ASR Engineering Inc

ASR Engineering Inc Providing Industrial Control Automation Engineering as a Service

When Automation Becomes Project LeadershipSome automation projects are measured by the number of PLCs, robots, or servo ...
09/01/2026

When Automation Becomes Project Leadership

Some automation projects are measured by the number of PLCs, robots, or servo axes.

Others are measured by the number of engineering teams you have to bring together to make the entire plant operate as one system.

ASR Engineering was responsible for managing an approximately $22 million industrial automation project, coordinating the efforts of four separate integration teams while overseeing the controls and industrial process engineering required to bring the system together.

One of the biggest challenges was synchronization.

The installation incorporated approximately 140 servo drives, all of which had to operate as part of a coordinated manufacturing process. Getting an individual axis to move is relatively straightforward. Getting more than a hundred servo-controlled mechanisms, process systems, interlocks, and production sequences to operate together reliably is an entirely different level of engineering.

But controls were only part of the responsibility.

ASR Engineering's scope also included:

Overall automation and integration project management

Coordination of four independent system-integrator teams

Industrial process engineering oversight

Synchronization and commissioning of approximately 140 servo drives

Electrical system engineering and arc-flash calculations

Machine and system safety responsibility

Controls integration and system-wide troubleshooting

Startup and production commissioning

Operator and maintenance training

A project of this size teaches an important lesson: successful automation is not simply about programming equipment.

It is about understanding how the electrical system, mechanical equipment, process, controls, safety systems, operators, and multiple engineering organizations affect one another, and then taking responsibility for making all of those pieces work together.

That experience continues to shape how we approach projects today at ASR Engineering – Automated Systems and Robotics.

Whether the project involves one machine or an entire manufacturing process, we look beyond the individual component and engineer with the complete system in mind.

Mechatronics in Action: Engineered TogetherModern automation doesn’t happen in a single engineering discipline.Mechanica...
08/10/2026

Mechatronics in Action: Engineered Together

Modern automation doesn’t happen in a single engineering discipline.

Mechanical design, electrical systems, controls, pneumatics, motion, sensors, and software all have to work together. That integration is the foundation of mechatronics, and it’s where good engineering becomes a complete automated system.

A mechanical assembly can be perfectly designed, but it still needs the right actuators, sensors, controls, sequencing, and safety architecture to perform reliably. Likewise, great PLC code can’t compensate for poor mechanical design or an improperly applied motion system.

At ASR Engineering, we look at the entire electromechanical system and how each discipline interacts with the next.

Because successful automation isn’t about making individual components work. It’s about engineering them to work together.

Design. Integrate. Automate.

A machine can be running perfectly, and still fail an audit.In regulated manufacturing, documentation is not just paperw...
07/31/2026

A machine can be running perfectly, and still fail an audit.

In regulated manufacturing, documentation is not just paperwork. It is part of the control system.

PLC and HMI software, electrical schematics, I/O lists, device configurations, alarm descriptions, functional specifications, and revision records should all tell the same story. When software changes but the drawings do not, troubleshooting becomes slower, validation becomes harder, and risk increases.

That relationship becomes especially important in GMP environments, where equipment may be evaluated through:

IQ — Installation Qualification

Confirming that equipment, wiring, components, and software are installed as designed.

OQ — Operational Qualification

Verifying that alarms, interlocks, recipes, controls, and operating sequences function correctly.

PQ — Performance Qualification

Demonstrating that the complete process performs consistently under actual production conditions. ASR-Engineering Inc., we use modern engineering tools, including Eplan, to help maintain accurate schematics, PLC I/O documentation, device information, and controlled project records. The software platform is only one part of the process—the real objective is keeping the physical machine, control software, and supporting documentation aligned.

Good automation runs the machine. Good documentation proves it.

What you’re looking at was not just a messy control panel—it was part of the machine’s safety system.Years of undocument...
07/20/2026

What you’re looking at was not just a messy control panel—it was part of the machine’s safety system.

Years of undocumented changes, temporary fixes, and crossed wiring had turned the very system meant to protect people into a hazard of its own. Troubleshooting it was not simply a matter of finding one failed component; the entire control strategy had to be questioned, traced, and verified.

The machine was not obsolete. The controls—and the way they had been maintained—were the real problem.

Sometimes the most dangerous fault is the one hiding behind a closed panel door.

Automate 2026: Building Relationships That Drive InnovationIf there's one place to see where manufacturing is headed, it...
06/29/2026

Automate 2026: Building Relationships That Drive Innovation

If there's one place to see where manufacturing is headed, it's Automate.
After four days in Chicago surrounded by the latest advancements in robotics, automation, digital engineering, and artificial intelligence, I came home with one clear takeaway:

The future of manufacturing isn't built by technology alone; it's built through relationships.

The technology on display was remarkable, but the most valuable part of the week was the opportunity to reconnect with industry partners and build new relationships with people who share a common goal: helping manufacturers become more productive, more competitive, and better prepared for tomorrow.

A sincere thank you to the teams at Eplan, Beckhoff Automation USA, Dobot Robotics, Lanco Group of Companies Integrated, MJM Industries, NEURA Robotics and the many other professionals who generously shared their time, ideas, and vision. Every conversation reinforced something I've believed throughout my career:

The best automation solutions are built through collaboration.
One topic surfaced in nearly every discussion, Artificial Intelligence.
The conversation wasn't about replacing people. It was about giving engineers, technicians, and operators better tools to make smarter decisions, troubleshoot faster, improve machine performance, and gain deeper operational insight.

At ASR Engineering, we're actively integrating AI into our vision for the future of industrial automation. Our goal is to help manufacturers leverage these emerging technologies where they create real business value, while continuing to deliver the practical engineering solutions our customers rely on every day.

As I made the drive back to Maine, I realized I wasn't bringing home brochures or giveaways. I was bringing home new relationships, fresh ideas, and an even clearer vision for ASR's future.

Technology opens the door, but trust is what builds lasting partnerships.
Thank you to everyone I had the opportunity to meet. I'm excited to continue the conversations that began in Chicago and look forward to helping shape the next generation of industrial automation, together.
Because in the end, innovation doesn't begin with technology. It begins with relationships.

Will AI Replace People in Manufacturing?It's a question that comes up almost every time Artificial Intelligence is discu...
06/15/2026

Will AI Replace People in Manufacturing?

It's a question that comes up almost every time Artificial Intelligence is discussed.

And honestly, it's understandable.

Throughout history, new technologies have often been met with concern that jobs would disappear.

When Henry Ford introduced the moving assembly line, manufacturing changed forever.

The need for certain manual tasks was reduced, but productivity increased dramatically. Products became more affordable, workplaces became safer, and entirely new skill sets emerged.

We've seen similar concerns with CNC machines, PLCs, industrial robots, machine vision systems, and automated material handling. Yet manufacturing continued to evolve.

Today, AI appears to be the next step in that evolution.

What makes AI unique is that it has the potential to assist not only with physical tasks, but also with information, analysis, and decision-making.

Imagine systems that can:

▪ Identify process trends before they become production problems

▪ Help troubleshoot equipment faults faster

▪ Predict maintenance needs before failures occur

▪ Assist with training new employees

▪ Provide insights hidden within years of production data

Does this mean some jobs will change?

History suggests they will.

But perhaps the more important question is whether AI will eliminate people or simply allow people to focus on higher-value activities that require experience, judgment, creativity, and problem-solving.

Industry 4.0 connected machines, systems, and data.

Some believe AI may become the foundation of Industry 5.0 by helping humans make better decisions rather than replacing them entirely.

The future of manufacturing has never been about choosing between people and technology. It's been about finding better ways for people and technology to work together.

Do you see AI as a replacement for human expertise, or as a tool that enhances it?

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Industry Partners,Over the years, I've come to believe that while compensation is importan...
06/08/2026

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Industry Partners,

Over the years, I've come to believe that while compensation is important, it is rarely the only thing that motivates people. Most of us expect to be paid fairly for the work we do. That's the agreement. But what often leaves the greatest impression is knowing that our efforts were genuinely appreciated.

A simple thank you.

A handshake after a difficult project.

A sincere acknowledgment that someone's contribution made a difference.

Whether it's an employee staying late to solve a problem, a vendor going above and beyond to meet a deadline, or a customer placing trust in your team, people tend to remember how they were treated long after the transaction is complete.

In business, we often focus on productivity, efficiency, schedules, and budgets. Those things matter. But so do respect, gratitude, and appreciation.

I've found that when people feel valued, they often bring their very best to the table.

What are your thoughts? Have you found appreciation to be as powerful as compensation when it comes to motivation?

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Industry Partners,ASR Engineering will be attending Automate 2026 in Chicago Trade shows a...
06/03/2026

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Industry Partners,
ASR Engineering will be attending Automate 2026 in Chicago

Trade shows are always a great opportunity to see the latest technology, but for us, the real value comes from the conversations. We're looking forward to connecting with manufacturers, OEMs, system integrators, and technology providers who are solving real-world production challenges every day.

We're particularly interested in learning more about:

• Industrial Robotics

• AI-Assisted Manufacturing

• Machine Vision

• Smart Automation & Data Integration

• Machine Modernization & Retrofit Solutions

If you'll be attending Automate, I'd enjoy meeting in person to discuss automation projects, controls engineering, machine upgrades, or simply exchange ideas about where manufacturing is headed next.

Feel free to send me a message before the show if you'd like to schedule a time to connect.

What technology are you most interested in seeing at Automate this year?

Artificial Intelligence is becoming a powerful tool in industrial automation.Today, AI can help engineers generate code ...
06/01/2026

Artificial Intelligence is becoming a powerful tool in industrial automation.

Today, AI can help engineers generate code examples, create documentation, troubleshoot problems, organize information, and accelerate development tasks.

But... industrial automation is about far more than writing code.

Successful automation projects require an understanding of machines, processes, operators, safety systems, instrumentation, and the realities of a production environment. Many of the most difficult problems in manufacturing are not found in a program, they're discovered on the plant floor.

At ASR – Engineering, Inc., we see AI as another valuable tool that can help engineers work more efficiently. However, engineering judgment, experience, and practical problem-solving remain critical to delivering reliable automation solutions.

If AI can write ladder logic, what parts of automation engineering do you believe can never be automated?

I'd be interested to hear perspectives from controls engineers, technicians, maintenance professionals, OEMs, and manufacturers.

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South Portland, ME
04116

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+18448942333

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