ROK Talk on drives
Episodes
Episode 24: What's Driving Faster Material Movement?
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Jim and Sam sit down with industry expert Michael Lennard to discuss how variable frequency drives (VFDs) support modern warehousing and logisti...
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: How VFDs are Advancing Tire Production
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of ROK Talk on Drives, we dive into thepowerful role Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are playing intoday’s tire manufacturing lan...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 22: The Big Drive Behind Mill Operations
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The next advancement in pulp and paper mill automation starts with smarter, more responsive motor control. In this episode, host Sam Shelly teams up w...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 21: Are Variable Frequency Drives the Secret to Smarter Oilfield Operations?
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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, en...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 20: It Starts with a Spark-Reinventing the Classic Motor Starter
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of ROK Talk on Drives, hosts Jim and Samwelcome special guest Bill Meindl, business unit manager at Rockwell Automation, to explore th...
ROK Talk on drives Episode 19: Safety First!
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ar...
ROK Talk on drives Episode 18: Corrosive Gas-You Might Not Know you Have a Problem
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
ROK Talk on drives Episode 17 : VFD Training-How Do You Overcome the Skills Gap and Onboard Talent Faster?
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
ROK Talk on drives Episode 16: Let's Come to a Happy Medium (Voltage).
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of ROK Talk on drives we welcome a very special guest , Navid Zargari, sustainability manager at Rockwell Automation and long time med...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 15: Cyber Security and drives-How will you protect your equipment from security risks?
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Autom...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 14: Your smart VFD has a lot to say. Are you listening?
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today our crew takes Andrew Hastert into the ROK Talk fold. He'll walk us through FactoryTalk® Analytics™ GuardianAI™ software from Rockwell Auto...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 13: The Epic Battle of In-Cabinet vs. On-Machine
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 12: Driving Change, Part 1 - How We Started Turning
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 di...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 11: Sustainability Part 2 - Beyond the Buzzwords
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 10: We're baaack!
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 A...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 9: Sustainability Part 1-Connecting the Dots from Drives to Sustainability
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Pelli...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 8: Not Another Boring Installation Guide Part Deux
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 g...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 7 Part 1: Not Another Boring Installation Guide
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Au...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 6: Happy 50th Anniversary CENTERLINE!
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode revolves around the center of the motor control universe--CENTERLINE MCCs! We brought in Elizabeth Allen and Diego Wilches to talk abo...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 5: May the (Total) Force be With You
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 4: Pack it in! Packaging Drives in Motor Control Centers
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Mark Ossanna and Elizabeth Allen of Rockwell Automation MCCs, join our hosts Jim Finiak and Neal Corbett. They will discuss packaging AC drives...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 3: Answering the Burning Question: Variable Frequency Drives or Servo Drives?
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 driv...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 2: Decisions, Decisions-How to Select the Right Medium Voltage Drive for your Application
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
ROK Talk on Drives Episode 1: Drives vs. Soft Starters Go Head to Head
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
ROKTalk on Drives
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From simple starters to complex drive systems, motors play a critical role in industrial operations. This podcast explores trends in drive technology,...