# The $5 Automation Project Hiding in Your Shop | Ep. 50

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2026-09-25
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 50
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50

## Summary

Uriel Eisen, founder of Arda and Austere Manufacturing, explains how he doubled throughput in his 325-square-foot shop by implementing Kanban and lean principles rather than buying robots. He details the transition from index cards to his software platform, Arda, to solve inventory stockouts that were derailing production. Eisen discusses the hidden costs of micro-interruptions, the importance of reliability over cycle time, and how reducing friction in processes like tooling and ordering yields faster ROI than expensive automation.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=0) Introduction and Maker Background
- [4:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=253) From Spacesuits to Austere Manufacturing
- [10:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=658) The Inventory Crisis and Lean Awakening
- [10:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=658) Implementing Kanban and SMED
- [21:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=1289) Building Arda to Automate Ordering
- [28:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=1716) Reducing Friction and Shadow Boards
- [35:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=2126) The Case for Low-Tech Automation
- [43:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50#t=2600) How to Start on Monday

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Arda (product)
- Austere Manufacturing (company)
- SMW Autoblok (company)
- Tormach (product)
- Speedio (product)
- DN Solutions (company)
- Factur (company)
- Paul Akers (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Robot-Lean: Synthesizing Automation and Lean Manufacturing w/ Alex Webster](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-03-robot-lean-synthesizing-automation-and-lean-manufacturing-w-alex-webster) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Bringing Lean Manufacturing to Life Through Visual Workspaces w/ Steve Riley](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-30-bringing-lean-manufacturing-to-life-through-visual-workspaces-w-steve-riley) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [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)
- [S7E30 Steve Riley | Small Improvements, Big ROI: Lessons from the Factory Floor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-07-17-s7e30-steve-riley-small-improvements-big-roi-lessons-from-the-factory-floor) (Being an Engineer)
- [#068 - Challenges of small manufacturers to organise their production and inventory, with Kristjan Vilosius of Katana, Estonia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2019-05-15-068-challenges-of-small-manufacturers-to-organise-their-production-and-inventory) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)

## 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/2026-09-25-the-5-automation-project-hiding-in-your-shop-ep-50. 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.