End of the Line

In this episode, Jim discusses how perfection in manufacturing may be the sign of highly imperfect manufacturing system. In general, defective parts should not be celebrated, but he argues that defective rates that are on target every time should. Click here to watch the latest in video.

Tesla’s concept is to diecast the entire rear subframe and suspension carrier assembly for the Model Y crossover, consolidating the previous six part design into one. In this episode, Jim discusses the pros and cons of consolidating these mulit-part pieces into one assembly. Click here to watch the latest in video.

For the economy to run, factories have to produce. But from a regulatory standpoint, 2020 hasn't been business a usual. In this episode, Jim explores how are manufacturers and their employees share in the responsibility of mitigating the potential spread of Covid-19 in their factories to keep them running, and how to navigate it should it occur to help stave off shutdowns, and ultimately to keep t...

Even if a factory floor isn't collecting data from machine operation in real-time, modern control systems require conductivity for safety and maintenance reasons. Jim discusses the pros and cons of wired vs wireless connectivity on the shop floor, cabling considerations and speeds, as well the challenges of connecting legacy equipment in modern facilities. Click here to watch the latest in video.

The world’s largest automakers, Toyota and Volkswagen, make about 10 million vehicles a year. But if you measure it by market cap, Tesla leads by greater than both of those companies’ combined. How can the world’s largest automaker by market cap make so few motor vehicles? Click here to watch the latest in video.

The ISO 9001 standard has become the “seal of approval” for American manufacturing. But how many really understand what ISO 9001 is? It's a quality management standard but that’s completely different from a manufacturing quality standard. Click here to watch the latest in video.

Claroty, an operational technology security firm, has a biannual risk and vulnerability report studying industrial control systems. The first iteration shows that manufacturing is highly vulnerable to attack, both targeted and opportunist. Click here to watch the latest in video.

We know that COVID-19 has disrupted American manufacturing, but how is it affecting small and medium sized operations? We hear a lot about Boeing, GM and the other majors, but three quarters of American manufacturers employ 20 people or less. Click here to watch the latest in video.

We know that COVID-19 has disrupted American manufacturing, but how is it affecting small and medium sized operations? We hear a lot about Boeing, GM and the other majors, but three quarters of American manufacturers employ 20 people or less. Click here to watch the latest in video.

This election cycle has a focus on manufacturing, particularly from the Trump Administration, who have made reshoring a major plank in the president’s re-election platform. It’s a low risk “motherhood” issue, and it’s great that someone is emphasizing the importance of manufacturing to the American economy, but is it actually achievable today? Click here to watch the latest in video.

At SpaceX, blowing up hardware is a normal part of their “fail faster” development process. In the rocket business, it has a long history. Click here to watch the latest in video.

Now that we're past the first wave of the pandemic, it's time for the "big restart." But how and where do manufacturers begin? Jim discusses processes and best practices to get the production lines rolling again. Click here to watch the latest in video.

Jim Anderton discusses the rocket rise in market cap for alternate energy truck maker Nikola. CEO Trevor Milton says fuel cells are the future. Elon Musk says they’re "fool cells". Who's right? Click here to watch the latest in video.