Patti Engineering

05/27/2026

Looking back at a great event earlier this month — Patti Engineering was proud to host the after-event gathering during Inductive Automation's Data Center Discovery Day in Tysons Corner, VA.

https://hubs.li/Q04hFkZ40

A big thank you to the Inductive Automation team and everyone who joined us for the evening. We’re excited about the conversations that started there and where they’ll lead next.

05/26/2026

Looking back, one of the standout sessions from the 2026 Control System Integrators Association Conference was the always-popular “Lessons from the Hot Stove.”

The session focused on real-world situations system integrators face under pressure — and the lessons learned from navigating them successfully.

One quote shared during the session stuck with me:

“A cat who sits on a hot stove will never sit on a hot stove again. But she won’t sit on a cold one either.” — Mark Twain

A great reminder for all of us in automation and integration: learning from difficult experiences is critical, but overcorrecting can be just as risky.

After attending CSIA conferences for decades, it’s sessions like this that continue to make the event valuable year after year.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We are grateful for their courage, dedication, and service.

From all of us at Patti Engineering, thank you to those who served and to the families who carry their legacy forward.

05/14/2026

In partnership with Kettering University and Mitsubishi Electric, Patti Engineering helped develop a modular, real-world robotic cell designed for student experimentation and problem-solving.

“We designed the robotic cell to function as a lab for student experimentation, allowing them to modify and rewrite parts of the program.” — Terrance Brinkley, Patti Engineering

This kind of experience builds the skills and confidence future engineers need from day one.

Read the full story: https://hubs.li/Q04d1R440: https://hubs.li/Q04d1XYG0

04/27/2026

Patti Engineering was recently featured on Automation.com for our collaboration with Kettering University and Mitsubishi Electric.

This project brought a fully functional robotic cell into the classroom—giving students hands-on experience with real-world automation systems, from robotics and PLCs to vision and system integration.

Proud to support initiatives that bridge the gap between education and industry.

Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04d2yYf0

04/22/2026

Thinking about upgrading your control system but not sure where to start?

Our two-part series covers:
• When an upgrade makes sense
• How to plan for a successful transition
• Key risks to avoid during implementation

Whether you’re dealing with legacy PLCs or planning for Industry 4.0 connectivity, this is a practical guide to getting it right.

👉 Read the series:
Part 1: https://hubs.li/Q047nWY10
Part 2: https://hubs.li/Q047n-rK0

This comprehensive two-part guide covers scenarios where a control systems upgrade can be beneficial, and insight into when a complete replacement is needed.

04/06/2026

Upgrading your control system isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one, too.

Are you dealing with:
- Obsolete components
- Increasing downtime
- Compatibility issues with newer platforms

These are all indicators your system may be ready for an upgrade.

Our latest blog outlines what to look for before issues impact production.

👉 Start with Part 1:

This comprehensive two-part guide covers scenarios where a control systems upgrade can be beneficial, and insight into when a complete replacement is needed.

03/31/2026

Planning a control system upgrade? The details matter.

From communication protocols and legacy code to system documentation and OT network considerations—successful upgrades start long before implementation.

In Part 2 of our series, we walk through how to prepare for a smooth, low-risk transition.

👉 Read Part 2:

You’ve decided to upgrade your legacy control system. Now what’s next? In Part 2, we highlight what questions you need to ask when planning this project.

03/19/2026

Still running on a legacy control system? It might be costing you more than you think.

From hard-to-source replacement parts to increased downtime and cybersecurity risks, aging systems introduce challenges that only get worse over time.

In Part 1 of our Control System Upgrade series, we break down the key signs it’s time to upgrade—and how to evaluate your next move.

👉 Read Part 1:

This comprehensive two-part guide covers scenarios where a control systems upgrade can be beneficial, and insight into when a complete replacement is needed.

03/16/2026

Control systems age faster than the equipment they run.

If you’re planning ahead, here’s how we approach legacy control system upgrades and modernization projects:

https://hubs.li/Q0436vqS0

Let us know if you’d like to explore what that could look like in your facility.

Legacy Control System Upgrades

03/11/2026

In 2021, unsupported PLC models were left without security patches for a critical vulnerability.

That’s the hidden risk of aging control systems.

This article explores how electronic degradation, discontinued firmware, and obsolete programming environments turn legacy controls into operational and cybersecurity liabilities — and why modernization is often the smarter long-term investment.

Periodic control system upgrades are a necessary part of long-term line maintenance for most high-duty production lines.