# Before You Buy Another Spindle, Use the Ones You Have, #43

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2026-06-19
- Length: 1h 00m
- Episode: 43
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43

## Summary

Walt Swenton, Senior Manager of Advanced Manufacturing at Eaton, explains why shops must solve problems with data before buying new CNC equipment. He outlines a three-level OEE strategy, starting with basic machine monitoring to identify idle time, then adding operator context, and finally leveraging advanced data for AI-driven insights. Swenton emphasizes that standardized, digitized tool management via ZOLLER systems is the critical foundation for any smart factory or automation initiative.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43#t=0) Introduction and Walt Swenton's Background
- [6:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43#t=364) Problem-First Thinking and OEE Strategy
- [18:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43#t=1117) The Three Levels of OEE and Data Infrastructure
- [28:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43#t=1682) Tool Management and the 'Clean Your Garage' Problem
- [41:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43#t=2505) Change Management and the Future of Manufacturing Engineering

## Topics

- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ZOLLER (company)
- Eaton (company)
- DN Solutions (company)
- ProShop ERP (product)
- Palantir (company)
- Zoller Smile 420 (product)
- Zoller Venturion (product)
- Fanuc (company)
- Haas (company)
- DMG Mori (company)
- Collins Aerospace (company)
- Raytheon Technologies (company)
- Altair PCS (company)
- Airbus (company)
- Boeing (company)
- Mastercam (product)
- Simcoe (company)
- Flexware (company)
- Spark MES (product)
- Inconel 718 (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Value of Data Democratization in Manufacturing | MachineMetric's Graham Immerman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-09-01-the-value-of-data-democratization-in-manufacturing-machinemetrics-graham-immerma) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [MES & Industry 4.0 Summit: Discovering the Future of Smart Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-09-18-mes-industry-4-0-summit-discovering-the-future-of-smart-manufacturing) (EE Times Current)
- [The Connected Factory Floor: L2L and Data Management](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management) (Over the Air)
- [250: How to Uncover Your "Hidden Factory" and Extract More Value from the Plant Floor featuring Tri Tech Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [What Manufacturers Truly Need From an MES System w/ Graham Immerman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-05-27-what-manufacturers-truly-need-from-an-mes-system-w-graham-immerman) (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/2026-06-19-before-you-buy-another-spindle-use-the-ones-you-have-43. 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.