# The 20-Hour Machine: Automation, Throughput & Smarter Capacity Planning, Ep #42

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2026-06-05
- Length: 53m
- Episode: 42
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42

## Summary

Mike Padilla, founder of Hill Manufacturing, and Nick Golner of Making Chips discuss how Hill is using automation and strategic capital expenditure planning to scale capacity without simply adding headcount. They detail the concept of the '20-hour machine,' explaining that realistic unattended runtime targets must account for tooling and setups, and how integrating machine monitoring with tool life optimization prevents costly crashes during lights-out operations. The conversation highlights how automation frees skilled machinists from 'doorman' tasks to focus on higher-value work, while also emphasizing the critical importance of vendor service support and calculating the true cost of downtime when making equipment investments.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=0) Introduction: Live from DN Solutions Open House
- [4:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=277) Mike Padilla's 3-Year CapEx Planning and Machine Strategy
- [11:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=700) IMTS Sponsor Read and Maximizing Existing Equipment
- [17:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=1044) Integrating Automation, Monitoring, and Tool Life Optimization
- [22:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=1325) The Speed of Innovation and DIY vs. Professional Solutions
- [28:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=1699) The Hidden Costs of Downtime and DIY Fixes
- [31:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=1889) Automation as a Tool to Free Skilled Employees
- [35:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=2142) Calculating Capacity and ROI for New Customer Demand
- [46:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42#t=2776) The Critical Importance of Vendor Service Support

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- DN Solutions (company)
- Hill Manufacturing (company)
- Making Chips (company)
- Buy the Numbers (other)
- Lights Out (other)
- IMTS (other)
- Takasawa (other)
- Heller (other)
- SMW Autoblok (company)
- Hemach (company)
- Dusan (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [BONUS: Top 5 Manufacturing Solutions in 2020](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-09-29-bonus-top-5-manufacturing-solutions-in-2020) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [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)
- [Exploring Facility Scale, Automation, and Supplier Partnerships with IMI's Oscar Valdivia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-exploring-facility-scale-automation-and-supplier-partnerships-with-imis-oscar-va) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [How to Solve the Technology Hesitancy Issue in Manufacturing w/ Erik Nieves](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-07-how-to-solve-the-technology-hesitancy-issue-in-manufacturing-w-erik-nieves) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## 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/2026-06-05-the-20-hour-machine-automation-throughput-smarter-capacity-planning-ep-42. 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.