Hardware Podcasts

Robot-Lean: Synthesizing Automation and Lean Manufacturing w/ Alex Webster

The Manufacturing Executive · 3 Jun 2025 · Episode 260

What this episode covers

Alex Webster, Founder and CEO of SDMS Robotics, explains how machine shops can synthesize traditional lean manufacturing principles with robotic automation to address labor shortages and high operational costs. He details the technical shift from traditional pallet pool systems to flexible, programmable workholding and gripping that enables high-mix, low-volume automation. Webster also discusses the role of industrial policy in reshoring and provides practical advice for manufacturers seeking to integrate robots from CNC machine integrators like Fanuc.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
SDMS Robotics, Fanuc, Universal Robots, Gorilla 76
Also
San Diego City College, UC Santa Barbara

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