Automation 101 with Chris Luecke Manufacturing Happy Hour, Ep #2

Lights Out · 20 Nov 2024 · 48m · Episode 2

What this episode covers

Chris Luecke, host of the Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast and sales engineer in the automation space, joins Nick Golner and Jason Zanger of MakingChips to discuss 'Automation 101' for machine shops. They cover the shift from large capital projects to accessible, subscription-based automation models, the critical need for stable processes before automating, and the importance of IT/OT convergence and cybersecurity baselines for small to mid-sized manufacturers.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 09m

    276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum

    Host Chris Luecke interviews economists and industry leaders at the A3 Business Forum about the 2026 automation outlook. Economist Alex Chausovsky argues that manufacturing is transitioning from uncertainty to complexity, urging companies to rely on hard CapEx data rather than sentiment. Bob Little of Novanta and Alex Shikany of A3 discuss the $1+ trillion investment boom in US manufacturing and the critical role of smart automation in addressing labor shortages. Faye Goldstein of Barden and Stu Shepherd of Shepherd Solutions explore practical AI implementation in sales and the rigorous safety standards developed through theme park robotics.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 28m

    The New ROI of Automation w/ Scot Lindemann

    Scot Lindemann, CEO of Mission Design & Automation, explains that the ROI of automation must extend beyond simple labor replacement to include quality, consistency, and labor availability. He argues that automation should be treated as a continuous improvement journey rather than an all-or-nothing investment, citing examples like a football manufacturer who found value in smaller, targeted automations instead of a full line overhaul. Lindemann highlights how automating expensive capital equipment, such as in injection molding, can unlock hidden capacity without necessarily replacing the human operator. He advises manufacturers to start small, partner with integrators for long-term support, and focus on reducing process fragility caused by labor shortages.

  • From Paper and Spreadsheets to Connected Data: Making the Digital Leap w/ Ian Burns

    Ian Burns, President of Applied Control Engineering (ACE), discusses the transition of midsize manufacturers from paper and spreadsheets to connected, data-driven environments. He explains how digital twins are used for operator training and control system validation to reduce downtime, and highlights the critical need for Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity as systems become interconnected. Burns also notes that despite economic uncertainty, manufacturers can find value in incremental data investments rather than just large capital projects.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 2h 17m

    BONUS: IMTS 2024 Preview with MakingChips, Peter Eelman, and More

    Chris Luecke hosts a roundtable with MakingChips hosts Nick Golner and Jason Zanger, AMT’s Peter Eelman, and other manufacturing leaders to preview IMTS 2024. The group discusses the show's evolution from machine tools to automation and AI, the critical need for AI in preventative maintenance, and the shift toward additive manufacturing for complex geometries. They also address the industry's workforce crisis, highlighting how M&A and new technologies are helping shops scale and attract younger talent.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 16m

    BONUS: A Look Inside the 2022 A3 Business Forum

    Host Chris Luecke and co-host Jake Hall interview leaders from the 2022 A3 Business Forum, including Jeremy Dodson and Jay Korpi of NextLink Labs, who discuss cybersecurity and their work on the TV show Mr. Robot. Fady Saad of MassRobotics explains his 'startup escalator' model for helping robotics companies move from prototyping to production, while Suzy Teele of the ARM Institute highlights the RoboticsCrew.org database for workforce development. Greg Smith of Teradyne discusses the shift toward collaborative automation for small and medium-sized manufacturers, and Jim Devaprasad of Lake Superior State University talks about his pioneering robotics engineering program. Finally, Michael Sullivan of Miller Resource Group analyzes the current 'war on talent' and hiring strategies for Gen Z and Millennials.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Lights Out. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.