Engineering notes
Practical notes on automation, AI, machine vision, IoT, and the systems engineering that ties them together. No hype, numbers where we have them.
Industrial Automation8 min
PLC data collection explained: Modbus, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, and MQTT, plus gateways, Kepware-class OPC servers, and historians, with practical costs.
AI & Automation8 min
AI document processing turns invoices, forms, and POs into structured data your ERP can use. What accuracy to expect, and why the review queue matters most.
IoT & Edge7 min
What an IoT gateway actually does: protocol translation, buffering, security, and OTA updates, plus a practical checklist for picking the right one.
Industrial Automation8 min
Downtime tracking methods compared: clipboards, spreadsheets, and automated systems, plus how to design reason codes operators will actually use.
Machine Vision7 min
AI vision vs. traditional machine vision compared: how rule-based and deep learning inspection differ, what each costs, and how to choose right.
Engineering7 min
What fractional engineering is, how it works, and when senior technical ownership without a full-time hire beats recruiting a VP of Engineering.
IoT & Edge6 min
Edge computing for manufacturers, explained plainly: what runs on-site vs. in the cloud, why latency and bandwidth matter, and when the edge earns its keep.
Industrial Automation8 min
OEE explained for small manufacturers: the availability, performance, and quality math, common traps, and how to measure OEE without buying a big MES.
AI & Automation8 min
What AI agents for small business can actually do in 2025: reliable use cases, where they fail, and the review-gated architecture that makes them work.
Machine Vision7 min
How much does a machine vision system cost? An honest breakdown of camera, lens, lighting, software, and integration prices with realistic ranges.
Engineering7 min
Contract engineer vs. full-time hire: compare fully-loaded costs, ramp time, and risk, and learn when each makes sense for manufacturers and OEMs.
Industrial Automation7 min
Machine monitoring explained: what it is, the signals it captures, what the data actually tells you, and typical costs for small manufacturers.
