The Downtime | Episode 36: Let's Interface!

Courtesy: WTWH Media

The latest episode of The Downtime podcast opens with co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak welcoming listeners back and setting the tone for another conversation focused on the technologies and people shaping industrial automation. From the outset, the duo signals that this episode will blend industry news with a deep dive into human machine interfaces (HMIs) and community building in automation.

At about the two-minute mark, Wynn previews the episode’s main attraction: an interview with Nikki Gonzales, director of business development at Weintek USA and co-founder of the Automation Ladies podcast. Before diving into the interview, Wynn takes a moment to encourage listeners to sign up for the Packaging OEM newsletter, highlighting a recent LinkedIn follower milestone for the publication and reinforcing the value of staying connected to trusted industry coverage.

Kasprzak then shifts the conversation to Plant Engineering, spotlighting some of the publication’s top stories from 2025. She touches on key themes that resonated throughout the year, including advances in automation, evolving safety practices, and the growing push toward decarbonization. Together, Wynn and Kasprzak underscore how these trends continue to intersect and influence both OEMs and plant engineers navigating a rapidly changing industrial landscape.

The co-hosts formally introduce Gonzales and tee up the interview. When the conversation begins, Gonzales walks listeners through her career journey, which spans sales engineering, machine vision, artificial intelligence, and ultimately her move to Weintek. Her path illustrates how diverse technical experiences can converge into a leadership role focused on both technology and people.

Gonzales also shares the story behind the Automation Ladies podcast, explaining how it evolved from a simple idea into a thriving online community. That growth eventually led to the creation of OT SCADA CON, an in-person event designed to bring together OT and automation professionals. She announces that the conference will take place July 22 to 24, 2026, in Houston, emphasizing its mission to foster learning, connection, and inclusivity in the automation space.

As the discussion continues, Gonzales dives into her passion for HMIs and explains what differentiates Weintek’s products in a crowded market. The trio explores key HMI trends impacting OEMs and plant engineers, from usability and visualization to interoperability across systems. Gonzales also outlines practical HMI training strategies, highlighting Weintek’s video resources and software support, and discusses how thoughtful design can ease transitions between new and legacy devices. Her description of Weintek’s HMIs as a “universal remote” neatly captures the flexibility and integration many users are seeking.

Later in the episode, Gonzales joins Wynn and Kasprzak for the fan-favorite game segment, “Tap or Scrap,” offering quick takes on technology, preferences, and working styles. The interview wraps up on a high note before the co-hosts close out the show, thanking listeners and encouraging them to stay engaged with The Downtime, Packaging OEM, and Plant Engineering for more insights from across the industrial automation world.

Timestamps for Episode 36

00:17 – The co-hosts open the show

01:55 – Wynn previews the episode, including this week’s interview with Nikki Gonzales, director of business development at Weintek USA and co-founder of the Automation Ladies podcast

02:06 – Wynn encourages listeners to sign up for Packaging OEM’s newsletter and shares a LinkedIn milestone for the publication

03:20 – Kasprzak highlights Plant Engineering’s top stories from 2025, including coverage on automation, safety, and decarbonization

04:08 – The co-hosts introduce the interview with Nikki Gonzales

05:30 – The interview with Gonzales begins

06:01 – Gonzales walks through her career path, spanning sales engineering, machine vision, artificial intelligence, and her move to Weintek

10:16 – Gonzales explains the origins of the Automation Ladies podcast and how it grew into an online community, including the launch of the OT SCADA CON event, taking place July 22-July 24, 2026, in Houston, Texas

13:30 – Gonzales discusses her interest in human machine interfaces (HMI) and what differentiates Weintek’s products

18:30 – The trio explores key HMI trends impacting OEMs and plant engineers

23:24 – The trio talks through HMI training strategies, highlighting Weintek’s videos and software support. She also discusses easing transitions between new and legacy devices

28:38 – Gonzales explains why she describes Weintek’s HMIs as a “universal remote.”

32:20 – Gonzales joins the co-hosts for the game segment called “Tap or Scrap,” a quick-fire game on technology, preferences, and working styles

44:30 – The interview with Gonzales concludes