The AI Revolution: Rethinking Automation with Al Whatmough, Ep #13
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Release Date: 02/26/2025
Lights Out at 20: Inside a One-Man, Multi-Axis Machine Shop with Michael King, Ep #33
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
What does the future of manufacturing look like when it’s built by someone who has never known a world without digital tools, automation, or on-demand learning? In this episode of Lights Out, the hosts sit down with Michael King, founder of Munkworks, whose story feels almost implausible until you hear it unfold. Michael bought his first CNC machine as a teenager, owns a five-axis machining center before he’s old enough to legally drink, and runs a growing shop almost entirely on his own. But this conversation isn’t about novelty. It’s about mindset. From early hands-on building and 3D...
info_outline
From ROI to Reality — Measuring Success After You Automate, Ep #32
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Automation doesn’t end when the system is powered on. In fact, that’s often where the real work begins. In the third and final episode of this Lights Out series, the conversation shifts from planning and justification to execution, measurement, and long-term performance. After covering market forces driving automation adoption and breaking down ROI math in the first two episodes, this installment tackles the question many shop owners wrestle with once automation is live: Is this actually working? Dave Vuyk and Eric Nekich dig into how to validate performance, track meaningful metrics, and...
info_outline
How to Calculate Automation ROI — The Right Way, Ep #31
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Automation is exploding across the manufacturing world, but the real differentiator isn’t the robot, pallet pool, or software you buy—it’s whether you know how to calculate ROI the right way. In this episode of Lights Out, we break down the financial side of automation in plain language so every shop owner, operator, and leader can make smarter investment decisions with confidence. This is the follow-up to our baseline episode, where we had listeners identify their current spindle utilization, setup times, labor load, and cost per part. Now we take the next step: turning...
info_outline
The Automation Adoption Boom: Why ROI is the 2026 Metric That Matters, Ep #30
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Before a shop can automate confidently, it has to understand one thing clearly: ROI drives every great automation decision. In this episode of Lights Out, David Vuyk and Eric Nekich kick off a multi-part series on Automation ROI—focusing not on hype or shiny tech, but on the real metrics and methods that determine whether automation will pay off or become an expensive paperweight. With “Jolly St. Nick Goellner” out preparing for the holiday season, David and Eric take the mic to break down a critical truth: you cannot automate an unreliable process, and far too many shops are buying...
info_outline
Facing the Future: Automation Truths from 40 Years on the Shop Floor with Mike Gamache, Ep #29
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
As we dive into this episode of Lights Out, we sit down with someone who’s seen automation evolve from pencil drawings and flame-cut templates to fully integrated robotic systems: our friend and longtime industry leader, Mike Gamache. For decades, Mike has lived at the intersection of machining, fabrication, automation, and continuous improvement, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring his experience to our listeners. We reflect on how we first met Mike—a mix of Germany trips, delayed flights, Delta drink tickets, and a little tough love that eventually turned into friendship and...
info_outline
From SWAT to Spindles: How Johnny Goode Led MSP Manufacturing’s Lights-Out Transformation, Ep #28
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
What do law enforcement, SWAT operations, and CNC machining have in common? More than you’d think. In this episode of Lights Out, hosts Nick Goellner, Eric Nekich, and Dave Vuyk welcome Johnny Goode, President and Co-owner of MSP Manufacturing in Bloomington, Indiana—a precision aerospace manufacturer that’s rapidly transforming its operations with automation and digital processes. Johnny’s journey is anything but typical. From police officer and SWAT team member to Army National Guard sergeant, his story is packed with grit, discipline, and leadership under pressure....
info_outline
The Real Takeaways from EMO: Monitoring, AI, and the Changing Face of Automation, Ep #27
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
In this episode of Lights Out, we debrief from one of the largest manufacturing technology shows in the world—EMO Hannover. From automation and adaptive controls to AI-driven machining and the evolving economics of shop ownership, the team unpacks what’s really changing in manufacturing and what’s just noise. As the hosts reflect on trends like the shift from horizontal to 5-axis machining centers, the rise of machine monitoring and IoT integrations, and the reality of underused OEM technology, they dig into what these patterns mean for modern shops aiming to run smarter—not...
info_outline
Coached—Not Just Monitored: How the Best Shops Turn Data into Action, Ep #26
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
You can collect data all day—but if you’re not using it to coach your team, you’re missing the point. In this episode of Lights Out, hosts Nick Goellner and Dave Vuyk wrap up their “Mindset Shifts for Lights Out Legends” series with one final transformation: moving from a monitored shop to a coached one. Drawing on lessons from Nick’s recent talk at the Automated Shop Conference, the hosts unpack how to turn dashboards into decisions and metrics into motivation. They explain why dashboards don’t make chips, how to turn OEE...
info_outline
Adaptive Over Aggressive: Redefining Lights-Out Manufacturing with Camoren Schley, Ep #25
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Lights-out manufacturing isn’t just about adding robots or running machines overnight — it’s about creating a culture and a system where your shop can perform at its peak without constant human intervention. In this episode of Lights Out, hosts Nick Goellner, Eric Nekich, and David Vuyk sit down with innovator and entrepreneur Camoren Schley of Slytek to explore the technologies and mindsets making true lights-out operations possible. Camoren’s story begins in his grandfather’s Denver manufacturing shop and evolves into a journey of building and selling high-pressure...
info_outline
From Fixed to Mixed: Mindset Shifts That Power Lights-Out Manufacturing, Ep #24
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
In this episode of Lights Out, Nick Goellner, Eric Nekich, and Dave Vuyk take listeners inside the mindset shifts powering the next wave of lights-out manufacturing. Forget just “working harder” — this conversation is about working smarter, breaking out of fixed thinking, and unlocking massive gains without adding headcount or square footage. The trio opens by sharing the personal routines and disciplines that keep them at peak performance, then pivots to the real topic: transforming machine shops from fixed to mixed mindsets. By rethinking workholding, machine real estate, and...
info_outlineIn this episode of Lights Out, we’re joined by a true innovator in the manufacturing space, Al Whatmough, CEO of Toolpath. Al brings a wealth of experience from his time at Autodesk and his leadership at Toolpath, where he’s driving the next wave of automation in CNC machining. Together, we dive into the revolutionary role that AI is playing in reshaping manufacturing operations, offering fresh perspectives on how automation can enhance productivity and streamline processes on the shop floor.
Throughout the conversation, Al unpacks the exciting developments at Toolpath, including their acquisition of Chatter, a key technology that helps shops automate their operations more effectively. He shares his vision for the future of manufacturing, where AI doesn’t just automate processes but actively assists in decision-making, freeing up cognitive load for operators and improving workflow efficiency.
We also explore the challenges traditional shops face when integrating new technology and how bridging generational gaps in the workforce is crucial for embracing the full potential of automation.
This episode is a must-listen for manufacturing leaders looking to understand how AI and automation can create smarter, more agile operations. Al’s insights into the real-world applications of AI, along with his thoughtful reflections on industry trends, will inspire you to think differently about the tools you use and the systems you have in place.
You'll want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- (0:00) Chatting about our time at the MFG Meeting 2025
- (3:06) Introducing Al Whatmough, CEO of Toolpath
- (3:40) Bridging the generational divide in manufacturing
- (6:20) Al's journey from Autodesk to Toolpath and what they aim to achieve
- (8:37) Building trust in AI and overcoming skepticism from more traditional shops
- (11:11) The acquisition of Chatter and how it enhances Toolpath’s capabilities
- (12:39) Why automation should focus on the mundane tasks to free up cognitive load
- (13:38) The dangers of chasing complex problems rather than solving simple ones
- (15:52) The importance of understanding customer needs and creating tailored solutions
- (18:13) The intersection of AI and existing technologies in modern manufacturing
- (21:24) Rethinking workflows with AI and improving the connection between tools
- (26:57) Know what you’re good at and learn to do it well
- (33:22) Reflections on the future of AI and automation in manufacturing
Connect with Al Whatmough
Connect With Lights Out
Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK