The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major challenge for the manufacturing industry and its professional associations. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine and Brett Brune, editor in chief of Smart Manufacturing magazine, talk with Bob Willig, who joined SME as CEO on January 1 as executive director and CEO. Among other topics, Willig comments on why he joined SME; what the industry should expect out of SME post-pandemic; the outlook for manufacturing; a...
Mar 10, 2021•14 min
Jeff Huerta, Senior VP for Sales at Vecna Robotics, speaks on how successful companies are advancing their operations with fully autonomous material handling equipment, and how some facilities are achieving very quick ROI. He also describes the differences between an AMR and an AGV, and addresses the topic of safety. Lastly, he prescribes ways to get started with this equipment, including what upfront costs companies should be prepared for.
Mar 04, 2021•7 min
Today’s machine tools create an enormous amount of data. One way of using this information is to implement automated feedback processes that improve machining operations. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Scott Mahrle, director of business development for Q-DAS and Hexagon Integrated Solutions, and Frank Krazer, system engineer for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, about what automated machine tool feedback is and how it impacts the ...
Feb 26, 2021•17 min
John Keogh, LIFT’s engineering director, shares all the things the institute and its additive manufacturing partners are doing to develop methods and techniques to better understand the materials and their dimensions – in real time - as they undergo the additive process.
Feb 24, 2021•12 min
There is not a lot that all manufacturers of every type and size have in common, but all struggle with same challenge—the skills gap and a changing workforce. John Hindman, Director, Learning and Performance Improvement at Tooling U-SME, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to talk about how manufacturers can benefit from today’s multigenerational workforce. Hear John talk about best practices for training millennials and Gen Z workers to become high performers, and other workforce tips...
Feb 22, 2021•22 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses collaborative robots, or cobots, with Steve Apel. He is a Regional Automation Manager for Acieta. In this role, he helps solve customer challenges through the adoption of new robotic automation technologies.
Feb 15, 2021•16 min
Italy has long been a key provider of manufacturing technology to the U.S. market. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Bart Pascoli, Project Coordinator for Machines Italia–and Marco Saladini, Trade Commissioner-Chicago for the Italian Trade Agency about Machines Italia and its role in the North American manufacturing industry; the results of a recent Machines Italia awareness survey of 500 purchasers of Italian machinery in the U.S., Me...
Feb 09, 2021•19 min
As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, trades shows are once again on the horizon around the globe. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, interviews Bart Pascoli, Project Coordinator for Machines Italia, and Marco Saladini, Trade Commissioner-Chicago of the Italian Trade Agency, about the plans being made for EMO Milan 2021, one of the largest machine tool exhibitions in the world, which is scheduled for Oct. 4-9, 2021; what is coming up 2...
Feb 09, 2021•16 min
Listen to this Smart Manufacturing magazine cover story: Twenty women making their mark in robotics & automation
Feb 01, 2021•31 min
EnvisionTEC CEO Al Siblani—whose firm is being purchased by Desktop Metal—discusses photopolymers’ move from prototyping to production. He gets into how he sees the sale will impact his company, as well as Desktop Metal and the 3D printing market in general. For the uninitiated, he also patiently explains how the 3d printing of polymers has progressed over the years. Last but not least, he details EnvisionTEC’s plans for growth—and asserts that the cost of 3D printing has reached a point where i...
Feb 01, 2021•11 min
Cybersecurity is growing more critical every year. Much of the focus has been on protecting information technology (IT) assets, and operational technology security can be been overlooked. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Michael Rothschild, Senior Director of Marketing for Tenable about what has changed to cause operational technology security to gain a high profile; how OT environments are different from, and similar to IT; what type...
Jan 27, 2021•18 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Dan Doiron, Milling Product Manager, EMUGE how to extend tool path distance during pre-finishing and finishing operations in five-axis machining with EMUGE’s circle segment cutters. Learn more.
Jan 15, 2021•17 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Jennifer Taylor, Vice President of Business Development, Central Florida Development Council (CFDC) the opportunities for companies who want to establish manufacturing centers in Central Florida.
Jan 13, 2021•26 min
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has been a game changer in how products are designed, produced and manufactured. But 3D printed parts don’t just come out of the machine ready to use, sometimes intensive manual post-processing is required. Jeff Mize, CEO of PostProcess Technologies, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to discuss their automated post-processing technology and how fully digitalized additive manufacturing is further benefiting the industry.
Jan 08, 2021•36 min
Some machining applications need more torque than others, and gear head spindles can provide it. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Nick St. Cyr, Product Manager for Methods Machine Tools about gear head spindle and why machine shops may need them; the different styles of gear head spindles; the principal applications that require gear head Spindles; the main benefits of a gear head spindle; the programming challenges when using a gear ...
Dec 16, 2020•15 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Lisa Ryan, Chief Appreciation Strategist for Grategy why engaging and recognizing employees is so important and the right way to go about doing it. With approximately 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day, it’s more important than ever to attract the best employees you can hire while dealing with an ever-shrinking talent pool. Although the past decade has focused on Millennials, Gen Z has...
Dec 14, 2020•21 min
Welding has been around for millennia, but today’s technology doesn’t often benefit from the information- and feedback-rich technologies that its machining cousin does. Christopher Ripley, Director of Business Development, and Eduardo Almeida, Director of Engineering, Innovation and R&D for BrandTech®, sit down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to talk about the company’s BrandTech® Precision Welding system and how its computer-controlled system differs from traditional stud welding....
Dec 11, 2020•37 min
Manufacturing cost accounting can be a challenge even for seasoned financial accountants. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with David Lechleitner, Senior Consultant for Ultra Consultants, about how manufacturers can understand how to more accurately cost jobs; the costing options available in most ERP solutions; and how to effectively utilize them to identify “winners” from “losers.”
Dec 07, 2020•16 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Robert Ravensbergen Marketing Director-Omnirobotics how today’s automation technology can make your manufacturing operation autonomous and its benefits to companies with a high mix of products.
Dec 04, 2020•22 min
The ARM Institute umbrella created “the perfect ecosystem to collaborate and remove barriers,” says Juan Aparicio of Siemens Technology. His company recently acted with unusual speed – and in concert with Maxim BioMedical, Siemens Healthineers, Henderson Sewing Machine Co., Yaskawa America, HomTex and FedEx – to help protect Americans dealing with COVID-19 using robotic and flexible automation technology. Several projects, with Siemens Technology as lead, are currently ongoing and will contribut...
Dec 02, 2020•22 min
When it comes to addressing the skills gap and enabling a more productive workforce, manufacturers need to take a look at all the tools at their disposal. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Scott Goforth, Product Marketing Manager for Gorbel Inc. about the skills gap and how companies can deal with the challenges it poses; strategies for companies seeking to lower costs and increase customer service levels; how manufacturers can acquire...
Nov 18, 2020•11 min
Lean is a way of life for many manufacturers and an opportunity for those who haven’t yet started their lean journey. But identifying who in your organization should lead the charge isn’t always clear. Process improvement and manufacturing strategy specialist Jeff Sipes, Owner and Principal, Back2Basics LLC, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to shine a spotlight on the lean leaders you can find within your own organization. From identification to development, Jeff details the role of...
Nov 16, 2020•38 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Kevin Rohrbach, Head of North America for Zehnder Clean Air Solutions strategies to manage welding smoke and fumes in your manufacturing facility, and how this helps your bottom line.
Nov 11, 2020•19 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Glenn Nausley, President of Promess, how technological advances in making standard equipment can lower manufacturing costs.
Nov 02, 2020•25 min
Manufacturing is growing in the U.S., but there are not enough skilled workers to fill all of the available jobs. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Joe Mazzeo, Owner of Integrated Lean & Quality Solutions, about why is not having enough skilled trades in manufacturing is a major problem; the consequences of this problem; how the U.S. got into the position of not having enough young people going into skilled trades; and what can and...
Oct 30, 2020•18 min
(Narrated Smart Manufacturing magazine article)
Oct 28, 2020•12 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Carl Dekker President of Met-L-Flo, Inc. on how to embrace Additive Manufacturing. This will cover the costs of equipment, personnel, and incidentals. Also discussed will be the design considerations that make AM excel.
Oct 26, 2020•19 min
As digital capabilities grow, industrial transformation is taking place throughout the world. What does this mean for manufacturers? In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Emmanuel Leroy, executive vice president of Industry Solutions for ESI Group, in charge of industry strategy, go-to-market and performance, about the transformation taking place in manufacturing due to advanced simulation capabilities; how the auto industry is using simul...
Oct 23, 2020•14 min
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses digital transformation with Jason Ray Co-Founder & CEO of Paperless Parts. The future of your business is more reliant on strategic initiatives centered on digitizing even the most common manufacturing processes like quoting, shop floor execution, and manufacturing management. As digital technologies become more prevalent, having a digital strategy and action plan allows you to reach your c...
Oct 21, 2020•33 min
IIoT expert Steve Jones who will speak Oct. 29 at “The Best of SMX” (smxevent.com), describes in detail the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), as well as AI/machine learning and other promising technology for manufacturing’s future. Like with many things in life, it is important to set goals first, the Steelcase executive says. Not sure where to begin with IIoT? Never fear: Jones has the answer.
Oct 19, 2020•20 min
