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Custom control panel design and manufacturing

Introduction

Custom control panels

When you apply requiring a custom control panel but don’t have the resources to design one in-house, you have to outsource. Ideally, you tell your chosen provider what you need and they take it from there, designing the panel and specifying the parts to go in it. If your provider can build your panel, they will put their purchasers to work, pricing parts from various distributors. If not, you have to find another provider to manufacture your design. Once the panel is complete, you then have to make sure it is installed, programmed properly and works with your system.

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Support

Support throughout the life of your panel

Innovative-IDM can work with you throughout the life of your panel, from design to retrofit. Not only will we design your custom control panel, we are a distributor for blue chip automation manufacturers and will specify quality parts in-house, cutting out the middle man. Our UL508A panel shop will then assemble and quality check your panel. We will program it and install it at your facility.

Our service doesn’t stop there. Your control panel won’t be new forever and will require troubleshooting over time. Our field service technicians are on call 24/7 to perform repairs and maintenance as needed. As components like drives or PLCs require upgrades, our technicians can help with your retrofit.

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Do you have a project for us?

Our expertise is accessible. Talk to us and make sure you’re headed in the right direction.

Please fill in your contact and project information and an Innovative IDM representative will be in touch with you shortly.

    Testimonials

    What our customers say about us…

    Thank you for providing us with a technician who was well trained, knowledgeable, driven to achieve results, and very customer orientated.

    Able V., Maintenance Lead

    Your technician was available when needed over the weekend, which is very important to our production, even though it meant pulling him away from his personal life and family. He always had a smile while working in our plant.

    Adrian H., Shop Supervisor

    I appreciate all the hard work and effort that you provided while Cyrus was away from the office.  Good customer service, or should I say “legendary customer service” is very hard to come by nowadays.

    Anwar C., Purchasing Assistant

    This is going to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship…..complete with tracking numbers without having even asked. Nice touch.  Much obliged.

    Angie F., Purchasing

    Customer service hotline

    Contact our LEGENDARY customer service team for parts quotes, information on your industrial electronic repairs needs, or for emergency breakdown service. Phone is answered 24/7.

    Blogs

    Recent Posts

    Give Yourself Peace of Mind with SMC Thermo-Chillers
    August 9, 2023by Britt Welch

    Give Yourself Peace of Mind with SMC Thermo-Chillers

    Contact us today to spec a chiller for any application! Laser and Machine Tools Welding Applications Food Products/Packaging Machines Semiconductor www.InnovativeIDM.com 877.906.2100
    Predictive Maintenance for the Semiconductor Industry
    January 25, 2023by Pepper Hastings

    Predictive Maintenance for the Semiconductor Industry

    Many of Omron’s predictive maintenance products are tailored to the semiconductor industry. Here are some quick benefits: The solutions monitor critical metrics like current, voltage, temperature, vibration, and insulation resistance over EtherNet/IP. You’ll be able to predict failures before they occur thanks to intelligent predictive algorithms. Your facility will have less downtime overall, whether planned...
    2023 Innovative-IDM Award Winners
    January 24, 2023by Kelly Orear

    2023 Innovative-IDM Award Winners

    Innovative-IDM is known for LEGENDARY Customer Service and what makes us LEGENDARY are those team members who go above and beyond what is required to help the company reach its goals. These LEGENDARY employees are recognized annually at our National Sales Meeting and Branch Kickoffs. Winners of these prestigious awards are nominated by company leadership...
    All-in-one inspection and code reading with Omron MicroHAWK smart cameras
    January 5, 2023by Pepper Hastings

    All-in-one inspection and code reading with Omron MicroHAWK smart cameras

    Are you struggling to configure multiple devices for code reading and inspection purposes? It just so happens that Omron’s MicroHAWK family includes powerful smart cameras that cover both needs at once! What’s more, all of this takes place within a single field of view. We like to help our customers simplify their applications so that...
    Omron’s F3SG-SR Light Curtain Success Story
    December 16, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Omron’s F3SG-SR Light Curtain Success Story

    Business need A company in the metal forming industry needed to find the right light curtain to safeguard a protected range of 55 feet around a purlin stacker while meeting tight deadlines and maximizing its customers’ uptime. Unique solution Omron’s F3SG-SR Series safety light curtain proved to be the right choice with an available sensing...
    Thank You, Tulsa!
    December 6, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Thank You, Tulsa!

    We hosted our annual Tulsa Customer Appreciation party last week, with food from Leon’s Smoke Shack. Our Tulsa-area customers are a loyal bunch, and we appreciate serving them all year long.Our channel partners from Omron, Nabtesco, SMC, Wago, and Wiegmann via Bell & McCoy were there to meet, greet, and show off techy stuff. Prizes...
    Omron Factory Drive Recorder Event Capture Software
    November 28, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Omron Factory Drive Recorder Event Capture Software

    The Omron Factory Drive Recorder combines Omron’s robust and diverse Industrial Camera line with a brand new Event Capture Software to achieve an incredibly simple to use and feature rich solution for companies looking to monitor automation for error detection and provide an easier way to record and evaluate potential problems The integration of Omron’s...
    Automaker solved downtime with Predictive Maintenance
    November 16, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Automaker solved downtime with Predictive Maintenance

    When a global auto manufacturer experienced multiple power supply failures with significant downtime in their plastic forming station, they decided to invest in Predictive Maintenance. To read their story, download this Omron whitepaper: https://assets.omron.com/m/50aef9e450fc6f1/original/S8VK-X-Automotive-Manufacturer-Success-Story.pdf
    Automaker
    November 8, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Automaker solved downtime with Predictive Maintenance

    When a global auto manufacturer experienced multiple power supply failures with significant downtime in their plastic forming station, they decided to invest in Predictive Maintenance. To read their story, download this Omron whitepaper: https://assets.omron.com/m/50aef9e450fc6f1/original/S8VK-X-Automotive-Manufacturer-Success-Story.pdf
    DC to AC Drive Retrofit – Webinar on Demand
    November 2, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    DC to AC Drive Retrofit – Webinar on Demand

    Do you have an older DC drive system in need of upgrading, but your motor is still in good shape or difficult to replace? You will benefit from this 40-minute no-cost webinar. You will learn about: *Differences of DC and AC Drives *DC vs AC performance considerations *Cost of Ownership Comparisons — You Will be...
    Fraud Alert: Be Aware of Bogus Orders
    October 27, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Fraud Alert: Be Aware of Bogus Orders

    Well, it happened again….and it will happen in the future. A person posing as a legitimate customer tweaks the email address/URL of a legitimate company by one letter or digit (in this case, an electrical wholesaler), then tries to have an order shipped to a “job site” that is not the known address of the...
    And it works, too!
    October 27, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    And it works, too!

    Innovative-IDM’s Lonnie Muse shown in his personal sandbox. Wheeeee . . . !!  
    Blog Headers Tell a History
    October 24, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Blog Headers Tell a History

    We just published a newly designed website. In looking through the archives, we ran across some of the old headers from days past on Automation NOW! and Innovative-IDM Behind the Scenes. Sure looks like those people were having fun. Wait. “Have Fun” is our fourth company goal. No wonder.
    Collaborative Robots from Omron and Innovative-IDM
    October 10, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Collaborative Robots from Omron and Innovative-IDM

    Omron TM Series collaborative robot have a built-in vision system and can easily deploy without integrating external cameras of software. They can redeploy to different tasks and applications with ease. Their simplified user interface makes programming intuitive.
    Fastest Typist of Random Words
    October 5, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Fastest Typist of Random Words

    How many businesses have two people named Aaron who can type ~85 words per minute? In an ad hoc fingers-on-fire typing competition this afternoon, fueled by email challenges and trash talking, Dallas branch’s Aaron Upton (86 WPM) toppled the long-time reigning champ, Anabel Simental of Dallas (82) and held off Tulsa’s Aaron Hanning (84). Upton...
    Live 40-minute, no cost Webinar – Predictive Maintenance
    October 4, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Live 40-minute, no cost Webinar – Predictive Maintenance

    Predictive maintenance refers to the use of data-driven, proactive maintenance methods that are designed to analyze the condition of equipment and help predict when maintenance should be performed. Join us Tuesday, October 18. What will you learn in 40 minutes? How Predictive Maintenance saves money & reduces unplanned downtime. How PM allows additional replacement time...
    Omron is Barcode Patent Royalty
    September 20, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Omron is Barcode Patent Royalty

    We know how important it is to build a traceability system around industry-ready technologies that keep pace with your fast-moving production line. That’s why we carry high-performance, IP65/67-rated 1D and 2D barcode readers from Omron Automation. As the inventor of the first laser diode barcode scanner and the DataMatrix barcode symbology, Microscan Systems became part...
    Should Chili Have Beans?
    September 12, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Should Chili Have Beans?

    Should chili contain beans? Not according to our two-time Houston chili cookoff champ, Richard Lewis, who repeated as winner again this year. “Chili does not have beans in it,” says Lewis. “If it has beans, it is a bean soup, not chili.” Fair enough. Lewis retained his peer-voted championship with a concoction that started with...
    Strange Looking DC Drive Turns Up in Repair Shop
    August 31, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Strange Looking DC Drive Turns Up in Repair Shop

    One of our field service techs recently served a customer in Austin, Texas, and picked up this 500V, 640Amp DC drive made by SSD. It’s in our Houston-based industrial electronic repairs shop. The drive is (was) controlling a plastic extrusion machine. We will fix it . . . but look at it.  
    SMC Pnuematic Parallel Style Gripper
    August 23, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    SMC Pnuematic Parallel Style Gripper

    SMC’s Series JMHZ2 is a compact parallel style air gripper. High rigidity and precision are achieved by integrating the guide and finger in one piece. Ask us about how this can integrate with our line of collaborative robots.
    Most Recalls are Because of Errors on Labels and Packaging
    August 18, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Most Recalls are Because of Errors on Labels and Packaging

    Did you know that errors on labels and packaging are the most common reason for recalls within the food and beverage industry? For food and beverage manufacturers, both internal and external traceability systems are very important for ensuring product integrity. Click here to learn how you can mitigate risk by implementing a comprehensive label verification...
    Safety Workshop Emphasizes Importance of Protecting Machine Operators
    August 12, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Safety Workshop Emphasizes Importance of Protecting Machine Operators

    Innovative-IDM’s Chicago branch and our channel partner Omron Automation recently hosted a Machine Safety Skill Builder Workshop. About 20 of our customers attended and walked away with valuable insight into safety standard compliance and the importance of implementing a culture of safety in every manufacturing facility. The big bonus for attendees was a tour of...
    Screw Down Wire Terminal vs. Wago Cage Clamp Wire Terminal
    August 8, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Screw Down Wire Terminal vs. Wago Cage Clamp Wire Terminal

    Let’s talk about the battle between the screw terminal and the Wago cage clamp. Why do people choose one or the other? Let’s just look at some of the basic facts. On the screw terminal, when you strip a wire and insert it into a screw terminal, the tightest that that’s ever going to be...
    Omron Thermall Camera Can Prevent Electrical Fires in Control Cabinets
    July 28, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Omron Thermall Camera Can Prevent Electrical Fires in Control Cabinets

    If left unchecked, poor connectors or failing components in your control cabinet can result in massive electrical fires. The K6PM thermal camera solution by Omron monitors control panels and other equipment to alert you when excessive heat conditions occur. Learn more here in this short video, or contact us to schedule a demonstration. #electricalfires #maintenance...
    Omron Proof of Concept Facility Available for Tours
    July 22, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Omron Proof of Concept Facility Available for Tours

    Innovative-IDM’s DFW branch is less than 30 minutes from Omron Automation‘s huge Texas Proof of Concept facility. Today, our Steve Falcone (far right) and Omron hosted Texas Instruments decision makers at the facility, where they toured a myriad of life sized application demos of Omron’s newest technologies. We can arrange a tour for your facility’s...
    Weintek HMIs in Stock for OEMs
    July 13, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Weintek HMIs in Stock for OEMs

    OEMs: Innovative-IDM can help with HMI needs. We have HMIs in stock in the US. Weintek HMIs communicate with Rockwell, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Schneider and most major brands. We are a distributor and maybe we can help you, too.
    Live Large, Live Free
    July 4, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Live Large, Live Free

    Happy July 4th from the Automation Now blog team! “He who drinks a fifth on the 4th may not come forth on the 5th.” — George Washington (not really)
    How to Choose the Correct Actuator
    June 30, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    How to Choose the Correct Actuator

    Hi, I’m Adam Ring with Innovative IDM. I wanted to share a couple of ideas of things to consider when selecting an actuator for industrial automation. First thing to consider is what is the speed requirement that you need to be able to move at. Also what kind of acceleration do you need? Is it...
    RELIEF! Obsolete Servo Controller Repaired
    June 28, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    RELIEF! Obsolete Servo Controller Repaired

    Our electronic repairs pro Dan Holmes received this card from a customer after he was able to fix an obsolete Jetter digital servo controller. Each controller is unique to its application in the facility, so we could not test it in our shop. After a few back and forths between Innovative-IDM and the customer, Dan...
    Yaskawa FP605 Drive for Fans and Pumps
    June 22, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa FP605 Drive for Fans and Pumps

    We’ve been a partner of Yaskawa drives for nearly two decades, so call us about the newest FP605 drive. Easy to install and easy to start up. Features in-box media, intuitive keypad, and software tools to take the drive out of the box and into the field as fast as possible. Find out more –>Here.
    PLC News: Compact Controller 100 from WAGO
    June 21, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    PLC News: Compact Controller 100 from WAGO

    Innovative-IDM can source PLCs from several of our vendors, inlcluding this new Compact Controller 100 from WAGO. It combines a small-scale PLC and remote I/O, providing flexibility for use in smaller applications. Use this device to interface with other industrial devices using protocols such as MODBUS, EtherNet/IP and EtherCat. The CC100 can be programmed using...
    Janitor Blows Up Electronic Board with Cleaner
    June 7, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Janitor Blows Up Electronic Board with Cleaner

    Our repair depot in Houston has done repair work on nearly 10,000 different part numbers over the years, including many AC motor controllers. Sometimes, our customers try to do the maintenance themselves, with sometimes disastrous results. Yet when you get notes like this from customers, you only can smile and be glad to help out....
    Memorial Day 2019, Remembering the Fallen
    May 30, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Memorial Day 2019, Remembering the Fallen

    The Springtime tribute to those fallen in battle, now known as Memorial Day, has been around since the Civil War era. In 1868, Union Major General James A. Logan declared May 30th as Decoration Day – the words in his order for military posts to decorate graves still ring true today: “We should guard their...
    Cobots Help Packaging Plant’s Production
    May 23, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Cobots Help Packaging Plant’s Production

    Why did a manufacturer of packaging solutions for global consumer and commercial markets decide to use Omron collaborative robots in their production process? Watch this video to learn about their journey.
    Deploy Cobots to Combat Staffing Woes
    May 20, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Deploy Cobots to Combat Staffing Woes

    In an environment where worker shortages continue to stifle output, automation is becoming more essential. Learn how incorporating the Omron TM collaborative robot from Innovative-IDM into your end-user operations can help you streamline repetitive tasks, reduce operating expense, minimize errors, and increase output. Check out more info here.
    Customer Service Pro Jay Arnold Takes a Bite Out of Crime
    May 20, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Customer Service Pro Jay Arnold Takes a Bite Out of Crime

    Fred “Crime Dog” McGriff averaged 32 homers a season during his 19-year major league career, which makes him a favorite at Innovative-IDM. Always vigilant of fraudsters, our customer service team members are rewarded with a McGriff baseball card for sniffing out nefarious “customers.” Houston customer service pro Jay Arnold is shown holding his newly acquired...
    Some Big Drive Energy in Our Houston Panel Shop
    May 16, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Some Big Drive Energy in Our Houston Panel Shop

    These are 4 x 1200A Drive Panels. Last week, our Houston manufacturing team laid all four of these massive custom N3R enclosures on their backs and stuffed each with a 1200A Yaskawa A1000 drives and a pre-wired back panel.  Once upright, two AC units totaling more than 3 tons were installed onto each panel. When...
    Programming an Omron TMCobot Is Easy and Intuitive
    May 16, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Programming an Omron TMCobot Is Easy and Intuitive

    A lack of programming experience doesn’t need to stop you from integrating robotics into your production process. The Omron TM Series cobot interface has simplified, visual flowchart-based software to ensure that even users with no prior experience can program it in minutes. And we have onsite engineers who can help you, too.  Learn more.
    Limited Floor Space? Collaborative Robots Can Fit the Need
    May 13, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Limited Floor Space? Collaborative Robots Can Fit the Need

    Looking to include industrial robotics in your applications, but restricted by limited space? Innovative-IDM can help. With the Omron TM Series cobot, you can retain a smaller footprint for your production facility and make more economical use of your floor space. We have a robot proof of concept center. Tell us about your application and...
    Cinco de Mayo Fun
    May 6, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Cinco de Mayo Fun

    We usually host our customer appreciation event on or around Cinco de Mayo but we held that event a week early this year. So yesterday, at HQ, we fired up the slush machine and had our own Margarita Appreciation happy hour event. Why? Because we could.
    National Pneumatics Day 2022
    April 27, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    National Pneumatics Day 2022

    Today is National Pneumatics Day, because SMC says it is. SMC is one of our product lines and the world’s largest supplier of pneumatic components for industrial automation, and it suggests you “celebrate” the day by: * Minimizing air leaks * Changing the element in pneumatic air filters * Reducing the supply pressure from air...
    Hello Chicagoland: Showcase Educates Customers on Newest Factory Pnuematic Technologies
    April 26, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Hello Chicagoland: Showcase Educates Customers on Newest Factory Pnuematic Technologies

    The Chicago branches of Innovative-IDM and SMC Pnuematics teamed Friday to host an Pneumatic Innovation Day. More than 40 of our customers and future customers saw a hands-on look at the latest factory pneumatic technologies and enjoyed a tasty McAlister’s Deli sandwich and fixin’s at the Schaumburg Hampton Inn. We plan to take this show...
    Houston Cornhole Winners
    April 12, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Houston Cornhole Winners

    Innovative-IDM’s Houston store hosted its 2nd Annual Employee Cornhole tournament, the second stop on the two-stop IIDM Cornhole Tour. Despite an influx of HQ employees who flooded the tournament in an attempt to take back the title lost in last week’s competition, H-Town again prevailed. Dick Harper (pictured in red) and Donny Clark went undefeated...
    Repaired and Refurbished Control Panel
    April 7, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Repaired and Refurbished Control Panel

    WE REPAIR INDUSTRIAL DRIVES: On the left is a prefab configured control panel that was sent to us for drive repair. On the right is pictured the same panel after we refurbished it. Our repair tech removed the “hamster habitat,” tidied up the wiring, and replaced the power supply, fans and filters. After the refurb,...
    Texas Water 2022
    April 5, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Texas Water 2022

    Our team is exhibiting at Texas Water 2022 in San Antonio this week. Sunbelt Power Controls is our line of pump control panels. If you are in wastewater, pond management or any water pumping related industry, we have pump power controls that could help you. Come see Dean Morris (left) or Mike Juarez through Thursday...
    Omron Techman Cobot Application Examples
    March 10, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Omron Techman Cobot Application Examples

    Here is a gallery of images portraying application uses and creative end effectors for the Omron Techman collaborative robot. Click on one image to scroll through the gallery.
    Texas Independence Day
    March 2, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Texas Independence Day

    Today is Texas Independence Day, the day Texas became a sovereign nation as the Republic of Texas and broke from Mexico. It’s an official holiday here in Texas — not the kind you get off of work from, but a holiday nonetheless. If you’ve ever been confounded about how to fly the Texas flag, just...
    Stay Ahead of Machine Downtime with a Predictive Maintenance Strategy
    February 22, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Stay Ahead of Machine Downtime with a Predictive Maintenance Strategy

    The benefits of preventive maintenance only go so far. At some point, manufacturers are bound to start missing signs of equipment degradation or driving costs up by replacing perfectly functional equipment on a “just in case” basis. Due to high maintenance costs, a skilled worker shortage, and the potential losses associated with unplanned downtime, a...
    Omron V440 High Resolution Code Reader
    February 3, 2022by Pepper Hastings

    Omron V440 High Resolution Code Reader

    New from Omron. The V440-F C-mount code reader‘s flexible optics ensure maximum positioning for the most challenging symbols, and direct part marks using high-performance algorithms. A high power dual-core processor, advanced functionality and the ability to read up to 400 codes in a single field, enable this multi code reader to be ideal for wide...
    ‘Twas the Monday before Christmas . . .
    December 27, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    ‘Twas the Monday before Christmas . . .

    ‘Twas the Monday before Christmas and all through the shift, an F7 in Waco had just spit the bit . . . A Yaskawa F7 drive, to be precise: the control board was causing issues and the our customer called us for field service help. We found a replacement control board at our repair depot...
    Wago E!Cockpit Trainer Explained
    December 1, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Wago E!Cockpit Trainer Explained

    Our East Texas sales engineer Jordan Yates reviews the hardware components and specifications of everything included in Wago’s e!Cockpit training module.
    Failing Components & Connectors in Control Panel Can Cause Fires
    November 23, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Failing Components & Connectors in Control Panel Can Cause Fires

    If left unchecked, poor connectors or failing components in your control cabinet can result in massive electrical fires. The K6PM thermal camera solution from Innovative-IDM by Omron monitors control panels and other equipment to alert you when excessive heat conditions occur. Learn more here in this short video:
    We Installed 42 Yaskawa GA500 micro-drives in JUST 12 HOURS from start to finish
    October 25, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    We Installed 42 Yaskawa GA500 micro-drives in JUST 12 HOURS from start to finish

    I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve seen or heard the success stories of Yaskawa’s Beat the Clock challenge. In a minute or less anyone can program a Yaskawa Drive with a ControlLogix to run through Ethernet/IP. A success story of our own happened recently when one of Innovative IDM’s Controls Engineers, Ky Anderson, and Lead...
    Prevent bypassing with the new D41 series safety door switch from Omron
    October 14, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Prevent bypassing with the new D41 series safety door switch from Omron

    Is your facility experiencing problems with safety interlocking device tampering? When employees bypass safety devices, they compromise machine performance and put themselves in harm’s way. The new D41 Series Type 4 safety door switch from Omron is a powerful solution to prevent device defeat and protect your team. As a single product family that covers...
    Help Wanted — HR Admin Needed Now
    October 5, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Help Wanted — HR Admin Needed Now

    Calling all Administrative Assistants Are you a go-getter with a positive can-do attitude? Highly organized team player? Are you often described as an overachiever? Innovative-IDM is looking for a detail oriented Rockstar to join our Human Resources Department. Launch your HR career in this HR/Admin pathways position. You’ll bring with you your stellar administrative assistant...
    State Fair of Texas Fountain Control Panel
    September 29, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    State Fair of Texas Fountain Control Panel

    State Fair of Texas/City of Dallas Esplanade Fountain control panel, shown in our DFW panel shop with the crew (Jason Scott, Adam Ring, Brad Swift and Chris Coler) who built it, summer 2009. The panel still is in operation 12 years later and plays a vital role in the daily Illumination Sensation show at 8...
    Our Control Panel Designers Can Save You Time, Money
    August 26, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Our Control Panel Designers Can Save You Time, Money

    Innovative-IDM has 508A panel shops at our locations. We understand that unified product height and depth lets you reuse existing panel designs. We can build your panels using Omron’s Value Design for Control Panels. Learn more here.
    5 Preventable Industrial Accidents (and how they could have been avoided)
    August 12, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    5 Preventable Industrial Accidents (and how they could have been avoided)

    Join us Tuesday, Sept. 14, 11 am CDT. Real-life examples of accidents that could have been prevented. You will benefit from this 40-minute no-cost webinar. Register NOW. You will learn about: *Are your workers at risk like the examples? *Circumstances that led to these preventable injuries. *Safety technologies available to everyone that could have saved...
    5 Reasons Barcodes Fail and How to Fix Them (Hint: Start with a high-performance reading system)
    August 12, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    5 Reasons Barcodes Fail and How to Fix Them (Hint: Start with a high-performance reading system)

    Poor quality barcodes — no matter the cause — result in no-reads. Once the cause of the barcode problem is defined, it can be addressed by taking simple preventive measures. A high-performance barcode reading system will ensure the best read possible and protect a company’s time and data. Omron published a highly-informative downloadable white paper...
    In-Person PLC Training, Tulsa, Sept. 14 & 15
    August 2, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    In-Person PLC Training, Tulsa, Sept. 14 & 15

    This is a two-day class, plus you get to keep the hardware. Email us to register today. Seats are limited to about 10.
    Omron ‘Operation Automation’ Podcast
    July 16, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Omron ‘Operation Automation’ Podcast

    Omron jumped into the podcast world earlier this summer with its “Operation Automation” series. You can find it on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audible.com and many other podcast platforms. Check it out here. https://lnkd.in/dXWxFxZ
    Tulsa PLC Training IN PERSON Sept. 14-15
    July 15, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Tulsa PLC Training IN PERSON Sept. 14-15

    Back from the pandemic — IN PERSON training classes. Limited to 6-8 seats per session. This is a two-day class. Contact us at [email protected] to save your seat in Tulsa. They will go fast.
    Live Large, Live Free
    July 4, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Live Large, Live Free

    Happy July 4th from the Automation Now blog team! “He who drinks a fifth on the 4th may not come forth on the 5th.” — George Washington (not really)
    Connecting Yaskawa VFD to Allen Bradley PLC in 60 Seconds
    June 29, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Connecting Yaskawa VFD to Allen Bradley PLC in 60 Seconds

    A lot of videos are circulating about how in 60 seconds you can connect a Yaskawa VFD Drive to an AB PLC using the Studio 5000 Logix Designer software. Yet most of the vids don’t SHOW the step-by-step “how to”. This video should help.
    Bin Picking and Palletizing with Omron Cobot
    June 23, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Bin Picking and Palletizing with Omron Cobot

    The Omron TM collaborative robot, available from Innovative-IDM, when equipped with the new 3D vision camera, is able to pick up known objects with random overlapping positions out of a bin. Traditionally, this was difficult to automate because of varying weights, shapes and orientations of objects that require 3D location and different forces during picking....
    Traceability in Food and Beverage Packaging (White Paper from Ormon)
    June 15, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Traceability in Food and Beverage Packaging (White Paper from Ormon)

    In the food and beverage packaging industry, authenticity is essential. Since both public health and consumer satisfaction depend so heavily on product integrity, the food and beverage packaging industry is highly regulated. Traceability is mandated by food and beverage regulation. Omron’s laser markers, inspection verifiers, code readers and controllers cover the spectrum of traceability solutions....
    DC to AC Drive Retrofit Benefits: No-Cost Webinar June 8
    June 3, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    DC to AC Drive Retrofit Benefits: No-Cost Webinar June 8

    Join us Tuesday, June 8, 11 am CDT. Do you have an older DC drive system in need of upgrading, but your motor is still in good shape or difficult to replace? You will benefit from this 40-minute no-cost webinar. Register NOW. You will learn about: *Differences of DC and AC Drives *DC vs AC...
    May Day
    May 1, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    May Day

    Today at our morning hoopla meeting (right), we danced around the Innovative-IDM Maypole to celebrate several things. the end of April May Day Our customers we are free the fact that May Day and Mayday have very different meanings Now if you believe all of that malarkey, consider this. We really do have a customer...
    Power Measurement in Your Modern Facility: No-Cost Webinar May 4
    April 22, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Power Measurement in Your Modern Facility: No-Cost Webinar May 4

    Anyone in plant maintenance, management or machine systems designers should be versed in the fundamentals power measurement. Not only are there compliance issues, there is money and energy to be saved. This webinar will provide you with the basics of how you can have increased insight int energy consumption by specific machines and systems, as...
    White Paper: Reducing Down Time Using Machine Safety
    April 8, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    White Paper: Reducing Down Time Using Machine Safety

    (Omron machine safety white paper) Today’s manufacturers are under pressure to be more flexible, reduce downtime, increase efficiency and, above all, keep personnel safe from injury and even worse. These efforts are complicated by yet another requirement: the successful management of external influences. These factors are difficult to predict. And when their true effects become...
    Upgrade Your Existing DC Motor System
    April 7, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Upgrade Your Existing DC Motor System

    I’ve spent three decades working with industrial drive- and PLC-centric production processes. Much has been written and talked about replacing DC systems with AC drives and systems. However, your production process might require you to retain your DC system. If the DC motor is in good shape but you need to upgrade the drive, then...
    Happy Birthday Innovative-IDM
    April 3, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Happy Birthday Innovative-IDM

    From the Vault: April Fools Fun at Innovative-IDM circa 2009
    April 1, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    From the Vault: April Fools Fun at Innovative-IDM circa 2009

    From the I-IDM vaults comes this timely, 30-second classic from 2009. After all, No. 4 of our four Company Goals is to “Have Fun!”
    VFDs for Your Modern Facility: No-Cost Webinar April 6
    March 26, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    VFDs for Your Modern Facility: No-Cost Webinar April 6

    Join us Tuesday April 6, 11 am CST. Anyone responsible maintaining, upgrading or designing automation equipment would benefit from attending VFDs for Your Modern Facility, a 40-minute no-cost webinar about the advantages of deploying Variable Frequency Drives in your facility. Register NOW. You will learn about: *VFD applications you must consider *Drawbacks of across the...
    How to Take Advantage of an Electric Power Take-Off
    March 24, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    How to Take Advantage of an Electric Power Take-Off

    Ancillary implements on work trucks, like a crane shown here, normally are powered by an idling truck engine. Trends point to greener solutions like a DC-powered motor from Parker. With the increased emphasis to reduce emissions, air pollution, resource waste and traffic noise, government legislation is pushing towards the use of electric power to drive...
    Welcome Jordan Yates
    March 16, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Welcome Jordan Yates

    We’ve added several new teammates in Q1. Welcome Jordan Yates to our Dallas team where she is enduring sales engineer training for the coming months. Jordan’s first introduction to Innovative-IDM was via webcam with Mike Zimmerman at Texas Tech’s career fair in September.  She eventually was interviewed in-person by Klent Prewitt and Mason Godwin in...
    Beware the Ides of March: The 2,065th Anniversary of Caesar’s Assassination
    March 15, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Beware the Ides of March: The 2,065th Anniversary of Caesar’s Assassination

    “Beware, the Ides of March.” That was the soothsayer’s warning to his Emperor. And so on March 15, 44 B.C, Caesar was assassinated, shanked 23 times by his close friends. Caesar was 55. The words, “And you, too, Brutus?” have become Shakespearean symbolism for the ultimate betrayal. There is very little evidence of any industrial...
    Webinar On Demand: Servo Sizing Demystified
    March 11, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Webinar On Demand: Servo Sizing Demystified

    If you missed our LIVE webinar on Sizing Servo Motors, you can learn on demand at your convenience. 
    Key trends in automated material handling
    March 10, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Key trends in automated material handling

    Automation has made an accelerated climb in material handling applications. Now, automated material handling systems handle a wide range of repetitive and precision tasks in manufacturing and supply chains. Among the key trends are: *Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) * Automated guided vehicles (AGVs0 * Material handling robots * EOAT * Improved battery technology...
    Welcome Mike Juarez
    March 9, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Welcome Mike Juarez

    We added several new teammates in Q1. Please welcome back Mike Juarez to our San Antonio team. Mike grew up in Hanford, Calif., which is about half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco and earned his Mechanical Engineering degree at Cal State Fresno, home of the Bulldogs. If his his face seems familiar, Mike...
    ‘First Flag’ Over Texas — Texas Independence Day
    March 2, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    ‘First Flag’ Over Texas — Texas Independence Day

    Every month at our Texas HQ on flagpole #3, we rotate a flag of one of the United States military branches. Today, on Texas Independence Day, we honor the patriots of the Republic of Texas. In 1836 on March 2, delegates representing Mexican Texas officially declared independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas....
    Welcome Jayson Smith
    March 1, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Welcome Jayson Smith

    We’ve added several new teammates in Q1. Welcome to Jayson Smith, who is attending sales engineer training in our Dallas office for the coming months. Jayson first heard about Innovative-IDM several years ago at a Texas Tech career fair. “I had talked to Mason (Godwin) a couple of career fairs ago but I didn’t have...
    Demystifying Servo Sizing — No-Cost Webinar March 9
    February 25, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Demystifying Servo Sizing — No-Cost Webinar March 9

    Anyone responsible for maintaining, upgrading or designing automation equipment would benefit from SERVO SIZING DEMYSTIFIED, a 40-minute no-cost webinar on Tuesday, March 9. Register NOW. You will learn about: *Common mistakes when sizing servos *Common servo applications — are your taking advantage of the technology? *Gearboxes and why they are so important in servo sizing...
    Snowy Yet Open
    February 17, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Snowy Yet Open

    Call us if you need anything. All branches (DFW, Houston, Tulsa, Chicago) are open to help customers. 877.906.2100 or [email protected]
    ‘Safety Fundamentals’ webinar — ON DEMAND
    February 11, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    ‘Safety Fundamentals’ webinar — ON DEMAND

    If you missed the Feb. 9 webinar, “Safety Fundamentals for Industrial Facilities” featuring Omron safety solutions, you can watch it on demand or start the video below. 
    Power Outage Instructional Video
    February 11, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Power Outage Instructional Video

    In this video, Innovative IDM employees are shown what to do in the event of a power outage.
    Yaskawa AC Drive Transition Guide: V1000 to GA500
    February 8, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa AC Drive Transition Guide: V1000 to GA500

    The GA500 is available and will replace the V1000. Download the drive transition guide or give us a call to discuss the details. The guide is to help you replace Yaskawa V1000 series AC drives with Yaskawa GA500 AC drives. Replacement should be conducted by qualified personnel familiar with AC drive installation — Innovative-IDM has...
    Saving Money Saving Regenerative Energy — White Paper & Video
    February 3, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Saving Money Saving Regenerative Energy — White Paper & Video

    Maintaining highly efficient operation is important in today’s industrial market. Users are searching for ways to not only make systems operate efficiently, but also save money. Save money by saving regenerative energy. Download this white paper on regenerative energy from Yaskawa Drives. Also, a brief video on regenerative energy in a motor from Innovative-IDM.
    Machine and Facility Safety Fundamentals — Webinar Feb. 9
    January 28, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Machine and Facility Safety Fundamentals — Webinar Feb. 9

    Anyone responsible for protecting employees would benefit from Omron’s safety experts. This 40-minute webinar on Safety Fundamentals is an easy way to learn and could help avoid disaster.  Register NOW. You will learn about: Regulatory requirements and safety standards Safety risk assessment and reduction tactics ROI potential of Safeguarding Safety resources and product solutions
    2021 Innovative-IDM Award Winners
    January 22, 2021by Kelly Williams

    2021 Innovative-IDM Award Winners

    Innovative-IDM is The Home of the LEGENDARY Customer Experience. Everyone on our team strives to exceed our customers’ expectations daily. Once a year, we honor teammates who have demonstrated above and beyond efforts to help customers and teammates.  Below are this year’s award winners: President’s Club (Peer Award) – To recognize you as a consistent over-achiever...
    Yaskawa GA800 Drive — How to Set Up
    January 21, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa GA800 Drive — How to Set Up

    The Yaskawa GA800 drive provides the ultimate combination of power, ease of use, flexibility, and performance. It has exceptional torque production and precise control. You’ll enjoy effortless setup with GA800’s high-resolution display and connection to your favorite mobile device. Here’s how to set it up. Or we can do it for you.
    Aluminum Extrusion Assemblies
    January 8, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    Collaborative Robot Safety — Omron Whitepaper

    Collaborative robots like to work around people. And that’s why manufacturing decision makers are increasingly using them in the workplace. They use collision detection technology and other features that limit their power and force capabilities to levels suitable for contact with humans. Still, collaborative robots and other types of robots need safety assessments to assure...
    The US Army Rolls Along in January at Innovative-IDM HQ
    January 4, 2021by Pepper Hastings

    The US Army Rolls Along in January at Innovative-IDM HQ

    A new month means a changing of the guard on flagpole #3 at our Lewisville, Texas, HQ. Army veteran Danny Causey (right) from our IT department was the honorary flag raiser and assisted our director of flag services, Carlos Arriaga. Several Army veterans in our HQ office were unable to attend the ceremony, including field...
    Holiday Parties Help Flush 2020
    December 17, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Holiday Parties Help Flush 2020

    After 11 months of 2020, we were ready for a party to celebrate our perseverance. We are confident that Jay Arnold, who won the big TV in Houston, will be binge watching The Marvelous Maisel instead of Aggie football. Innovative-IDM Holiday Parties from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Soft Start Pnuematic Valves Can Avoid Machine Wear – White Paper
    December 17, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Soft Start Pnuematic Valves Can Avoid Machine Wear – White Paper

    A machine is subject to premature wear when it’s pressurized with compressed air after a scheduled shut-down. The surge in air pressure will create rapid movements in the actuators. That can cause premature wear or escalate into a hazardous situation. Download our white paper on how simply using SMC soft start valves can help your...
    High Dew Point in Factory Air Puts Equipment at Risk – White Paper
    December 15, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    High Dew Point in Factory Air Puts Equipment at Risk – White Paper

    To increase protection of expensive automation equipment, factory compressed air must remove as much water vapor as possible. That is done by lowering the dew point. (Download White Paper: Lowering Dew Point to Protect Expensive Automation Equipment) from SMC Pneumatics. Moisture in facility airlines can cause corrosion, rust and pipe scale which can break loose...
    Fleet of Field Service Vehicles
    December 15, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Fleet of Field Service Vehicles

    We just took delivery on the first four of our new fleet of Field Service and Repairs trucks. This first group is headed to our Houston facility to serve H-Town customers. Vehicles for other branches coming in early 2021. Note: QR code downloads a Vcard to your phone to easily contact us for industrial repairs...
    United States Space Force Flies on Flagpole 3 in December
    December 1, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    United States Space Force Flies on Flagpole 3 in December

    Replacing the flag of the USMC on HQ flagpole No. 3, we present to you the flag of the United States Space Force, established Dec. 20, 2019. Characteristic of our democracy, Carlos Arriaga, a Marine (right) and interim Director of Ceremonies, Pomp and Circumstance, facilitated the peaceful transition of power this morning. Todd Mueller, not...
    Nov. 10 – The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
    November 10, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Nov. 10 – The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

    Today marks the 45th anniversary of the wreck of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, in near hurricane force West winds. Serving the Great Lakes industrial factories shuttling iron ore between ports, the ship was the largest on the Great Lakes when launched in 1958. In many ways, the catastrophe that claimed all 29...
    Happy Birthday Marines
    November 10, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Happy Birthday Marines

    Flying on our third flagpole at HQ this month is the red banner of the United States Marine Corps, founded on this date in 1775. Dallas branch teammate and Marine Carlos Arriaga (left), who formerly served active duty, did the honors of hoisting the USMC flag. Happy Birthday Marines. With Veterans Day coming on Wednesday,...
    Sunbelt Power Controls: Another Happy Customer
    October 8, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Sunbelt Power Controls: Another Happy Customer

    Did you know Innovative-IDM specializes in wastewater and other water flow applications? One of our lines is Sunbelt Power Controls — off-the-shelf and custom pump control panels and systems. We just helped a local university with their parking lot runoff application. IIDM’s Sunbelt specialist Dean Morris helped the customer with the project. From:  James Sent:...
    Custom Parker Actuators for Platform Guardrail Application
    October 7, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Custom Parker Actuators for Platform Guardrail Application

    We are supplying some custom Parker actuators to one of our customers. Their project was to rebuild this platform structure where workers balance helicopter blades — adjusting the pitch of the blades on a helicopter rotors. The actuators lift and lower the guard rails where operators make their adjustments to the rotors.  The installation is...
    SMC + IIDM = Chicago Branch Drive-Thru Picnic
    October 6, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    SMC + IIDM = Chicago Branch Drive-Thru Picnic

    Innovative-IDM recently was authorized to stock and distribute SMC pneumatics components in the Chicago market. Innovative-IDM in Carol Stream on Monday hosted its SMC brethren for an outdoor, drive-by cookout, complete with individually wrapped brats, dogs and burgers. IIDM neighbors also dropped by to enjoy the cooking of Ed Hyer and Chicago branch manager Tim...
    Another Happy Customer — Up and Running Again
    August 25, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Another Happy Customer — Up and Running Again

    Another happy customer of our Houston Field Service crew. Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 11:44:25 AM To: Jeremy Morgan <[email protected]> Subject: Electrical Work Perform on Parker Drive Cabinets I just wanted to give you feed back on the work performed here last week. Dick Harper & Chris Crisco both contributed to the successful return to...
    Another Happy Industrial Repairs Customer
    July 1, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Another Happy Industrial Repairs Customer

    Our latest industrial drive maintenance (IDM) customer is a Houston area steel processor who recently had a 300HP Allen-Bradley VFD on his leveler machine go down for almost a week. It’ s part of his blanking line. The customer had been using another field service company to service his equipment, but that group fried the...
    Vicious Alien Prank from 2010
    June 4, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Vicious Alien Prank from 2010

    It’s been exactly 3,579 days since I pulled this cockamamie revenge prank on my teammate Britt. Nearly 10 years later, this prank is in active status.
    Customer Down. We Go the Extra Mile — about 270 of them — to fix it.
    May 28, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Customer Down. We Go the Extra Mile — about 270 of them — to fix it.

    Late yesterday, our Dallas-based customer had a Yaskawa F7 drive generating error codes. Their bottling line was down. Customer called us to see if we could send someone to look at it immediately. One of our sales engineers, Mason Godwin, walked through the error codes over the phone with the customer and determined there was...
    MVP – Making Values a Priority
    May 12, 2020by Kelly Williams

    MVP – Making Values a Priority

    Huge shout out to Alberto, Andres, Brandt, Carolyn, Ed, Jay, Jeremy, Luke, Nathan and Tracy for making values a priority. They gave their time last Friday at KIDS’ MEALS packing over 1,200 lunches for kids in need. KIDS’ MEALS delivers an estimated 7,000 meals every weekday to preschool-aged children in 43 Houston area zip codes.
    Safety Monitoring Relays & Industrial Safety Components
    April 23, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Safety Monitoring Relays & Industrial Safety Components

    Move your cursor over the video slide bar to skip to specific topic in the video.
    Wittenstein Gearboxes and Configurator Demo
    April 15, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Wittenstein Gearboxes and Configurator Demo

    There are chapters in the timeline you can hover on for easy reference. 
    Another Happy Customer
    April 8, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Another Happy Customer

    Here’s another email we received last month about our industrial electronics repairs service. From: Michael Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:55 PM To: Jeremy Morgan <[email protected]> Subject: IMPORTANT! Hey Jeremy, Hope You’re Doing Good Innovative IDM and Jeremy Morgan have been a great partner with us in helping keep our customers up and running. As...
    Chicken Fajita
    April 8, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Chicken Fajita

    If you understand this, you’ll probably also understand this, but maybe not.
    Ansel Adams? No, Innovative Automation in Houston.
    March 31, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Ansel Adams? No, Innovative Automation in Houston.

    This photo seems to depict a romantic tale of Depression-era rail riding, when migrating workers known as Hobos rode the rails following the crop harvest southward. Coffee and vittles at dusk — with maybe a homemade pie from a local sympathizer — were the end to many nights for the vagabonds of the 1930s. In fact, this is...
    How Does One Pronounce Wittenstein?
    March 25, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    How Does One Pronounce Wittenstein?

    Ever since Alpha gears changed its name to Wittenstein, Texas regional sales engineer Chuck Carr our staff has been biting his nails grappling with how to pronounce the name. Is it Witten-steen? Or is it Witten-styne? Wittenstein’s Miriam Metcalf said that “it depends on what country you live in.” Well, we live in a country called Texas,...
    Update from Innovative-IDM Concerning COVID-19 — March 24
    March 24, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Update from Innovative-IDM Concerning COVID-19 — March 24

    To Our Valued Customers and Partners, We have reviewed the “stay at home/work safe” orders of all affected Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas municipalities issued. The definition of “Essential Businesses” are parallel in all of the judges’ orders. Innovative-IDM is one of those”essential services” businesses as defined by the laws of the shelter-in-place states and cities...
    Reason #102 to Work at Innovative: Decorative Decanters
    March 18, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Reason #102 to Work at Innovative: Decorative Decanters

    Ask us for a quote on a project and we’ll turn it around quick. We just completed one and won a job to help with a major water fountain project at a City of Dallas landmark facility. Also, when we actually work on quotes, we have lavish wine decanters and blue, plastic roses present for...
    PLC Training Houston April 20 & 21
    March 13, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    PLC Training Houston April 20 & 21

    The PLC training is tailored for those who have hands-on work experience in programming and installing PLC or PC based industrial control systems. Attendees should know about basic electronics, i.e. voltage, current and power relationships, and a basic knowledge of programming concepts. The class will be at Innovative-IDM’s training facility in NW Houston (near 249...
    Machine Frame Solution: Parker Extruded Aluminum Framing and Innovative Know-How
    March 11, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Machine Frame Solution: Parker Extruded Aluminum Framing and Innovative Know-How

    We have a customer that manufactures document sorting machines. They needed some solutions for frame design and assembly. Innovative’s Lonnie Muse and a team led by Jason Scott designed and helped modify these bracket assemblies made from Parker extruded aluminum frame. Innovative has shipped dozens of these custom made frames to the customer over the last few...
    Electronic Component Repairs Made Easy at Innovative Repairs
    March 4, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Electronic Component Repairs Made Easy at Innovative Repairs

    Servos, AC drives, DC drives, circuit boards, touch screens, PLCs, VFDs, any make, any model. No charge for pick up. No evaluation fees. You decide whether to fix, replace or trash. It’s that easy. Innovative electronic component repairs. Call today for a free pick up. 877.906.2100 or email [email protected].
    PLC Training Oklahoma City — April 7 & 8
    February 19, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    PLC Training Oklahoma City — April 7 & 8

    Two-day class on basic and intermediate PLC. Plus you’ll leave with $230+ worth of hard equipment, including a leather engineer’s bag. This is a HOT class — Hands On Training — that will add value to your skill set. Invest in yourself and your career with training from Innovative-IDM. $449 for both days. Email [email protected]...
    Hydraulic Presses Improved with PLC and HMI
    February 19, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Hydraulic Presses Improved with PLC and HMI

    Overview: A manufacturer running 10 lines of molded plastic items suffered from poor productivity, inefficiency and a large number of operator errors. They needed an automated solution. Using a simple setup with an Omron PLC and Omron HMI, the manufacturer reduced wasted time and material and utilized his hydraulic presses to their full potential. The...
    Application Note: Going from DC Motors to a Synchronized System of AC Motors and Drives
    February 12, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Application Note: Going from DC Motors to a Synchronized System of AC Motors and Drives

    Overview:  At one company, there is what they call a brine box. There is a saltwater tank setup that slows an electric motor saw. Within this setup, they use three DC motors. They decided they would like to change the DC motors to AC motors. In addition to changing from DC to AC, they would...
    Omron PLC Training Tulsa – March 10-11
    February 11, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Omron PLC Training Tulsa – March 10-11

    Two-day class on basic and intermediate PLC. Plus you’ll leave with $230+ worth of hard equipment, including a leather engineer’s bag. This is a HOT class — Hands On Training — that will add value to your skill set. Invest in yourself and your career with training from Innovative-IDM. $449 for both days. Email [email protected]...
    2020 Award Winners
    January 30, 2020by Kelly Williams

    2020 Award Winners

    Innovative-IDM is known for LEGENDARY Customer Service and what makes us LEGENDARY are those team members who go above and beyond what is required to help the company reach its goals. These LEGENDARY employees are recognized annually at our National Sales Meeting and Branch Kickoffs. Winners of these prestigious awards are nominated by company leadership...
    3 Questions to Ask When Choosing an Electronic Repair Service
    January 29, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    3 Questions to Ask When Choosing an Electronic Repair Service

    Repairs: The Problem that Keeps You Awake You have a malfunctioning AC Drive, Circuit Board, DC Drive, Servo, Controller, PLC or other industrial electronics part. Where do you send it for service? How do you determine which repair service depot is the best fit for your situation. Your choices are varied. You can send it...
    Feb. 27 DFW – Omron Smart Manufacturing Tech Showcase & Workshop
    January 24, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    Feb. 27 DFW – Omron Smart Manufacturing Tech Showcase & Workshop

    We and Omron are hosting a FREE Tech Showcase and Workshop at Innovative-IDM’s DFW (Lewisville/Coppell) training center, Thursday, February 27. This event, held in several cities across North America, is FREE to design engineers, plant managers and others interested in IIoT and industrial connectivity. See below for all the details. REGISTER HERE! Spaces are limited....
    History Lesson in American Factory Automation and Controls
    January 22, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    History Lesson in American Factory Automation and Controls

    You may think of Parker Hannifin as gantry systems, extruded aluminum, hydraulics, etc. That’s all true, and more. This Cleveland-based multinational behemoth is one of Innovative-IDM’s blue chip channel partners — as big and talented as they come. But in 1918, Arthur Parker was just tagging along as a profiteering pilot fish to Henry Ford’s...
    We love Parker. You should love Parker, too.
    January 15, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    We love Parker. You should love Parker, too.

    Yes, we carry Parker products, like actuators and HMI and extruded aluminum. We love Parker so much, we wanted to run photos of lots of great Parkers.
    WAGO and Production Machinery
    January 8, 2020by Pepper Hastings

    WAGO and Production Machinery

    Production machinery used in the automotive industry relies heavily on continuous production. The reliability of individual components plays a large role in maintaining these expectations. WAGO products offer: -maintenance free connections -vibration-proof technology -gas-tight connection which encourages long-term stability while providing corrosion resistance and have proven themselves as an excellent choice in this industry for...
    Field Service Again Saves Customer from Pain, Headaches, Heartache and Worse
    December 30, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Field Service Again Saves Customer from Pain, Headaches, Heartache and Worse

    It’s easy to complain about bad service….you’ve probably done it recently. But it takes a WOW to motivate a customer to write an email like the one below sent to one of our sales reps from a Houston area client. Big time kudos from a customer for Jon Dutton, Innovative-IDM field service technician. From: “Michael”...
    IIDM Dallas Branch Holiday Party 2019
    December 26, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    IIDM Dallas Branch Holiday Party 2019

    Our crew at the Dallas office recently enjoyed some time together at their annual holiday party. Lots of door prizes, food, drinks and even a giant — and I mean GIANT – wine glass. Dallas Holiday Party 2019 from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    If the customer wants it, we won’t stop until they get it!
    December 23, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    If the customer wants it, we won’t stop until they get it!

    We recently had the opportunity to create a furnace control system for a customer.  We built the system using an Omron CJ2M Programmable Logic Controller and a Parker IPX series Human Machine Interface touchscreen computer running Windows XP Pro.  Part of the sales pitch was the system’s ability to send email and text message alerts if the furnace had a...
    Automation Invention Moment: Dec. 17, 1903
    December 17, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Automation Invention Moment: Dec. 17, 1903

    It was 116 years ago, that this happened. The Wright brothers made four flights in North Carolina on Dec. 17, 1903, the first by Orville of 120 feet in 12 seconds at a speed of 6.8 mph, recorded here in this famous photograph by John T. Daniels. Orville Wright at the controls of the machine,...
    Chicago Holiday Party 2019
    December 16, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Chicago Holiday Party 2019

    Our Chicago branch had another great year serving our customers in ChiTown. So naturally, we threw a Holiday Party to mark the occasion. Innovative-IDM Chicago Holiday Party — 2019 from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Building Bikes for Christmas and Kids
    December 13, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Building Bikes for Christmas and Kids

    In late summer of 2017, one of our core suppliers challenged Innovative-IDM and some of its other larger distributors to purchase, build and donate bicycles for local charities to give to kids at Christmastime. Our Culture Improvement Agency worked closely with Parker to secure the sources for the bikes and helmets. Three Christmases later, we...
    An Old Fashioned H-Town Holiday Party
    December 13, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    An Old Fashioned H-Town Holiday Party

    Our Houston crew and some of our supplier friends got together last weekend for a holiday party. Big thanks to the team at Whitmeyer’s Distilling Company for stirring up the trouble drinks. Check out the video to see how things unfolded. Lots of fun, frivolity, raffle winners and Old Fashioned fun. An Old Fashioned H-Town...
    Pneumatic Leak Detection Made Easy
    December 11, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Pneumatic Leak Detection Made Easy

    All pneumatic systems leak air, eventually. Learn how SMC pneumatics’ automatic air leak detection takes the guesswork — and time — out of finding leaks on your system. Step by step examples.
    4 Ways to Reduce Variable Frequency Drive Downtime
    December 4, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    4 Ways to Reduce Variable Frequency Drive Downtime

    Hi, I’m Jeff Rogers with Innovative IDM. Variable frequency drives are probably one of the greatest inventions in modern automation. If you aren’t using one of these things yet, trust me you will be soon. They’re always getting less expensive, easier to use, and the applications are virtually endless. Variable frequency drives are very instrumental in a lot of different applications and...
    How an AC Drive Works
    November 27, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    How an AC Drive Works

    Hi, Adam Ring here with Innovative IDM. I want to take a few minutes and explain a little bit about how an AC drive works. Really basic. First, we start off with the sine wave, an AC sine wave, typically three phase power or we can also use single phase power as well. So we...
    Another Happy Customer: Chicagoland
    November 12, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Another Happy Customer: Chicagoland

    Here’s an email received yesterday by our Chicago branch manager praising the work of Chicago controls engineer Jon Dutton. From: KF Sent: Monday, November 11, 2019 9:58 AM To: Tim Mueller <[email protected]> Subject: [one thing…] Tim, I just wanted to take a minute to express my gratitude for the time and effort you guys put...
    Most Industrial Accidents Are Avoidable. Not This One.
    November 10, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Most Industrial Accidents Are Avoidable. Not This One.

    While most industrial accidents can be avoided through the proper use of safety procedures and equipment safeguards, the one that happened 44 years ago today couldn’t. The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that made headlines after sinking in a Lake Superior storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the...
    Tulsa Customer Appreciation and Technology Showcase — Dec. 5
    November 8, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Tulsa Customer Appreciation and Technology Showcase — Dec. 5

    Join us for lunch and a whole lot of fun on Thursday, Dec. 5 at our Tulsa office (map here). Many of our factory reps will be there with their latest and greatest toys you’ll want to check out. Save the date, Dec. 5, NOON to 3 p.m. Drop by for a few minutes or...
    Clean Electrical Panels Save Money
    November 6, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Clean Electrical Panels Save Money

    Hi, I’m Adam Ring with Innovative IDM. You ever walked up to a control panel and it just looks like a complete rat’s nest in there? Do you ever wonder what would be the value in having a nice, clean control panel and how can that save you money? Well, there’s three main reasons: Number...
    Innovative-IDM Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
    November 5, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Innovative-IDM Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting

    Innovative-IDM moved into its new HQ office and UL501a Panel Shop on July 1, but we waited until late October to have our Grand Opening Customer Appreciation event. (We had a few things to fix in our new building before we were ready for guests.) We kicked it off with a ribbon cutting, and capped...
    Nov. 19 HOUSTON – Omron Smart Manufacturing Tech Showcase & Workshop
    October 30, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Nov. 19 HOUSTON – Omron Smart Manufacturing Tech Showcase & Workshop

    We and Omron are hosting a FREE Tech Showcase and Workshop at Innovative-IDM’s Houston office, Tuesday, November 19. See below for all the details. REGISTER HERE! Spaces are limited. Download brochure here.        
    Chicago Branch PingPongPhenomenonPaloooza
    October 24, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Chicago Branch PingPongPhenomenonPaloooza

    Earlier this month, some of our sales engineers were in the Chicago area for factory training at Omron, one of our core vendors of automation and safety. Some of the many Omron products popular with our customers PLCs, and safety solutions such as light curtains, e-stops, and safety monitoring relays. After Omron training, our Chicago...
    Michael Mueller Thrashin’ Out
    October 23, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Michael Mueller Thrashin’ Out

    Well, this was a few years ago, but always worth another look. Innovative-IDM‘s Dallas manufacturing shop manager, in a former life.
    5 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in a Pneumatic System
    October 23, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    5 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in a Pneumatic System

     Hi, my name is Andy Lewis and I’m with Innovative IDM. Today I’m going to talk with you a little bit about your air quality and your pneumatic system. A lot of my customers tend to have issues with debris in their air line, scaling from black iron pipe, water in their air line,...
    Tough Mudder 2019 (vid, 2 min)
    October 18, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Tough Mudder 2019 (vid, 2 min)

    Earlier this month, some of our DFW team met on a hot Saturday morning to slosh around in the mud. If they do it again in 2020, as they did in 2018, we might call Tough Mudder a DFW IIDM “tradition.”
    How Do I Retrofit a DC Drive to AC Drive
    October 16, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    How Do I Retrofit a DC Drive to AC Drive

    Visit Innovative-IDM’s knowledge center at: http://www.innovativeidm.com/Resources.aspx For more information Yaskawa Drives and VFDs visit: http://www.innovativeidm.com/manufacturer/yaskawa-vfd/ and http://www.innovativeidm.com/manufacturer/yaskawa_motion/ Hi, I’m Adam Ring with Innovative-IDM. The other day I was having lunch and somebody asked me “how do you go about converting from a DC drive system to an AC drive system?” I thought it might be a good...
    Yaskawa Application Overview: Rotary Knife
    October 9, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa Application Overview: Rotary Knife

    Click here for the full “Application Overview: Rotary Knife” from Yaskawa. The rotary knife is a common application in the packaging industry where many products are packaged using a seal-and-cut technique. Packaging is fed from a continuous roll and is formed into a tube around the product and the package is then sealed and cut...
    How to Control High Voltage Spikes
    October 2, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    How to Control High Voltage Spikes

    Hi, my name is Andy Lewis with Innovative IDM. A lot of the times when I’m out in the industrial sector, I find a lot of my customers have problems with transients aka surges, sags, or swells. Generally, what occurs here is due to your utility company who provides a power factor correction. Now this...
    Oct. 24 — HQ Grand Opening in Lewisville
    September 26, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Oct. 24 — HQ Grand Opening in Lewisville

    We DO know how to throw a customer appreciation party. Our DFW customers can look no further than Thursday, Oct. 24, for the next chapter of revelry and debauchery fun. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you are Dallas-Ft.Worth area customer and can make it. You can either come for lunch, or come to the after-work...
    It’s Official: Wheels Off at Club Innovative
    September 26, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    It’s Official: Wheels Off at Club Innovative

    The wheels officially flew off the vehicle at our morning meeting on Friday. After assembling at our normal 8:30 a.m. time, we were told we could not enter Club Innovative but instead were huddled in an adjoining room. We were advised to charge screaming into the room, a la some sort of cell extraction at...
    Why You Need to Backup Your PLC Programs
    September 18, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Why You Need to Backup Your PLC Programs

    Be sure to visit our knowledge Center – http://www.innovativeidm.com/Resources.aspx Hi, I’m Lonnie Muse with Innovative IDM. I would like to talk to you a little bit about why you should back up your PLC, but first I’d like to show you something. Something that’s really horrifying. Something that will just kill your day at the...
    Yaskawa Application Overview: Grinder
    September 10, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa Application Overview: Grinder

    Click here for the full “Application Overview: Grinder” from Yaskawa. Heavy cutting is done at slow speed. With a constant wheel pressure on the material to be shaped, the pounds/minute of material removed, or work done, varies with the wheel speed. This is the constant torque part of the profile. After the heavy cutting is...
    Hoopla Scottish Highland Games
    September 5, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Hoopla Scottish Highland Games

    Last week, Lonnie Muse hosted yet another Scottish Highland Games — and the first-ever indoor/outdoor games — at Innovative-IDM’s morning Hoopla at HQ. What happened? Hoopla – Scottish Highland Games from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Recruiting Season at Innovative-IDM, Aggie Style
    September 4, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Recruiting Season at Innovative-IDM, Aggie Style

    Our recruiting team is at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, today and tomorrow. We are recruiting Sales Engineer and Field Application Engineer candidates to come on board Summer 2020 or earlier. Later this month, we’ll be at career days at Texas Tech, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Northern Illinois University, Purdue and...
    Top 5 Reasons Allen-Bradley May Not Be Your Best Application Solution
    September 4, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Top 5 Reasons Allen-Bradley May Not Be Your Best Application Solution

    Be sure to visit our knowledge Center – http://www.innovativeidm.com/Resources.aspx Hi, my name is Jack Marsh with Innovative IDM. Today I’d like to talk a little bit about Allen Bradley and maybe perhaps why it’s not always the best solution for your application. Allen Bradley makes fine products, and they are quality products, and they’ve got...
    5 Most Common Reasons an AC Drive Ends Up Needing Repair
    August 28, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    5 Most Common Reasons an AC Drive Ends Up Needing Repair

    Be sure to visit our knowledge Center – http://www.innovativeidm.com/Resources.aspx Hi, I’m Lonnie Muse with Innovative IDM. I’m going to talk a little bit about AC drives this morning. These things are wonderful. They have come into being, they’ve lasted a long time, and there’s a real great need for them in our plants. But they...
    Theory X Management Tactic #48
    August 26, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Theory X Management Tactic #48

    Occasionally, management will make our largest employee hold his breath and try to fit into a small jumpsuit. This usually takes place after a softer than normal bookings month. Steve Lyons Sr. says, “Sell, sell, sell!”
    Battle Revisited: Bad Customer Service vs. Legendary Customer Service
    August 23, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Battle Revisited: Bad Customer Service vs. Legendary Customer Service

    Just yesterday, we did a battle of the air bands in Dallas Hoopla, led by Cool Jessi Bratcher. Yet this battle between good and evil originally was chronicled in a blog post from summer 2009.  “Bad Customer Service vs. Legendary Customer Service” is a Top 5 hoopla for me. It’s also one my favorite personal...
    The Advantages of Using Linear Servo Motors
    August 21, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    The Advantages of Using Linear Servo Motors

    Be sure to visit our knowledge Center – http://www.innovativeidm.com/Resources.aspx Hi, my name is Jack Marsh with Innovative IDM. Today I’d like to talk a little bit about the advantages of linear servo motors. A lot of people have never even heard of a linear motor and don’t know that that is. Well, a linear motor...
    Say Hello to Innovative-IDM New HQ
    August 20, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Say Hello to Innovative-IDM New HQ

    We’ve been at our Lewisville, Texas, location (which was built from the ground up) since July 1. Looks like most of the folks are getting the hang of working here. Building signs and address numbers are to be installed today. We also have stocking locations in Chicago, Houston, Memphis and Tulsa. Plus we serve the...
    Aluminum Extrusions Collateral Damage
    August 19, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Aluminum Extrusions Collateral Damage

    Parker Industrial Profile Systems recognizes Innovative-IDM as one of its regional design centers. The result is that we design, cut and assemble a LOT of extruded aluminum products. The collateral damage to all that fell on Jimmy Taylor, who is left to deal with the now-empty 20-foot heavy duty cardboard boxes in which the raw...
    Massive Control Panel in Dallas Shop
    August 16, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Massive Control Panel in Dallas Shop

    Look at this thing!  Built with love by our own Jessi Bratcher in the Dallas UL508A Panel Shop.  Great job, Jessi, keeping it Legendary for our panel customers. Our scale of operation and shop efficiencies mean we many times can build panels in less time and for less cost than our customers can do for...
    The Benefits of Retrofitting an Industrial Control Panel
    August 14, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    The Benefits of Retrofitting an Industrial Control Panel

    Be sure to visit our knowledge Center – http://www.innovativeidm.com/Resources.aspx Hi, I’m Adam Ring with Innovative-IDM. You know, when I walk through manufacturing plants, sometimes I’ll come across a control panel where you open it up and look inside and you see this technology that is like 30, 40 years old. So what’s starting to happen...
    Why You Should Use Cage Clamp Terminal Blocks
    August 8, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Why You Should Use Cage Clamp Terminal Blocks

    Hi, Adam Ring with Innovative-IDM. I wanted to take a few minutes and talk about the battle between the screw terminal and the cage clamp. So, why do people choose one or the other? Well, let’s just look at some of the basic facts. On the screw terminal, when you strip a wire and insert it...
    Chili Cook-Off 2019
    July 25, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Chili Cook-Off 2019

    This year’s Chili Cook-Off marked the 8th year of celebrating Independence Day with our Chilicheesemustardoniondogmania event. The Dallas CIA group sponsored the annual event, which was another success. Eight contestants entered and the reigning champ hopeful at taking first place of favorite chili. What kind of chili recipes were in the running? There were spicy,...
    The Omron TM Collaborative Robots Series.
    July 24, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    The Omron TM Collaborative Robots Series.

    Meet the Omron TM Collaborative Robot. This industry-leading solution for human-machine collaboration can take on a variety of tasks to support human creativity. Innovative-IDM can help you learn if TM Robot fits your application. We even have a robot lab where we can do proof of concept testing.
    Live Large, Live Free
    July 4, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Live Large, Live Free

    Happy July 4th from Innovative Behind the Scenes! He who drinks a fifth on the 4th may not come forth on the 5th.” — George Washington (not really)
    New Innovative-IDM HQ is Open
    July 1, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    New Innovative-IDM HQ is Open

    We have survived finished most of the construction on our new headquarters. Come see us.
    Chicago’s First BBG
    June 13, 2019by Kelly Williams

    Chicago’s First BBG

    On Monday, June 10th, our Chicago Team hosted their first Buzz’s Bar and Grill. Tim Mueller, Chicago Branch Manager, enlisted Ed Hyer, Company Grill Master, to help break in the new grill. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Spotted Cow, Ping Pong and fellowship were enjoyed by all!    
    Industrial Field Service Turns Rat’s Nest into Beauty
    June 11, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Industrial Field Service Turns Rat’s Nest into Beauty

    One of our field service techs recently encountered the infamous “rat’s nest” of tangled, unlabeled wires commonly found in inoperative industrial controls panels. If you need help, we can make your panel like new again, too.  See before and after pics below.                    
    Home of the Free, Because of the Brave
    May 27, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

    Pro vs. Joes: 400 Meter Challenge
    May 23, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Pro vs. Joes: 400 Meter Challenge

    It started as a hallway conversation. Our own Preston Ross was talking about how he ran the 400 meter event at Crowley High School. Claimed he ran a sub-one minute time. Todd Mueller said he could get three other guys from work and beat him in a relay vs. solo 400 meter challenge. So it...
    Customer Focused, Even on May Day
    May 1, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Customer Focused, Even on May Day

    Today at our morning hoopla meeting (left), we danced around the IIDM Maypole to celebrate several things. the end of April May Day Our customers the fact that May Day and Mayday have very different meanings. Now if you believe all of that malarky, consider this: We really do have a customer focus meeting EVERY...
    Yaskawa U1000 VFD Helps OEM Offer a Clean Energy Solution
    April 30, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa U1000 VFD Helps OEM Offer a Clean Energy Solution

    CHALLENGE A leader in cutting edge sawmill equipment since 1954, Cleereman Industries in Newald, Wis. They started out owning and operating a sawmill business and now are a manufacturer of a wide range of sawmill equipment that includes Carriages, Track Frames, and Trim & Grading Lines. Cleereman recently decided to redesign a rotary log kicker...
    Hardguard Protects VFDs from Contaminants
    April 24, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Hardguard Protects VFDs from Contaminants

    One of our sales engineers recently solved a problem for a customer in the oil and gas sector. The customer was running a horizontal drilling simulation and needed to keep particles and debris from getting into the cabinets and fouling the drives controlling the motors. The solution was simple yet effective: Extruded aluminum framing with...
    Buzz’s Bar and Grille March 2019
    April 15, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Buzz’s Bar and Grille March 2019

    Our Dallas office hosts a monthly lunch for employees. Good stuff last month. Company Lunch from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Forklift vs. Ford F150
    April 10, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Forklift vs. Ford F150

    It was a beautiful day in the summer of 2006 when our panel shop completed a panel that needed to be hand delivered to a customer that same day. We needed a truck so Tim Mueller, one of IIDM’s owners, volunteered his bright red F150. The truck was in pristine condition. Tim had to attend...
    I probably could have gone a lifetime without knowing this about OMRON relays . . .
    April 3, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    I probably could have gone a lifetime without knowing this about OMRON relays . . .

    . . . But since I found out, I can’t quit thinking about the fact that 1/5 of Omron’s total workforce — about 7,000 people — works on its electrical relays. Omron produces in excess of 800 million relays a year managed by a state-of-the-art facility in Japan, which is large enough to cover 30...
    Purchasing, Procurement, Accounting: MyAccount Saves You Time
    March 18, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Purchasing, Procurement, Accounting: MyAccount Saves You Time

    Introducing MyAccount from Innovative-IDM If you purchase parts from Innovative-IDM, you now can (24 hours a day): Check order status Find shipment tracking numbers Print invoices Check for stock availability View Sales Order History Request quotes Go to MyAccount and register today. You can add other users in your office and choose their roles. You...
    Beware the Ides of March: The 2,063rd Anniversary of Caesar’s Assassination
    March 15, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Beware the Ides of March: The 2,063rd Anniversary of Caesar’s Assassination

    “Beware, the Ides of March.” That was the soothsayer’s warning to his Emperor. And so on March 15, 44 B.C, Caesar was assassinated, shanked 23 times by his close friends. Caesar was 55. The words, “And you, too, Brutus?” have become Shakespearean symbolism for the ultimate betrayal. There is very little evidence of any industrial...
    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training OKC April 12
    March 14, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training OKC April 12

    Generic Class Syllabus: .25 Hours Yaskawa Intro. 1:30 Induction motor basics 0:20 Basic menu structure (Detailed look at Modified Constants) 0:45 U1 monitors (includes model number, drive selection, and connection diagram) 0:15 Initialization (Factory and User Defined) 0:20 Auto Tune 0:30 Lunch 0:30 divided between 2 breaks 1:45 Parameters from B to O 0:15 Read/write...
    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training Tulsa April 2
    March 6, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training Tulsa April 2

    Generic Class Syllabus: .25 Hours Yaskawa Intro. 1:30 Induction motor basics 0:20 Basic menu structure (Detailed look at Modified Constants) 0:45 U1 monitors (includes model number, drive selection, and connection diagram) 0:15 Initialization (Factory and User Defined) 0:20 Auto Tune 0:30 Lunch 0:30 divided between 2 breaks 1:45 Parameters from B to O 0:15 Read/write...
    Automatic Energy Savings with VFDs Saves Motor Life, Too
    February 26, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Automatic Energy Savings with VFDs Saves Motor Life, Too

    In most pump applications, motors do not need to run at full throttle to get the job done. Yaskawa’s Michelle Bartlelson reminds us that, on average, these motors can meet demand by running at just 70 percent of shaft speed. The additional system capabilities, she writes are usually reserved to accommodate future expansions or infrequent...
    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training DFW March 21 or 22
    February 20, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training DFW March 21 or 22

    Generic Class Syllabus: .25 Hours Yaskawa Intro. 1:30 Induction motor basics 0:20 Basic menu structure (Detailed look at Modified Constants) 0:45 U1 monitors (includes model number, drive selection, and connection diagram) 0:15 Initialization (Factory and User Defined) 0:20 Auto Tune 0:30 Lunch 0:30 divided between 2 breaks 1:45 Parameters from B to O 0:15 Read/write...
    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training Houston March 14
    February 15, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa A1000 VFD Training Houston March 14

          Generic Class Syllabus: .25 Hours Yaskawa Intro. 1:30 Induction motor basics 0:20 Basic menu structure (Detailed look at Modified Constants) 0:45 U1 monitors (includes model number, drive selection, and connection diagram) 0:15 Initialization (Factory and User Defined) 0:20 Auto Tune 0:30 Lunch 0:30 divided between 2 breaks 1:45 Parameters from B to...
    SMC Customer’s Reliability & Profits Improve
    February 5, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    SMC Customer’s Reliability & Profits Improve

    With Series IR Precision Regulators and Series AK Regulators Application: An OEM was experiencing inconsistent quality, yield and reliability in their production process. The cause was a manual adjustment of the emission of gases within their process. This manual adjustment resulted in inconsistent results. If the customer could automate this manual part of the process,...
    Buzz Sez #3 Winter 2019
    February 4, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Buzz Sez #3 Winter 2019

    What’s Buzz have to say about Innovative-IDM Behind the Scenes? Find out here, or click on the image.
    Anniversary Spotlight: Carlos Turns 4
    February 1, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Anniversary Spotlight: Carlos Turns 4

    Carlos Arriaga completed his fourth year with Innovative-IDM in December as the Dallas shop’s Quality Control Technician. Rolling into 2019, Carlos still holds that title, PLUS added Assistant Shop Manager to his duties. That promotion didn’t diminish his willingness help as a member of the Dallas CIA. In January, Carlos was nominated by his peers...
    2018 Company Awards (video)
    January 30, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    2018 Company Awards (video)

    In January our branches held individual 2019 Kickoff events to build momentum into the new year. We also recognized our top performers of 2018. The video below is NOT INCLUSIVE of all award winners, but all award winners are listed below the video. Congratulations to all! Innovative-IDM Awards – Top Performers of 2018 from Innovative-IDM...
    2019 Award Winners
    January 29, 2019by Kelly Williams

    2019 Award Winners

    Innovative-IDM is known for LEGENDARY Customer Service and what makes us LEGENDARY are those team members who go above and beyond what is required to help the company reach its goals. These LEGENDARY employees are recognized annually at our National Sales Meeting and Branch Kickoffs.  Winners of these prestigious awards are nominated by company leadership...
    Chicago Branch Holiday Party
    January 24, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Chicago Branch Holiday Party

    Our team in Chicago is now at 10. And yes, they know how to throw a holiday party, too. Watch below. Yes, those are aprons. chicago holiday party from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Dallas Branch Holiday Party Official Video
    January 18, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    Dallas Branch Holiday Party Official Video

    Fun times in Downtown Carrollton, Texas. Dallas branch Holiday Party – 2018 from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    VFD Training Class, Baton Rouge, Feb. 15
    January 17, 2019by Pepper Hastings

    VFD Training Class, Baton Rouge, Feb. 15

    Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to learn about programming Yaskawa A1000 VFDs. Lunch is included in the price of the class. Class is limited to 18. See typical syllabus below. Typical Class Syllabus: .25 Hours Yaskawa Intro. 1:30 Induction motor basics 0:20 Basic menu structure (Detailed look at Modified Constants) 0:45 U1 monitors (includes model...
    Innovative-IDM Build-a-Bike 2018
    December 24, 2018by Todd Tompkins

    Innovative-IDM Build-a-Bike 2018

    We have had another wonderful year here at Innovative-IDM so it is time to pay it forward. It has become a tradition at Innovative-IDM to purchase bikes, assemble them, and donate them to a great cause. In 2017, we purchased and assembled 26 bikes and donated them to the Santa Cop program in Flower Mound, TX. This year, we...
    Houston Branch Holiday Party 2018 (video)
    December 5, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Houston Branch Holiday Party 2018 (video)

    IIDM’s Houston Branch threw a holiday soiree in the depths of the Houston Zoo. Attendees were lucky enough to have free Zoo Lights admission and a complimentary ticket for themselves and a guest for dinner and drinks inside one of the zoo’s hospitality room. Lots of fun for people and animals alike. Innovative-IDM Houston Branch...
    Party at The Zoo!
    December 3, 2018by Kelly Williams

    Party at The Zoo!

    Our Houston Branch’s 2018 Holiday Party was one for the history books. The crew on Hollister is known to have its fair-share of party animals. So what do you do with party animals? You take them to the Zoo during the annual Houston Zoo Lights Celebration. The guest list included: Julian, a Madagascar Hognose Snake;...
    Coming, to a Down Production Line Near You . . .
    November 14, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Coming, to a Down Production Line Near You . . .

    Here’s one of our new Field Service Technician vehicles. Look for it parked near the side door of manufacturing facilities across Greater Houston.
    Gemini Season!
    November 2, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Gemini Season!

      IIDM’s most recent Gemini Program graduates deployed in October as Sales Engineers in Houston, Oklahoma City and Chicago. Previous Gemini grads also are serving as Sales and Field Application Engineers in Dallas, Chicago and Austin branches. The success of those engineering graduates combined with a healthy business outlook led IIDM to go full-ahead on...
    Endia and Baby Kennedy’s Impending Arrival
    November 2, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Endia and Baby Kennedy’s Impending Arrival

    Friday, Nov. 2, is Endia Villar’s last day at work before taking maternity leave. Baby Kennedy is due in days (I have Nov. 4 in the interoffice betting pool). Thursday, some of Endia’s friends gathered to honor her with baby shower. Husband Eddie was nice enough to attend. Lots of aaaaaawwwwwing as tiny shirts, blankets...
    Throwback: 100,000 Donuts!
    October 22, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Throwback: 100,000 Donuts!

      It was Aug. 10, 2012, date of the largest donut drop by Innovative-IDM to any customer. Klent Prewitt picked up the 40+ dozen donuts for delivery to MultiCam. The event was in recognition of the 100,000 other donuts we had delivered there since Gene Gray first started the weekly tradition in 2000 as an...
    Fall Anniversary Spotlight
    October 19, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Fall Anniversary Spotlight

    Look at all of these awesome posters the CIA made for our awesome employees for their anniversaries! Every one of y’all are amazing and we look forward to more years with you in the future!  
    How Ernie Sparks Named the CIA
    October 19, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    How Ernie Sparks Named the CIA

    When asked about how the CIA got its name, Ernie said: “There was a naming contest in February 2013. The contest was to come up with a name for a new volunteer group that would continually improve the culture of the company. I took clues from the email: Culture/improvement. [The email] originally had used the...
    HQ Construction Update
    October 18, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    HQ Construction Update

      Take a look at all of our construction updates for our new headquarters, coming to Lewisville in Spring 2019!
    Tough Mudder 2018
    October 18, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Tough Mudder 2018

    Take a look and see how the Tough Mudder went for both our employees and our customers!
    Buzz Sez Fall 2018
    October 11, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Buzz Sez Fall 2018

    Buzz Sez, our quarterly company culture newsletter, is ready for your enjoyment.
    Jesse Turns 15!
    October 11, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Jesse Turns 15!

    Before working at Innovative-IDM, Jesse Simental’s dream career was architect or home flipper. He loved drawing, especially 3D models. His favorite class was Wood Shop, and he relished painting. Jesse’s 15 years at Innovative-IDM has seen him thrive in many roles, including powering through one of the company’s most challenging times. Through it all, the...
    October 8, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Since 2012, Innovative-IDM has hired interns from the UNT Journalism and media-related departments for part-time work. Students earn $12 per hour for 10 hours a week for 10 week. This also fulfills the current School of Journalism degree requirement for a 100-hour internship. We tend to award internships to senior and rising senior students, since...
    Brandt King’s Favorite Hoopla Moments
    October 4, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Brandt King’s Favorite Hoopla Moments

    Discover the World of Innovative-IDM
    August 29, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Discover the World of Innovative-IDM

    Want’s a career at Innovative-IDM might be like? See what our team’s about in Buzz Sez, our company newsletter. Meet our Culture Improvement Agency, the engine that makes this a great place to work. Enjoy the Innovative-IDM Behind the Scenes blog, and see what really goes on at work. See what careers and benefits are...
    VFD Repair – Mud Pump
    August 18, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    VFD Repair – Mud Pump

    Listen in to hear about this awesome VFD Mud Pump Repair Innovative did!
    Large Industrial Drive Repair Delivered In Trailer
    August 13, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Large Industrial Drive Repair Delivered In Trailer

    This job for an industrial drive repair was so large it arrived at our repairs depot in a trailer. Here’s the back story.
    TAMU Careers with Innovative-IDM
    August 9, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    TAMU Careers with Innovative-IDM

    Innovative-IDM has supported the Texas A&M engineering career fairs for the better part of a decade. If you’ve been to the PAID or SEC career fairs, chances are you’ve seen or talked to us. We offer opportunities in Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, Chicago, Memphis as well as career deployment opportunities across the Southwest. We have helped...
    Field Retrofit Completion!
    August 7, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Field Retrofit Completion!

    Jonathan Bivings completed a field retrofit where he replaced a GE drive with an A1000 on a mill at Central Plains Cement Company in Oklahoma. The gearbox on this thing is the size of a small room. The A1000 drive is used to creep the very large motor in a jog mode up to 6...
    Breakfast with Blackstone
    August 6, 2018by Kelly Williams

    Breakfast with Blackstone

    Houston’s newest CIA team member, BLACKSTONE, made his Houston debut this morning during the first Blackstone Griddle Breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, fruit, sausage and bacon were enjoyed by all. I was told by team members that Blackstone couldn’t have pulled off such an event without the assistance of Houston Sales Manager and veteran CIA member, Ed...
    LCS Winners: Regions 1 and 2
    August 1, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    LCS Winners: Regions 1 and 2

    The Legendary Customer Service Award is given out to the team in the office that has the activity host that presented the best team building game for that month. Currently, here are the standings: Region 1: April: Dunder Mifflin Jason Adkins JP Childress Juan Martinez Taylor Moody Dean Morris Billy Nguyen Nick O’Connor Kyle Parry...
    Pie Face Fun!
    July 27, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Pie Face Fun!

    Take a look and see what went on at our Pie Face Hoopla!
    Pie Face Hoopla!
    July 25, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Pie Face Hoopla!

    Our Hoopla’s are so much fun! Just look at our Sales Engineer Andres Chapa having a blast playing Pie Face!
    Off The Clock: Rey Contreras
    July 18, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Off The Clock: Rey Contreras

    Hear about what Rey Contreras does while not on the clock!
    Buzz Sez newsletter #1
    July 17, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Buzz Sez newsletter #1

    Here’s the first issue of our employee newsletter. Lots of fun we have here. You can read below, or read here. Buzz Sez #1 Summer 2018  
    Construction Update – Summer 2018
    July 15, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    Construction Update – Summer 2018

    Listen as we discover how the construction is going with our new building in Lewisville, TX!
    Ed Hyer – Anniversary Spotlight
    July 10, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Ed Hyer – Anniversary Spotlight

    Ed Hyer’s five years at Innovative-IDM have been punctuated with success and contributions. Hyer is a President’s Club alumni, a former and acting Branch Manager of Baton Rouge territory, and he has served on the Houston Culture Improvement Agency and the Attract, Retain and Grow Task Force. Two of his direct reports also earned President’s...
    Live Large, Live Free
    July 4, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Live Large, Live Free

    Happy July 4th from Innovative Behind the Scenes! He who drinks a fifth on the 4th may not come forth on the 5th.” — George Washington (not really)
    CIA Dallas Retreat
    June 15, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    CIA Dallas Retreat

    The CIA groups from Houston and Carrollton and the branch managers met for a brainstorming and relaxation lake retreat in May. Edwin and Cyrus seemed to hit it off real well.
    Employee Sealed Bid Auction – 1998 Ford F150, 198K miles, Min Bid $1,000
    May 16, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Employee Sealed Bid Auction – 1998 Ford F150, 198K miles, Min Bid $1,000

    We are accepting sealed bids via email for the Carrollton delivery truck. Auction ends 10 AM May 23. Late bids will not be accepted. Emails must be time-stamped 10AM or earlier. Minimum bid is $1,000 (one thousand dollars). You may bid multiple times but only your highest bid will be accepted. Please submit your bid...
    College Recruiting Season!
    March 18, 2018by Sidney Mireles

    College Recruiting Season!

    In the spring, Gene Gray, Tim Mueller, and a college recruiting crew comprised of Brandt King, Stephen Weatherley, Kelly Williams, Omar Mediano, Pepper Hastings, Andres Chapa, Clayton King, Mason Godwin, Tanner Hilton, Nick O’Connor, and Kyle Parry fanned out across Texas and the Midwest interviewing talent.
    NACHO Average BBG
    March 13, 2018by Kelly Williams

    NACHO Average BBG

    Yesterday was NACHO average Buzz’s Bar and Grill (BBG) here at IIDM’s Corporate Headquarters in Dallas. Non-IIDMers might ask, what is a BBG? The short answer, a monthly office shindig, organized by our Culture Improvement Agency (CIA) and hosted by different departments within the company. Innovative IDM’s Dallas Shop and Warehouse Team were the hosts...
    Gemini Day at HQ
    March 9, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Gemini Day at HQ

    Our Gemini training program is for incoming sales engineers. It’s called Gemini because of the “twin” nature of the program: the trainee learns and trains about what we expect in terms of customer service (our core competency) while learning to be a technical salesperson fluent in the capabilities and applications of our core lines of...
    Sunbelt Pump Controllers Now Powered by Innovative-IDM
    March 2, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Sunbelt Pump Controllers Now Powered by Innovative-IDM

    As of March 1, Sunbelt Power Controls is fully integrated into Innovative-IDM. Richard Kreekon, who worked since 2016 to make this transition a reality, has moved on to retirement. Sunbelt is now a brand name for a product (pump control panels) sold by Innovative-IDM. We have UL508A panel shops in Dallas, Houston and Chicago. All...
    Texas Independence Day
    March 2, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Texas Independence Day

    Today is Texas Independence Day, the day Texas became a sovereign nation as the Republic of Texas and broke from Mexico. It’s an official holiday here in Texas — not the kind you get off of work from, but a holiday nonetheless. If you’ve ever been confounded about how to fly the Texas flag, just...
    Innovative-IDM’s Culture Improvement Agency (CIA)
    February 28, 2018by Kelly Williams

    Innovative-IDM’s Culture Improvement Agency (CIA)

    Innovative-IDM’s Culture Improvement Agency (CIA) is comprised of I-IDM volunteers who help steer the evolution of our culture through events, recognition, communication, new hire on-boarding and community outreach. They empower employees to act above and beyond the call of duty while furthering the adventure that we are proud to call our company culture. See below...
    FNG Shop Training
    February 9, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    FNG Shop Training

    All of our new employees spend time in the warehouse and our manufacturing shop (as well as other departments) to learn the business from the roots. We continue to raise the bar on our training programs here at IIDM.  Looks like shop QC leader Carlos has added a “how not to” section to the training...
    The World Class Workplace: Filling a Paper Towel Holder
    February 9, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    The World Class Workplace: Filling a Paper Towel Holder

    I know what you’re thinking. But if it’s so easy, how come nobody ever does it? How to Fill the Paper Towel Holder in the Dallas Branch from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Sugar Mill Show
    February 7, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Sugar Mill Show

    Big week for Mike Adams in Baton Rouge. Monday, he filled up an 18-seat class of customers for Yaskawa A1000 drive training. And on Tuesday and Wednesday, he spearheaded the efforts at the Sugar Mill Show in Baton Rouge. Adams is shown here with Ron Dufresne, Yaskawa rep for Louisiana and southern Mississippi (left); Richard...
    Yaskawa VFD Training Coming to Tulsa, March 26
    February 6, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training Coming to Tulsa, March 26

    Check out the course outline. Call 877.906.2100 or email [email protected] to register. Seats are limited to 18 per class.
    Yaskawa VFD Training Coming to DFW, Feb. 28-March 1
    February 6, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training Coming to DFW, Feb. 28-March 1

    Two classes (the same class, two different days) to choose from. Check out the course outline. Call 877.906.2100 or email [email protected] to register. Seats are limited to 18 per class.    
    2018 Award Winners
    February 5, 2018by Kelly Williams

    2018 Award Winners

    Innovative-IDM is known for LEGENDARY Customer Service and what makes us LEGENDARY are our team members who go above and beyond what is required to help the company reach its goals. These LEGENDARY employees are recognized annually at our National Sales Meeting and Branch Kickoffs.  Winners of these prestigious awards are nominated by company leadership...
    SkyCam Powered by Yaskawa, Innovative-IDM
    January 30, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    SkyCam Powered by Yaskawa, Innovative-IDM

    Ever wonder how SkyCam really works? With a lot of help from Yaskawa servos and collaboration with Innovative-IDM engineers.
    Branch Kick-Off (Houston and Chicago)
    January 22, 2018by Kelly Williams

    Branch Kick-Off (Houston and Chicago)

    Our Annual Branch Kick-Off Events have officially begun. Houston and Chicago hosted their awards banquet this past Friday. Congratulations to all of the award winners!! Your hard work and dedication is what makes Innovative-IDM legendary. Check out the 2017 Award Winners below:
    Yaskawa VFD Training in NW Houston, Feb. 7 & 8. TWO Classes
    January 12, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training in NW Houston, Feb. 7 & 8. TWO Classes

    To reserve your seat, call 877.906.2100 or email [email protected]
    Yaskawa VFD Training Coming to Baton Rouge, Feb. 5
    January 10, 2018by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training Coming to Baton Rouge, Feb. 5

    To reserve your seat, call 877.906.2100 or email to [email protected]
    December Buzz’s Bar & Grill
    December 20, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    December Buzz’s Bar & Grill

    Once a year our Field Service Supervisor, Lonnie Gillilan, likes to cook up his own meals tofeed our Innovative-IDM Dallas Branch. This year was no exception and set the bar very high for next year. Lonnie and his family cooked up Chicken Pot Pies, Meatloaf baked in a bed of Mashed Potatoes, Brisket Mac n’...
    Holiday Party – Houston Style
    December 18, 2017by Kelly Williams

    Holiday Party – Houston Style

    The SpindleTap Brewery in Houston was the place to be on Saturday. Ugly sweaters, karaoke, ice cold liquid gold, corn hole, basketball, great food, gifts and Innovative-IDM employees. When it came to liquid gold, “BoomTown Blonde” seemed to be the drink of choice for the majority of IIDM’ers. I’m not sure if it was the...
    Innovative-IDM Partnering With Flower Mound Police Department
    December 14, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    Innovative-IDM Partnering With Flower Mound Police Department

    It’s always a great day when you can contribute to the needs of others. Over the past week, Innovative-IDM Dallas Branch purchased 26 bikes kits, assembled the bikes and delivered them to the Flower Mound Police Department. The bikes and helmets came in a variety of sizes, so that every kid will have a safe...
    Tulsa Customer Party, A Day That Will Live in Infamy
    December 12, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Tulsa Customer Party, A Day That Will Live in Infamy

    Yes, it was Pearl Harbor Day. And yes, it was 22 degrees. And yes, customer service rep Bryce Hamilton splattered a raw egg on his forehead. But none of that kept about 30 customers and another dozen of our valued vendors from staging our fourth annual Technology Showcase and party. If you didn’t come, you...
    ChiTown on the Town
    December 12, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    ChiTown on the Town

    Our Chicago store team enjoyed a holiday dinner at Gibson’s recently. All were in attendance except for Kyle Parry, who was unable to pull himself from watching his Wisconsin Badgers go down in flames, 27-21, to Ohio State (much to the liking of Tulsa branch manager JP Childress).
    Responsiveness Earns Plaudits from Customer
    December 7, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Responsiveness Earns Plaudits from Customer

    Last week, a customer had a pump go down and needed a new drive to replace an OEM drive. After a few phone calls and text messages until 10:30 that night we had the right drive for the job and it was in stock at Yaskawa. He said he would place the order that next...
    QUEEN FOR A DAY
    November 21, 2017by Kelly Williams

    QUEEN FOR A DAY

    Bobbie Washburn, a.k.a. Queen Bobbie, arrived at our Dallas office this morning to find her “throne” decked out in full birthday decor. Her friends in the Accounting Department pulled out all the stops with balloons, banners, gifts and a crown. Happy Birthday, Queen Bobbie!  
    Tour Our Chicago Office
    November 9, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Tour Our Chicago Office

             
    A Day That MIGHT Live in Infamy – Dec. 7 Tulsa Customer Party
    November 2, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    A Day That MIGHT Live in Infamy – Dec. 7 Tulsa Customer Party

    If you are a customer of our Tulsa branch — or even if you just WANT to be a customer of our Tulsa branch — come to our annual open house party on December 7, 4:30 to 6:30 Here’s a map. We have great prizes, food and drinks, and our branch manager JP will most...
    Industrial AC Drive Start Up Tips
    November 2, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Industrial AC Drive Start Up Tips

    Here are some tips to help you with an industrial AC drive start up. Before You Start • VFDs are mounted in an appropriate environment and required input circuit protection. • Install all electrical conduit, if needed, prior to the AC drive start up • The electrical in/out 3Ø power cable have been pulled and...
    If Lucy Had a Yaskawa VFD, This (Episode) Wouldn’t Have Happened
    October 31, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    If Lucy Had a Yaskawa VFD, This (Episode) Wouldn’t Have Happened

    Because a Yaskawa VFD would have allowed the operators of the candy factory to slow down or even reverse the conveyor belt. Instead, they were probably running an old DC motor with in-rush current starts and stops and draining their electricity use. Does this sound like you? I, for one, am extremely happy they DID...
    Dallas Branch Survives Halloween Festival
    October 31, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    Dallas Branch Survives Halloween Festival

    Our Dallas branch had a great time Monday with the Innovative-IDM Halloween Festival including a Costume Contest and Pumpkin Carving Contest. The Dallas CIA hosted our monthly Buzz’s Bar & Grill, serving up burgers, hot dogs, brats, salad, chips and handmade corn dip made by Beverly from our Admin Group. Following all the festivities, our...
    Crime Dogs Take a Bite Out of Fraud
    September 21, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Crime Dogs Take a Bite Out of Fraud

    Our new Crime Dog initiative is aimed at taking a bite out of fraudulent purchase orders and scheming scofflaws who attempt to bilk us out of parts. The con game takes many forms. Callers masquerade as employees of legitimate companies. POs come in with shady shipping instructions. The perpetrators will even take a tracking number...
    Hoopla Meetings Fun This Week
    August 25, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    Hoopla Meetings Fun This Week

    We had some great games this week in our morning Hoopla meetings at Innovative-IDM. First, Kelly Williams brought the Cheeseball Toss to life pinning teams against each other to see how many Cheeseballs they could get caught in the shaving cream on their team members shower cap. Corn-off-the-Cob as able to pull out the win...
    Another Happy Customer in Chicago
    August 7, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Another Happy Customer in Chicago

    Here’s an email our Chicago branch manager Tim Mueller received from one of our Chicagoland customers today. Sent: Monday, August 07, 2017 10:16 AM To: Tim Mueller <[email protected]> Cc: Trevor Sisco <[email protected]>; Jonathan Dutton <[email protected]> Subject: Job well done Good morning, Tim. I’m head of Engineering in Skokie. We have been working with Trevor and Jonathon...
    Lipstick Challenge
    August 2, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Lipstick Challenge

    The office got awfully stylish this last Monday at our Dallas branch, thanks in part the hoopla hypestress Bobbie Washburn, whose team Makeup Artists was hosting hoopla. Check out I-IDM’s dashing efforts in the Lipstick Challenge!
    Pinch Point Protection in Your Production Facility
    July 24, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Pinch Point Protection in Your Production Facility

    Pinch point protection is a necessary audit in your facility. OSHA statistics show that more than 10,000 severe injuries occur every year.  One of the most frequent causes is lack of machinery guarding (29 CFR 1910.212).  One of the many things I help my customers with is increasing the total number of days without loss...
    Chilicheesemustardonionrelishdogmania Time Again!!!
    July 13, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    Chilicheesemustardonionrelishdogmania Time Again!!!

    Our 2017 Independence Celebration has passed again with completion of our Chilicheesemustardonionrelishdogmania part and Chili Cook-off. This year we had some very close competition with 5 contestants with 5 very unique styles of chili and flavors. With that being said, we had the tightest race in Innovative IDM history. How did the voting occur? Each...
    Electronics And Heat Don’t Mix
    July 10, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    Electronics And Heat Don’t Mix

    As we here in Texas groan about high temperatures of summer, it’s important to remember that we aren’t the only ones suffering from the heat. Electronics and heat don’t mix and the combination can be disastrous. As temperatures rise the number of businesses that lost power or experienced brown increase. During that time, many people...
    Live Large, Live Free
    July 4, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Live Large, Live Free

    Happy July 4th from Innovative Behind the Scenes! He who drinks a fifth on the 4th may not come forth on the 5th.” — George Washington (not really)
    European Industrial Electronics Often Visit American Repair Shops
    June 28, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    European Industrial Electronics Often Visit American Repair Shops

    In the repair industry, one of the highest fail items we see are European made products. The power grid in Europe runs at 50Hz or lower.  In the US, Mexico and Canada the power grid runs at 60Hz. So how can running at a different frequency effect how a machine runs? European made equipment is...
    Kyle Parry Heading Home to Chicago Branch
    June 28, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Kyle Parry Heading Home to Chicago Branch

    After a full year of training embedded at the Dallas branch of Innovative-IDM, Kyle Parry on Saturday will climb into the U-Haul and head toward the Chicago branch — his original assignment. Kyle came to IIDM straight out of engineering school at U of Wisconsin and has been a huge asset to the Dallas branch....
    Did somebody say good ‘ol, homemade, brisket cook-off?
    May 23, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    Did somebody say good ‘ol, homemade, brisket cook-off?

    This year was Innovative-IDM’s 4th annual Brisket Cook-off in our Dallas office. Contestants from Innovative along with SMC Dallas lined up to participate in the event. We had five tasty briskets submitted in the Best-of-the-Best Brisket contest. Return contestants Mike Kutac and Jeff McVicker from SMC Dallas came in strong with their submission and Michael...
    People Behind the Legendary Customer Experience
    April 19, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    People Behind the Legendary Customer Experience

    Meet our Customer Service Team. They exist to help our customers and support our sales reps, who help our customers. We just finished our Spring Customer Service Team Meetup. Many will scatter back to their branches after today, but if you call or email, you’ll be communicating with one of these fine folks. How can...
    Customers Win With Repairs and Elliot
    April 14, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Customers Win With Repairs and Elliot

    Congratulations to Elliot Austin for winning the Q1 Repairs Growth Award and this new Galaxy Tab. Elliot averaged $4k in repairs sales growth per month in Q1 and helped numerous customers get back up and running.
    Happy Innovative-IDM Day!
    April 3, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Happy Innovative-IDM Day!

    Today, April 3, is our 17th birthday. Happy Birthday, Innovative-IDM!
    Yaskawa A1000 Drives Training Greater Memphis, April 20 & 27
    March 29, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa A1000 Drives Training Greater Memphis, April 20 & 27

    The famous Yaskawa Drives Road Show training van makes a stop in Greater Memphis on April 20 and 27. Call 877.906.2100 or email [email protected] to register. Seats are limited to 18 in each class.
    DC Drive Retrofit Staves Off Downtime
    March 16, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    DC Drive Retrofit Staves Off Downtime

    One of our customers manufactures corrugated cardboard boxes. This control panel powers the main motor on a cardboard corrugating machine. The customer understands the power of preventive maintenance and uses our field service technicians to retrofit a new DC drive into the box before the old ones develop problems. This avoid the costly emergency breakdown...
    Beware the Ides of March: The 2,061st Anniversary of Caesar’s Assassination
    March 15, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Beware the Ides of March: The 2,061st Anniversary of Caesar’s Assassination

      “Beware, the Ides of March.” That was the soothsayer’s warning to his Emperor. And so on March 15, 44 B.C, Caesar was assassinated, shanked 23 times by his close friends. The words “And you, too, Brutus?” have become Shakespearean symbolism for the ultimate betrayal. There is very little evidence of any industrial automation or...
    Dallas Branch Fajeeets, Courtesy of Shop and Warehouse Colleagues
    March 13, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Dallas Branch Fajeeets, Courtesy of Shop and Warehouse Colleagues

    Our monthly Buzz’s Bar and Grille in Dallas are headed up by the Dallas Culture Improvement Agency (CIA) and executed on by a different Dallas branch department each month. Today’s beef and chicken fajitas were graciously provided and prepared by our Manufacturing Shop and Warehouse departments (with usual helping hands of the CIA members). MMMMMmmmmmm,...
    Destruction of a Will Call Counter
    March 13, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Destruction of a Will Call Counter

    We were running out of room in our Dallas warehouse. So we opened up another 20 square feet of space. Destruction of a Will Call counter from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    4 Easy Ways to Reduce Industrial Accidents in Your Facility
    March 8, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    4 Easy Ways to Reduce Industrial Accidents in Your Facility

    Everyone talks about ways to reduce industrial accidents. We hang warning signs in our facilities, we keep score of days without injuries, and we talk in meetings about how to reduce industrial accidents. I’ve been in plants for more than 30 years and there are a lot of unsafe things you just would not believe....
    Texas Independence Day
    March 2, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Texas Independence Day

    Today is Texas Independence Day, the day Texas became a sovereign nation as the Republic of Texas and broke from Mexico. It’s an official holiday here in Texas — not the kind you get off of work from, but a holiday nonetheless. If you’ve ever been confounded about how to fly the Texas flag, just...
    What’s Going On. . .
    February 23, 2017by Todd Tompkins

    What’s Going On. . .

    . . .things got a little messy at this morning’s Innovative-IDM’s Hoopla meeting. It’s like Russian roulette but with whipped cream! See the tension build as opponents try to pie their rival in the face. Innovative-IDM: What’s Going On from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Industrial Robotics Proof-of-Concept Lab in Dallas
    February 20, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Industrial Robotics Proof-of-Concept Lab in Dallas

    Our robotics lab is a frequent stop for customers who want to know more about how they can stay globally competitive. If you or your crew would like to schedule some time in our proof-of-concept lab, email us at [email protected] or call 877-906-2100. Check out the video below if you want see some of different...
    Industrial Electronics Repairs: 2 minute overview
    February 17, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Industrial Electronics Repairs: 2 minute overview

    If you have industrial electronics in need of repairs — fried AC Drives, broken touchscreens, power supplies that don’t power, DC drives that met a power surge — any make or model, we can help. Here’s an example of the kinds of things we can help you with at Innovative-IDM industrial electronic repairs. [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at7AQ0t3ySQ[/embedyt]
    Lathe Machine, Age 103, Still Running Thanks to Electronic Drives
    February 6, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Lathe Machine, Age 103, Still Running Thanks to Electronic Drives

    When a 100-year-old lathe machine pairs with a modern DC drive, beautiful things can happen (and much money can be saved). A large machine shop called and asked our Innovative-IDM onsite repair team to troubleshoot some pre-World War II era motor-generator (MG) controls. The equipment being controlled was a very large Betts lathe machine with...
    Yaskawa VFD Training in Dallas, March 14
    February 1, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training in Dallas, March 14

    Yaskawa VFD training coming to Dallas, Tuesday March 14. One day class. Call 1-877-906-2100 or email [email protected] to sign up today. Seats are limited to 15.
    Yaskawa VFD Training in Tulsa, March 16
    February 1, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training in Tulsa, March 16

    Yaskawa VFD training coming to Tulsa, Thursday March 16. One day class. Call 1-877-906-2100 or email [email protected] to sign up today. Seats are limited to 15.
    Yaskawa VFD Training in Houston Feb. 20
    February 1, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training in Houston Feb. 20

    Yaskawa VFD training coming to Houston Monday, Feb. 20. Class will be at the Innovative-IDM training facility near Beltway and 249. One day class. Call 1-877-906-2100 or email [email protected] to sign up today. Seats are limited to 15.  
    Troubleshooting Temperature Controllers
    February 1, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Troubleshooting Temperature Controllers

    We often get calls for troubleshooting temperature controllers. Here are some tips that can save you some money and time. My Field Service Technicians and I frequently are deployed to customer sites for “Failed” temperature controllers. There are numerous brands of temperature controllers in the market. Applications range from ovens to extrusion machines. Yet most...
    Yaskawa VFD Training Austin (Round Rock) March 1
    January 30, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Yaskawa VFD Training Austin (Round Rock) March 1

    Yaskawa VFD training coming to Austin (Round Rock) Wednesday, March 1. One day class. Call 1-877-906-2100 or email [email protected] to sign up today. Seats are limited to 15.
    Yaskawa A1000 Features and Benefits: Video
    January 28, 2017by eeadmin

    Yaskawa A1000 Features and Benefits: Video

    Yaskawa is the world’s largest manufacturer of AC inverter drives and related products for controlling motion of AC induction motors from fractional to 1750 HP. Yaskawa has earned the reputation for having the most reliable, most technically advanced, and longest-lasting products. Innovative-IDM has helped clients with Yaskawa drives for 15 years. We can help you,...
    VFD Training in Baton Rouge
    January 25, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    VFD Training in Baton Rouge

    Yaskawa VFD training coming to Baton Rouge, Feb. 13. One day class. Call 1-877-906-2100 or email [email protected] to sign up today. Seats are limited to 15.  
    Meet the President’s Club: Innovative-IDM Awards Week, Day 3
    January 13, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Meet the President’s Club: Innovative-IDM Awards Week, Day 3

    The President’s Club is Innovative-IDM’s highest recognition award. For the most part, PC members are nominated by PC Alumni. It’s a peer recognition award, as well as a president’s choice for productive merit and selfless contributions to the company and teammates. IIDM president Gene Gray announces the 100% Awards, the company’s second highest recognition, and...
    Meet the Winners: Innovative-IDM Awards Week, Day 2
    January 12, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Meet the Winners: Innovative-IDM Awards Week, Day 2

    In Day 2 (of 3) of IIDM Awards Week, Innovative-IDM president Gene Gray announces the company’s Rookie of the Year. Also, we recognize all of our sales awards, including growth awards for service techs and sales people. Who helped customers with the most repairs? Let’s find out here, or click on the video below. Meet...
    Meet the Winners: Innovative-IDM Awards Week, Day 1
    January 11, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    Meet the Winners: Innovative-IDM Awards Week, Day 1

    Innovative-IDM president Gene Gray announces the company’s highest performing team members. Today, we learn about the All-Pro Teams and reveal the winners of the CIA Informant Award. The numbers are in for our Repairs Department Super Heroes awards. And we learn the identities of the “Employees of the Year” in Customer Service, Manufacturing, and Repairs....
    How to Remove the Yaskawa A1000 Terminal Board
    January 1, 2017by Pepper Hastings

    How to Remove the Yaskawa A1000 Terminal Board

    We were messing around in our Dallas shop yesterday (all of our shops have a wooden pirate ship on the bench) and thought we’d share how to remove the Yaskawa A1000 terminal board. The Memory Terminal Board feature is designed to decrease Mean Time To Repair (MTTR).  This feature allows maintenance personnel to quickly change...
    Choosing an Industrial Repairs Service
    December 29, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Choosing an Industrial Repairs Service

    When your assembly line is down and it’s time for choosing an industrial repairs and field service company, make sure the company can be reached 24/7. It might take a couple of hours for a technician to arrive on the scene, but make sure the phone is answered 24/7. Here are some other tips on...
    Robotics Lab Helps Initiatives Surge Forward
    December 7, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Robotics Lab Helps Initiatives Surge Forward

    Manufacturing plants are investing resources in robotics. Since installing a proof-of-concept robotics lab at its Texas headquarters, Innovative-IDM has seen a surge of curious engineers and plant managers asking the question: “How can robots handle my application?” Innovative’s robotics lab currently includes multiple robots integrated with conveyors, vision, AC drives, PLCs and pneumatics. It’s a...
    Houston ANSWERS the Challenge
    November 21, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Houston ANSWERS the Challenge

    Last week, Dallas offered a challenge to all branches (especially Houston) to put up a manequin challenge. Houston has responded. What about Chicago? Tulsa? Baton Rouge? Memphis? Anyone else got game? Innovative-IDM Office Mannequin Challenge Houston from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    MVP Supports Veterans this Holiday Season!
    November 21, 2016by Todd Tompkins

    MVP Supports Veterans this Holiday Season!

    Our Innovative-IDM MVP’ers on Friday, November 18, 2016 assisted the Veterans Coalition of North Central Texas (VCNCT) and other volunteers from local businesses in the sorting, counting and bagging of over 550 Thanksgiving meals (over 8,000 individual items) for our military veterans who, without the support of VCNCT, may not have had a Thanksgiving meal...
    Mannequin Challenge Dallas Style
    November 18, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Mannequin Challenge Dallas Style

    Dallas office wants to know: You other branches (especially Houston), you got any game? Innovative-IDM Office Mannequin Challenge from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Choosing Between Steel or Aluminum Framing
    November 3, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Choosing Between Steel or Aluminum Framing

    Are you on the fence about choosing between steel or aluminum framing for your machine? Despite the many presentations, articles, and forums that provide helpful pieces of information for engineers approaching this fork in the design road, sometimes it’s a good idea to take advice from a trusted partner. I wrote about this subject on...
    Trick or Treat at Innovative-IDM
    October 31, 2016by Todd Tompkins

    Trick or Treat at Innovative-IDM

    Halloween is one of the best holiday traditions to establish and to celebrate at work, so why not do it in style here at Innovative-IDM headquarters.
    Breaking News: Board on Friday
    October 28, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Breaking News: Board on Friday

    For years, I encouraged one of my teammates to break this very board. No luck. This morning, on the way to the dumpster, it took about 10 seconds to talk Carlos into taking a swing at it. Anyone seen the cinder bricks or arrows? -ph Carlos Stress Relief from Innovative-IDM on Vimeo.
    Race for the Cure Volunteering
    October 21, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Race for the Cure Volunteering

    One in eight women in the U.S will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Innovative-IDM employees jumped in and used their MVP hours towards Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure. Volunteering for registration was nonstop fun, the flow of people coming in to pick up their race day packets or to register...
    Outsource Control Panel Jobs to Lower Cost, Risk
    October 5, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Outsource Control Panel Jobs to Lower Cost, Risk

    Should you outsource control panel jobs, or build them yourself? As a manager, the first thought that comes to mind is, “When I build this panel in-house, I am going to save a ton of money on engineering and labor.”  Not so fast. When you use in-house full time employees to build your control panels,...
    IIDM Shows Off in Denton, Lubbock and College Station
    September 22, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    IIDM Shows Off in Denton, Lubbock and College Station

    Innovative-IDM had team members all over Texas this week. Lonnie, Gina, Adam and Pepper (as well as our key factory reps) were opening eyes at Peterbilt in Denton. Mark Phelps and Edwin traveled from Houston to represent our repairs group. Gene was at Texas Tech at an engineering career fair. Brewmaster and Brandt were at...
    We Got it Going On at the Customer Site Today
    September 21, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    We Got it Going On at the Customer Site Today

    If you’re an engineer or maintenance pro at Peterbilt in Denton, Texas, today, you’re in for a treat. A dozen factory reps plus breakout sessions PLUS lunch. Wow.
    Innovative IDM Operation Homecoming
    September 20, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Innovative IDM Operation Homecoming

    It has been a few weeks since the floods in Louisiana and the impact to families and communities is still tremendous. Early October is homecoming for Central and Denham High Schools in Baton Rouge. What is supposed to be a happy time, where girls are looking forward to dressing up was a second thought, that’s...
    Aluminum Extrusion: Hard Guarding
    September 15, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Aluminum Extrusion: Hard Guarding

    The customer needed a way to guard a machine yet still have access and visibility for that machine. This six-piece, color coded hard guard made from Parker IPS aluminum extrusion does the job. It keeps unwanted arms and hands from pinch points yet offers access areas so operators can still made adjustments to the machine....
    People, Please…..
    September 15, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    People, Please…..

    When there’s no office door to close, you gotta improvise. Go Cyrus, go!
    Wallace Drive Was an Early Road in Carrollton
    September 9, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Wallace Drive Was an Early Road in Carrollton

    Our HQ sits on Wallace Dr in Carrollton, once a Trinity River bottoms road in 1958. Click on the map below to check it out, or paste the link below into your browser for a really hi-res image. Some things you won’t see on the map: LBJ, Stemmons, Dallas North Tollway, I-20, Carpenter Freeway…must have...
    Automate A Manual Process to Save Time, Money
    September 9, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Automate A Manual Process to Save Time, Money

    How many opportunities do you have to automate a manual process in your manufacturing facility? Look around, you might be surprised. One of my customers had a manufacturing process that required – get this – a worker to bypass a few hydraulic cylinder and valves, then manually push and pry the machine, then climb up on...
    Difference Between VFD, Servo Drive Repair
    August 31, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Difference Between VFD, Servo Drive Repair

    Servo drive repair differs from VFD repairs in several ways, including being a bit more difficult to troubleshoot. Also, servo drive repair usually requires that the servo be connected back to its intended system to ensure it’s repaired correctly (something that’s extremely difficult to replicate in repair shop conditions). A VFD (variable frequency drive) is...
    Baton Rouge Flooded Control Panels
    August 30, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Baton Rouge Flooded Control Panels

    Our customers and employees in Baton Rouge continue to endure dire conditions from the staggering flooding in that area and throughout southern Louisiana. One of our customers, a printing plant, sustained horrible damage. Everything flooded. Office turned upside down. Every control panel went under water. On the scene, IIDM field service technician from our Baton...
    Motor and Control Applications: Total Cost Counts
    August 26, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Motor and Control Applications: Total Cost Counts

    When designing a motor and control application, how often do we actually take the total cost of ownership into account? Are we “saving money” by cutting corners on conductor sizes, ignoring voltage drop and imbalance in our designs? Are we sizing wires incorrectly? The real answer is we probably don’t think about total cost of...
    Collaborative Robot Serves a Biscuit
    August 26, 2016by Pepper Hastings

    Collaborative Robot Serves a Biscuit

    We were at one of our customer sites yesterday showing off Sawyer, one of our collaborative robot models. The thing about Sawyer is that he’s so easy to program for simple tasks. Obviously, in a manufacturing line setting there are additional considerations to fine tune. But this one-minute video underscores just how easy it is...
    Pneumatic Air Dryer Saved $10,000, Downtime
    August 22, 2016