The Quiet Cut That's Loudly Threatening Small Manufacturing
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Release Date: 04/19/2025
Is Coaching the Key to Lights-Out Success? Ep #16
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
What happens when cutting-edge CAM automation meets boots-on-the-ground manufacturing know-how? You get an eye-opening conversation that will challenge the way you think about the future of your shop—and your role in it. In this episode of Lights Out, we sit down with David Vuyk, a guy who’s walked every inch of the shop floor and now finds himself at the forefront of digital manufacturing transformation with CloudNC. But don’t expect a tech sales pitch—this is a candid, no-holds-barred look at the human side of automation and why real success hinges on more than just software....
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The Quiet Cut That's Loudly Threatening Small Manufacturing
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Most small manufacturers don’t realize they’re being quietly supported by one of the most impactful public-private partnerships in the country. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has long been the hidden backbone behind training programs, grant facilitation, process improvements, and critical tech upgrades for shops across the U.S. But recent Federal decisions to defund these programs—without clear communication or reasoning—have sparked confusion and alarm among industry insiders. In this episode, a passionate roundtable of manufacturers and advocates reveals just how...
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The Juice-to-Squeeze Ratio: Why Time Freedom Isn’t Optional for Shop Owners, Ep #15
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
What if the real sign of a thriving machine shop isn’t how hard the lights are on—but how confidently you can turn them off? In this episode of Lights Out, we sit back down with Ryan Bankel of Imago Manufacturing to get into the guts of how a high-performing shop can run with minimal human presence and still crank out quality parts. This isn't about overnight success—it’s about obsessing, intelligently and intentionally, over what "lights out" actually takes, from tooling considerations to culture, chip control to checklists. Ryan pulls back the curtain on how he reengineered not...
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Automation: The Key to Time Freedom in Machining, Ep #14
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Have you ever felt like the traditional path of working harder to get ahead isn't the answer? In this episode, Ryan Bankel, founder of Imago Precision Machining, shares the story of how he built his business from the ground up. What started in a garage has grown into a company with a strong focus on sustainability and automation. Ryan talks about how he carefully crafted his shop’s operations to run smoothly, even without him being physically present. His goal? Time freedom—not just for himself, but for his employees, too. As a self-taught machinist, Ryan didn’t follow the...
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The AI Revolution: Rethinking Automation with Al Whatmough, Ep #13
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
In 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...
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Make the Right Chips, Do the Right Work, Ep #12
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
Are robots really taking over human jobs, or is it the other way around? In this eye-opening episode of Lights Out, hosts Nick and Kaleb sit down with automation expert Max Falcone to challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in manufacturing: that automation replaces workers. Instead, they argue that too many people are still stuck performing tedious, repetitive tasks that should already be automated—tasks that drain productivity, increase injuries, and contribute to worker burnout. With over 23 years of experience in automation, robotics, and material finishing, Max brings a fresh...
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The Throughput Mindset: How Automation and Culture Drive Success, Ep #11
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
What separates the best shops from the crowd? It’s not just the technology they use—it’s the way they think. The top manufacturing leaders aren’t content with operators who say, ‘I run a mill,’ or ‘She programs machines.’ Instead, they cultivate a culture where everyone is focused on one goal: increasing throughput. By aligning your people, resources, and technology to make your business successful, you build a team where nobody is a cog in the wheel—everyone is part of a powerful engine. For years, many in the industry have seen robotics and automation as unnecessary...
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Business Moves at the Speed of Trust with Wade Anderson, Ep #10
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
In this episode of Lights Out, Wade Anderson, VP of Engineering and Automation at Okuma delivers a compelling look at how automation is transforming the manufacturing landscape. Along with Steve DeGrasse, the East Coast Regional Sales Director at Hennig, we uncover why tomorrow’s machine tools will require rethinking—like side-door access for robots and integrated pallet delivery systems—and how additive manufacturing and AI will reshape priorities even for small shops aiming to go lights-out. With a trust-first approach, Wade explains how maximizing a customer’s current...
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Chip and Coolant Management for Machining Automation with Blaser Swisslube and Hennig, Ep #9
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
In this episode of Lights Out, we explore how cutting-edge coolant technology is transforming manufacturing by enabling efficiency, stability, and sustainability. Tiffany Bryson and Christopher Porsch of Blaser emphasize the need for a repeatable, reliable process, noting that automation hinges on stable coolant systems. Scott Cooley, with Hennig, explains how tailored solutions address each customer’s specific materials and machining needs, with advanced filtration systems supporting lights-out operations by maintaining a clean, stable environment. Blaser’s approach to coolant as a...
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Are You Even Prepared to Run a Lights Out Shop? Ep #8
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips
What do you need to know before you launch automation in your shop? What would be signs that you’re not ready to automate? If you’re launching the process, how can you use your ERP/MRP to the fullest? Even the smallest mistakes—like not having a process in place to deal with the chips your machines are creating while running lights out—can be costly. We want to help you avoid those costly errors. That’s why Paul Van Metre and Mike Payne join me to tackle the important things you need to consider before you run lights out. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not...
info_outlineMost small manufacturers don’t realize they’re being quietly supported by one of the most impactful public-private partnerships in the country. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has long been the hidden backbone behind training programs, grant facilitation, process improvements, and critical tech upgrades for shops across the U.S. But recent Federal decisions to defund these programs—without clear communication or reasoning—have sparked confusion and alarm among industry insiders.
In this episode, a passionate roundtable of manufacturers and advocates reveals just how deeply the MEPs have shaped their businesses, supported workforce development, and opened doors to opportunity they couldn’t have accessed alone. From AR-integrated quoting tools to automation investment guidance, these stories show a clear economic impact that extends far beyond individual shops—right into the health of local communities and the national manufacturing strategy.
If you're just hearing about MEPs now, you're not alone—but you are at risk. This conversation lays out what’s at stake, why it matters, and what you can do right now to help save a resource that quietly powers tens of thousands of manufacturers nationwide.
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