# Episode 160: Robotic blacksmiths - Edward Mehr

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2026-06-12
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 160
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr

## Summary

Edward Mehr, Co-Founder and CEO of Machina Labs, explains how their RoboCraftsman system uses AI-driven robotics to perform flexible, on-demand metal forming for aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. He details the transition from traditional, rigid factories to portable, software-defined 'data center' style manufacturing that eliminates economies of scale constraints. Mehr discusses the technical challenges of sheet metal springback and how the company bridges the simulation-to-reality gap by combining physics-based models with real-world data capture. He also highlights their work with NASA and the Air Force to rapidly repair legacy systems, and a partnership with Toyota to enable mass-customized vehicle bodies.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr#t=7) Introduction: Claire Asher and Robot Talk Shop
- [2:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr#t=131) Machina Labs Mission: Flexible Factories vs. Custom Hardware
- [5:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr#t=330) The RoboCraftsman: Robot Blacksmith and Containerized System
- [11:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr#t=665) Sheet Metal Challenges: Springback, Finicky Material, and Data Capture
- [14:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr#t=861) Simulation to Reality: Bridging the Gap with Physics and Real Data
- [21:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr#t=1260) Defense and Automotive Applications: NASA, Air Force, and Toyota
- [25:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr#t=1528) Background at Relativity Space and SpaceX: 3D Printing and Mars Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Machina Labs (company)
- RoboCraftsman (product)
- Relativity Space (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- NASA (company)
- Toyota (company)
- Air Force (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ed Mehr on Transforming Manufacturing at Machina Labs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [150. Ed Mehr & Machina’s Robot Army Transform Manufacturing (Interview)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-11-28-150-ed-mehr-machinas-robot-army-transform-manufacturing-interview) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [118. Sheet Metal Forming Goes High-Tech with Robotics & AI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-18-118-sheet-metal-forming-goes-high-tech-with-robotics-ai) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-09-electronica-24-the-rise-of-ai-powered-robotics-at-fideltronik-and-beyond) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [The inside scoop on food manufacturing with Chef Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-05-31-the-inside-scoop-on-food-manufacturing-with-chef-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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