Hardware Podcasts

The Dirty Little Secret of Digital Manufacturing: Why People Still Matter w/ Rush LaSelle

The Manufacturing Executive · 11 Nov 2025 · Episode 283

What this episode covers

Rush LaSelle, CEO of Fathom Digital Manufacturing, discusses the critical role of human expertise in digital manufacturing, arguing that technology must augment rather than replace skilled engineers to navigate complex trade-offs. He defines 'digital enablement' as using software speed to accelerate hardware iteration and supply chain integration for startups and Fortune 500 companies alike. LaSelle also offers a skeptical view on humanoid robots, citing safety and tactile feedback limitations, while emphasizing the urgent need to recruit young talent to fill 600,000+ open US manufacturing jobs.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Fathom Digital Manufacturing, Gorilla 76, REI, 3DX Tech, Jabil, Fanuc, Edgeworks
Also
Elon Musk

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