VFD Vibes

From Classroom to Career

Internships are more than just summer jobs—they’re the starting point for real careers. Host Greg Weichman sits down with Nancy Flowers to break down how internship programs benefit both students and employers, and what makes Yaskawa’s approach stand out. With nearly two decades at Yaskawa and years of experience leading the intern program, Nancy shares how the company builds long-term talent pipelines through hands-on experience, mentorship, and meaningful work. From how students find internships and stand out in the application process to how Yaskawa recruits, gathers feedback, and continuously improves the program, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what a modern internship should be. Whether you're a student exploring your first opportunity or an employer thinking about developing future talent, this conversation is packed with practical insight and real-world perspective. 01:29 Internships: More Than Just a Summer Job 07:14 Real Work, Not Busywork: Inside the Program 09:56 Mentorship, Teams & Opportunities Beyond Engineering 12:55 The Skills Interns Walk Away With 15:36 How Feedback Shapes a Better Internship Experience 19:26 From Intern to Leader + What Sets the Best Apart Have a topic you want us to cover? Email marcom@yaskawa.com [marcom@yaskawa.com] and let us know!

Medium Voltage, Major Performance

When low voltage VFDs reach their limits, medium voltage takes over. Host Greg Weichman and guest Tim Scheidell break down what medium voltage (MV) really means and how MV VFDs differ from low voltage drives in system design, internal topology, commissioning, safety, and real-world applications.   With Tim’s experience working with large-scale drive systems, they explore multi-level architectures, power cells, harmonic performance, maintenance expectations, and the industries that depend on MV solutions. Whether you're new to medium voltage or evaluating when it makes sense to move beyond 480V systems, this episode gives you the clarity needed to understand where MV fits and why it matters.   02:23 What Counts as Medium Voltage 04:15 Why Step Up to MV 05:53 Design Differences Inside an MV Drive 15:22 Safety, Commissioning, and Maintenance 21:05 Where MV Is Used 22:52 When LV Still Wins 25:31 Future MV Trends   Have a topic you want us to cover? Email marcom@yaskawa.com [marcom@yaskawa.com] and let us know!

Channel Champions

In a world of fast shipping, online marketplaces, and shifting customer expectations, does the traditional distribution model still deliver? Host Greg Weichman sits down with Josh Julius, Yaskawa’s Industrial Channel Manager, to explore why the channel partner model remains a strategic cornerstone and what makes this model so powerful in the industrial automation space. With over a decade of experience at Yaskawa, Josh shares real-world examples, challenges, and behind-the-scenes insights into what makes a great channel partner, how Yaskawa supports its network, and the growing risks of the gray market. They discuss the importance of local inventory, industry expertise, solution selling, and trust—showing how distribution partners act as force multipliers in delivering value to customers. Whether you’re a distributor, an end user, or just curious about how the industrial supply chain really works, this episode breaks it all down. 03:17 Understanding the Distribution Partner Model 07:21 Real-World Examples of Distribution Value 09:05 Challenges in Supporting Distribution Partners 15:43 The Gray Market and Its Implications 18:39 Qualities of Strong Distribution Partners 23:25 Yaskawa's Support for Channel Partners 25:51 Future of Distribution and Final Thoughts Have a topic you want us to cover? Email marcom@yaskawa.com [marcom@yaskawa.com] and let us know!

From Setup to Savings: How to Get the Best Out of Your VFD

Getting the most out of your drive goes far beyond the purchase. Host Greg Weichman breaks down what really makes a difference — from installation and motor selection to tuning, cooling, and preventative maintenance — all in order to help you extend the life of your VFD and maximize efficiency. Inspired by an article from Yaskawa technical training expert Paul Avery, this episode explores how proper setup, smart features, and simple upkeep can dramatically improve performance and ROI. Whether you’re an installer, end user, or sales professional, this episode offers a high-level guide to better drive reliability, energy savings, and system longevity. Tune in to learn how a few key best practices can turn your VFD into a long-term advantage for your operation. 02:08 Importance of Proper Installation 02:58 Motor and Motor Cable Considerations 05:54 Model Your Motor with Auto-Tune 06:38 Advanced Drive Features for Efficiency 08:26 Maintaining Your VFD for Longevity 11:05 Preventative Maintenance Checklist 14:09 Future of VFD Maintenance with AI Have a topic you want us to cover? Email marcom@yaskawa.com [marcom@yaskawa.com] and let us know!

Stay Grounded: The Key to VFD Reliability and Safety

Getting grounding and bonding right isn’t just about meeting electrical code — it’s about protecting your equipment, preventing EMI, and keeping your VFDs running the way they should. In this episode of VFD Vibes, host Greg Weichman welcomes back application engineer Joe Pottebaum to break down what proper grounding and bonding really mean. Joe explains the difference between system ground, equipment ground, and protective earth — and why confusing these terms can lead to nuisance trips, premature failures, or even dangerous conditions. You’ll also hear best practices for grounding VFDs and motors, insights on shielded cable vs. conduit wiring, and a real-world look at problems like ground loops, noise, and EMI. With decades of field experience, Joe shares practical advice for installers, engineers, and troubleshooters alike — showing how good grounding and bonding choices can prevent costly downtime and extend the life of your drives. 02:07 Defining Grounding and Bonding 06:55 Best Practices for Grounding VFDs 15:14 Cables, Conduits, and EMI  21:33 Troubleshooting and Real-World Examples 28:03 Protecting Your Investment 31:52 How to learn more or get help Have a topic you want us to cover? Email marcom@yaskawa.com [marcom@yaskawa.com] and let us know!