The Downtime | Episode 35: Digital Twinning

In this episode of The Downtime podcast, co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak talk digital twins with Christine Bush of Schneider Electric.

Courtesy: WTWH Media

Season two of The Downtime podcast officially kicks off with energy, insight and a forward-looking conversation about where packaging automation is headed next. At the top of the episode, co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak welcome listeners back and set the tone for a new season focused on smarter manufacturing, emerging technology and the people driving change across the industry.

The show opens with a headline segment that zeroes in on efficiency gains that often fly under the radar. Kasprzak highlights a recent Plant Engineering story on boosting air compressor efficiency — an essential but frequently overlooked area of plant operations. The discussion underscores how small optimizations in compressed air systems can deliver meaningful cost savings, improved reliability, and reduced energy consumption, making it a practical starting point for manufacturers looking to do more with less.

From there, Wynn reflects on top stories and standout podcast episodes from 2025 featured on Packaging OEM. The recap serves as a quick look back at a year defined by rapid innovation, digital transformation, and a growing emphasis on flexibility in packaging machinery. It also reinforces how industry media continues to connect engineers, OEMs and end users with timely insights they can put to work immediately.

At the heart of the episode is a deep-dive interview with this week’s guest, Christine Bush, director of Schneider Electric’s robotic center of excellence. As the conversation begins, Bush shares her perspective on the evolving role of robotics in packaging operations. She explains how robotics is no longer just about speed or precision, but about adaptability — helping manufacturers respond to changing product mixes, shorter runs, and increased customization demands.

The discussion quickly expands into advanced technologies shaping the future of automation, including artificial intelligence, digital twins and machine learning. Bush outlines how these tools are being used to simulate systems, optimize performance before deployment, and reduce risk during commissioning. Digital twins, in particular, are highlighted as a powerful bridge between design and operation, enabling smarter decision-making across the equipment lifecycle.

Bush also addresses one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: the skilled labor shortage. She shares trends she’s seeing in the manufacturing workforce and how robotics, paired with intuitive software and training, can help close gaps while making roles more attractive to new talent. For OEMs just starting their robotics journey, Bush offers practical advice on where to begin, emphasizing scalable solutions and strong partnerships.

Looking ahead, Bush outlines key robotics trends for packaging automation in 2026, including increased flexibility, tighter integration with motion control, and modular design strategies. She explains Schneider Electric’s approach to flexible design, spotlighting motion controller technology that enables seamless coordination between robotics and the broader automation architecture.

The episode wraps with a preview of an upcoming interview from the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit — teasing what Wynn calls the “Ferrari” of motion control technology — and a reminder to check out Packaging OEM’s coverage of digital twins and AI in packaging machinery. Before signing off, the co-hosts lighten the mood with a “New Year, New Me” game segment, sharing resolutions and personal anecdotes before closing out the show.

Season two is off to a strong start, blending practical insights, big-picture trends, and a bit of fun — exactly what The Downtime does best.

Timestamps for Episode 35

00:17 – Co-hosts open the show and kick off season two of The Downtime podcast

02:04 – Headline segment: Kasprzak shares a story on boosting air compressor efficiency from Plant Engineering

02:49 – Wynn highlights top stories and podcast episodes from 2025 on Packaging OEM’s website

03:30 – Wynn introduces this week’s guest, Christine Bush, director of Schneider Electric’s robotic center of excellence

04:14 – Interview with Bush begins

05:02 – Discussion on robotics in packaging operations

07:41 – Conversation shifts to AI, digital twins, and machine learning

10:21 – Bush addresses the skilled labor shortage and trends in the manufacturing workforce

11:42 – Advice for OEMs on getting started with robotics

12:33 – Bush outlines robotics trends for packaging automation in 2026

13:54 – Schneider Electric’s approach to flexible design, including motion controller technology

15:17 – Wynn wraps up the interview with Bush

15:22 – Preview of another Schneider Electric Innovation Summit interview coming soon, featuring the “Ferrari” of motion control technology. Wynn also encourages listeners to read Packaging OEM’s story on digital twins and AI in packaging machinery

16:38 – “New Year, New Me” game segment begins, featuring resolutions and personal anecdotes

22:09 – Co-hosts close out the show