramid every industrial automation pro should know and shows exactly how to apply it to both new technologies and daily problem-solving. Through his immersive story of self-paced online courses, notebook hacks, and trial-by-fire learning, you’ll discover how to turn repetition into mastery—and ...

What is OT SCADA CON? On Mastering the Machine, Frank Lamb talks to some of the speakers and attendees of the second annual OT SCADA CON networking technical event held in Houston, Texas July 23-25, 2025. Hear how this conference breaks the mold of dry trade shows by providing opportunities to meet some of the drivers of industrial automation technology in person and learn a wide range of automation topics. Not to mention the awesome swag and raffle prizes! Avoid the FOMO. Are you planning to...

How did programmable logic controllers (PLCs) revolutionize industrial automation, transforming factory floors worldwide? On Mastering the Machine, Frank Lamb pulls the curtain back on the untold history of PLCs, tracing their origins from a General Motors brainstorm through global expansion, industry shakeups, and the relentless pursuit of reliability. He unpacks the technical prowess, daring design choices, and even the international standards that redefined how we build, connect, and...

Have you ever wondered how an unconventional start can lead to mastery in industrial automation and control systems? Frank Lamb shares his decades-long journey through the ever-evolving world of PLC programming, machine building, and automation training. From his early days without a high school diploma to becoming a leading expert in hands-on learning and industrial control systems, Frank’s story is packed with real-world insights and pivotal moments that showcase both the challenges and rew...

Ready to take control of automation’s future? In this short trailer, host Frank Lamb—automation expert and author of PLC Hardware and Programming and Industrial Automation: Hands On—introduces Mastering the Machine, a podcast for engineers, technicians, and automation professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve. Each week, you'll hear engaging conversations, expert insights, and practical strategies to sharpen your skills and navigate the complex world of industrial automation—from PLCs...