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

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2024-11-20
- Length: 48m
- Episode: 2
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2#t=0) Introduction and Lean Setup Guide Sponsor
- [10:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2#t=633) Chris Luecke's Career and Manufacturing Happy Hour Origins
- [21:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2#t=1308) Why Automation is Popular Now: Talent and Affordability
- [30:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2#t=1809) Automation 101: Stable Processes and Robot Wranglers
- [36:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2#t=2200) IT/OT Convergence and Digital Transformation
- [43:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2#t=2601) Cybersecurity Assessments and Grants for Manufacturers

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Pro Shop (tool)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- Texas A&M (other)
- Tesla (company)
- Robo Job USA (product)
- IMTS (other)
- NAM (company)
- IMAC (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-24-276-2026-automation-industry-outlook-live-from-the-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The New ROI of Automation w/ Scot Lindemann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-08-the-new-roi-of-automation-w-scot-lindemann) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [From Paper and Spreadsheets to Connected Data: Making the Digital Leap w/ Ian Burns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [BONUS: IMTS 2024 Preview with MakingChips, Peter Eelman, and More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-08-30-bonus-imts-2024-preview-with-makingchips-peter-eelman-and-more) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: A Look Inside the 2022 A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-22-bonus-a-look-inside-the-2022-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Lights Out.