Looking back at a great event earlier this month — Patti Engineering was proud to host the after-event gathering during Inductive Automation’s Data Center Discovery Day in Tysons Corner, VA.
https://t.co/tAOey3G3V4
A big thank you to the Inductive Automation team and everyone who joined us for the evening. We’re excited about the conversations that started there and where they’ll lead next.
Looking back, one of the standout sessions from the 2026 @CSIAtweet Conference was the always-popular “Lessons from the Hot Stove.”
The session focused on real-world situations system integrators face under pressure — and the lessons learned from navigating them successfully.
One quote shared during the session stuck with me:
“A cat who sits on a hot stove will never sit on a hot stove again. But she won’t sit on a cold one either.” — Mark Twain
A great reminder for all of us in automation and integration: learning from difficult experiences is critical, but overcorrecting can be just as risky.
After attending CSIA conferences for decades, it’s sessions like this that continue to make the event valuable year after year.
This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We are grateful for their courage, dedication, and service.
From all of us at Patti Engineering, thank you to those who served and to the families who carry their legacy forward.
In partnership with @KetteringU and @MitsubishiElect, Patti Engineering helped develop a modular, real-world robotic cell designed for student experimentation and problem-solving.
“We designed the robotic cell to function as a lab for student experimentation, allowing them to modify and rewrite parts of the program.” — Terrance Brinkley, Patti Engineering
This kind of experience builds the skills and confidence future engineers need from day one.
Read the full story: https://t.co/sFljwdNvgJ: https://t.co/2Nhnv5quKD
Patti Engineering was recently featured on @automation_com for our collaboration with @KetteringU and @MitsubishiElect
This project brought a fully functional robotic cell into the classroom—giving students hands-on experience with real-world automation systems, from robotics and PLCs to vision and system integration.
Proud to support initiatives that bridge the gap between education and industry.
Read more: https://t.co/6tgYNHNYty
Thinking about upgrading your control system but not sure where to start?
Our two-part series covers:
• When an upgrade makes sense
• How to plan for a successful transition
• Key risks to avoid during implementation
Whether you’re dealing with legacy PLCs or planning for Industry 4.0 connectivity, this is a practical guide to getting it right.
👉 Read the series:
Part 1: https://t.co/BIp1YDsCte
Part 2: https://t.co/NoarzomVUG
Upgrading your control system isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one, too.
Are you dealing with:
- Obsolete components
- Increasing downtime
- Compatibility issues with newer platforms
These are all indicators your system may be ready for an upgrade.
Our latest blog outlines what to look for before issues impact production.
👉 Start with Part 1: https://t.co/mrnLfoom4H
Planning a control system upgrade? The details matter.
From communication protocols and legacy code to system documentation and OT network considerations—successful upgrades start long before implementation.
In Part 2 of our series, we walk through how to prepare for a smooth, low-risk transition.
👉 Read Part 2: https://t.co/lqnATWhs5j
Still running on a legacy control system? It might be costing you more than you think.
From hard-to-source replacement parts to increased downtime and cybersecurity risks, aging systems introduce challenges that only get worse over time.
In Part 1 of our Control System Upgrade series, we break down the key signs it’s time to upgrade—and how to evaluate your next move.
👉 Read Part 1: https://t.co/24NQT8P1nA
Control systems age faster than the equipment they run.
If you’re planning ahead, here’s how we approach legacy control system upgrades and modernization projects:
https://t.co/ba47M0R68D
Let us know if you’d like to explore what that could look like in your facility.
In 2021, unsupported PLC models were left without security patches for a critical vulnerability.
That’s the hidden risk of aging control systems.
This article explores how electronic degradation, discontinued firmware, and obsolete programming environments turn legacy controls into operational and cybersecurity liabilities — and why modernization is often the smarter long-term investment.
https://t.co/p9inynQqUm
Outdated equipment doesn’t always mean obsolete.
Strategic upgrades and additions can extend asset life, improve reliability, and prepare your operation for future automation and data initiatives.
Here’s how we approach equipment upgrades and integration: https://t.co/34BEQHqopA
Legacy control systems eventually become a liability — from spare part risk to unsupported firmware and cybersecurity exposure.
If you’re evaluating modernization, we’ve outlined how Patti Engineering approaches legacy control system upgrades — from assessment through implementation.
And if you’d like to talk through your situation, we’re always happy to connect.
https://t.co/QN6eDBiLKf
Sometimes the right move isn’t replacing a line — it’s upgrading or adding to what’s already there.
Our team helps manufacturers assess, plan, and execute equipment upgrades that improve efficiency, reliability, and long-term scalability — with minimal disruption to operations.
Learn more about our approach: https://t.co/856Z5o33DW
Exciting to see the BBC partner with @A3Robotics on the new documentary series “Age of Automation.”
The series highlights the role automation is playing across industries and the people driving that transformation forward.
https://t.co/8JUw3G8md8
Great to see our story being told on a broader stage!
Most production lines don’t fail mechanically first — they fail digitally.
Control systems age far faster than the mechanical equipment they run. After 10–15 years, degradation, obsolescence, unsupported firmware, and unavailable spare parts start creating real operational and cybersecurity risk.
In this piece, we brek down why that gap exists — and why periodic control system upgrades should be part of a long-term maintenance plan, not a reactive emergency.
https://t.co/L14UtRdNhL
As we’ve kicked off the new year, a quick look back at our Michigan team’s holiday celebration at Meadow Brook Hall.
https://t.co/thU7QKzn8L
The team gathered for dinner and a private tour of the historic 80,000-square-foot mansion, originally built in 1929 by Matilda Dodge Wilson. She later donated the 1,500-acre estate to the State of Michigan in 1957 — today it’s part of Oakland University.
It was a great way to close out the year and spend time together outside of project work.
Thinking about changes to a process, line, or product — but hesitant to test them live?
Digital twins let manufacturers model real-world behavior before touching the floor. This article walks through where they add real value (and where they don’t).
https://t.co/TtVCLX1vdM
We had a productive week at the A3 Business Forum in Orlando with great conversations and insights with robotics and automation leaders.
A highlight was hearing Brittany Hodak speak about building “Super Fans” and long-term customer trust. A good reminder that even in highly technical industries, relationships and experience still matter.
"Achieving Premier Integrator status with Inductive Automation is an honor and a reflection of our engineers’ uncompromising dedication to remaining at the cutting edge of the industrial engineering toolset." https://t.co/dX7mEepdLZ