Minds on Manufacturing

MC Machinery's Application Manager for Fabrication Mike Koch shares what's in store at FABTECH November 8, 9 and 10 in Atlanta, including the latest in lasers, automation and press brakes. The Minds on Manufacturing podcast discusses timely fabrication and machining topics impacting today's manufacturers. 

The International Manufacturing Technology Show is right around the corner--September 12th through the 17th at McCormick Place in Chicago. In this episode, MC Machinery's Mike Bystrek shares what's in store at this highly anticipated event, including demos of the latest wire and sinker EDMs, automation and precision milling machines. 

Manufacturers continue to face supply chain challenges that are impacting delivery time, inventory management and costs. In this episode, MC Machinery Senior Purchasing Manager Brian Howard, Senior Buyer Sheila Uribe and CPG Group National Sales Manager George Johnson discuss the current supply chain challenges facing manufacturers, how they are adjusting to these challenges and expectations for the future. They discuss:Just-in-time manufacturing has become "just in case"How overseas port closures, California trucker protests and a contract labor dispute  between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association are impacting shipmentsShipping costs remain high, including surcharges and port feesSupply chain issues are dynamic and require finding creative solutions on the flyProduced by MC Machinery Systems, the Minds on Manufacturing podcast covers timely topics in fabricating, machining and manufacturing in general. For more information, visit https://www.mcmachinery.com/minds-on-manufacturing-podcast.

Data has become essential to running a successful, profitable manufacturing company and the pandemic demonstrated that digital technology can be a major competitive advantage. MC Machinery Service & Parts Sales Manager Chris Jarrell discusses how remote monitoring on EDMs and lasers can decrease downtime, prevent costly maintenance issues, reduce bottlenecks and much more.

MC Machinery Laser and Press Brake Applications Manager Michael Koch discusses solutions to some of the biggest challenges currently facing manufacturers, including labor shortages, skyrocketing material costs, diminishing material quality and the negative effects of high-powered lasers on manufacturing velocity. In his decade-long career at MC Machinery, Koch has held positions in the Installation, Service and Sales Departments, primarily helping customers with specific applications, manufacturing issues and process improvements. 

MC Machinery press brake expert John Meyer discusses press brake automatic tool changers, an increasingly popular technology used by fabricators to improve forming department productivity and efficiency. John shares the different types of press brake ATCs, common production issues that they can solve, what to consider when buying an ATC, how they can impact production, trends in ATC technology, and more.

In this episode, we are discussing the global supply chain issues that are disrupting manufacturers of all types and sizes. Our guests are MC Machinery's Consumables Product Group National Sales Manager George Johnson and Senior Purchasing Manager Brian Howard, both of whom are dealing with these supply chain problems on a daily basis--including managing the complex logistics of transporting consumables and machines from overseas and overseeing inventory and pricing amid shortages and skyrocketing costs.

In this episode, we are talking with Shae Eichele, Marketing Coordinator  for The HEH Group-- a family of companies that includes Crotts & Saunders, a machine tool and metrology solution provider in Winston-Salem, N.C. that serves North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  Many of our listeners may already be familiar with Shae, who has become the face of Crotts & Saunders on social media with lively, creative videos and promotions. 

In this episode, Mary Bopp talks with Mitsubishi EDM Applications Engineer Trent Langelier about how to maximize wire EDM performance and productivity by using the right technology.

Many fabricators don't realize the impact of laser consumables on machine performance, longevity, and profitability. MC Machinery consumables expert, Berny Olguin, shares his knowledge and insight based on nearly 20 years of experience helping fabricators get the most out of their laser investment. www.mcmachinery.com/consumables2/

According to Gallup, two million skilled workers are needed in the U.S. manufacturing sector. With women totaling around 47 percent of the overall U.S. workforce, they still only represent 29 percent of the manufacturing workforce. In this episode, we discuss the lack of women in the manufacturing industry, why it's important to get more women in manufacturing jobs, and ways to do that for the benefit of individual businesses, the U.S. manufacturing industry and the U.S. economy.1:25-Interview with Lindsey Lawton, a Minnesota college student pursuing a career in welding.26:00-Interview with Allison Grealis, president of Women in Manufacturing, the only national trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry.41:23-Interview with Joy Abbitt, who has excelled in male-dominated fields her entire career, including as an avionics technician in the U.S. Navy where she worked on F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson.

Founded by two fabrication industry veterans, 3 Phaze Fab focuses on its core strengths to succeed in a competitive and challenging manufacturing environment. Learn more by listening to this engaging discussion between 3 Phaze Fab co-owners Kurt Wollenberg and Tad Kallas and MC Machinery National Press Brake Product Manager David Bray. 

On the newest episode of Minds on Manufacturing, MC Machinery’s David Bray and Ranger HVAC Production Manager Ryan Schlarb dive a little deeper into how to eliminate production bottlenecks and why investing in equipment and smart technology is important to both getting and keeping customers.

On the newest episode of Minds on Manufacturing, MC Machinery’s David Bray and Ranger HVAC Production Manager Ryan Schlarb discuss how new machines and technology have allowed the Canadian company to expand its customer base–during a pandemic, no less.Also covered: How to eliminate production bottlenecks and why investing in equipment and smart technology is important to both getting and keeping customers.

For most small- and mid-sized manufacturers, being competitive while turning a profit isn’t easy. Survival requires investment. Staub Manufacturing Solutions co-founder and President Steve Staub discusses how investments in automation have helped his company expand while also giving employees opportunities to grow their job responsibilities and increase their wages.

MC Machinery Press Brake Product Manager, David Bray, talks with Wilson Tool Product Manager, Steve Brown about how to select the right press brake tooling features for you and your company.

Cody Waggoner of Lasernut discusses with Mary Bopp of MC Machinery the different facets of working with lasers and pressbrakes.

Mark Bringle of Joe Gibbs Racing discusses with Mike Bystrek of Mitsubishi EDM the world of NASCAR racing in light of EDM technology.