Hardware Podcasts

How to Prioritize Flexibility when You Invest in Automation, Ep #4

Lights Out · 20 Nov 2024 · 36m · Episode 4

What this episode covers

Tom Schroeder, Executive Vice President at PBC Linear, explains how the company replaced an aging Hitachi Seiki flexible manufacturing system (FMS) with a new MCM system to prioritize flexibility and solve high-mix, low-volume production challenges. He details the transition from rigid, machine-specific tooling to a centralized shuttle system with RFID-tracked tools, which reduced cycle times by 40% and eliminated the need for duplicate tooling. Schroeder emphasizes a 'failing forward' approach to automation, citing lessons learned from chip evacuation and drilling issues, and argues that automation creates jobs by automating non-value-added tasks rather than reducing headcount.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
PBC Linear, MCM, Hitachi Seiki
Tools
NetSuite
Also
RFID

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