The Python Podcast.__init__ - Industrial Automation with Jo

Jun 17 2017 62 mins 2

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Summary

We all use items that are produced in factories, but do you ever stop to think about the code that powers that production? This week Jonas Neubert takes us behind the scenes and talks about the systems and software that power modern facilities, the development workflows, and how Python gets used to tie everything together.

Preface

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Your host as usual is Tobias Macey and today I’m interviewing Jonas Neubert about using Python for industrial automation

Interview

Introductions

How did you get introduced to Python?

How did you get involved in factory automation?

What are some of the technical challenges that are unique to a factory environment and the physical computing needs associated with it?

When developing new capabilities for your factory, how do you manage proper testing of your software given the need to interoperate with the hardware?

Which languages are most frequently used for command and control of industrial systems and how does Python interface with them?

How do you manage the problem of interfacing with the various different protocols and data formats that are presented by the different hardware instruments?

In your PyCon presentation you commented on the fact that security in industrial automation systems is lacking. What are some of the most common issues that you have seen?
- Why is it that security is such an issue in industrial systems?

How are production releases of your software managed and how does it differ from other types of products such as web applications?

Aside from manufacturing facilities, what are some other types of environments or industries that require similar levels of hardware automation?

What are some of the most interesting or challenging projects that you have worked on?

What are some of the packages on PyPI that you find most useful in your day-to-day work?

For someone who wants to get involved in industrial automation what kind of experience should they have and what are some of the resources that you recommend?