Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips

In this explosive second installment of our manufacturing audio drama, The Automation Trap , we return to the saga of Gary and his struggling shop, Iron Clunk Machining. Desperate to prove himself and catch up to his more successful rival Klaus, Gary dives headfirst into automation—but without the foundational principles that make automation work. The result? A perfect storm of waste, burnout, and...

What happens when a desperate shop owner tries to copy someone else's success—without understanding the system behind it? In this episode of  Lights Out , Nick and Kaleb are joined by their friend and workholding expert Eric Nekich to break down the first chapter of a fictional story that might hit a little too close to home.  "The Automation Trap" follows Gary, the stressed-out owner of IronClunk...

What if going "lights out" wasn't about giant robots or million-dollar cells—but about one simple mindset shift? In this kickoff to our new  Automation Academy  series, we break down the truth behind successful automation. Spoiler: it's not just about buying a robot. It's about building a stable process, defining standards, and rethinking what's possible in your shop. Whether you're already dabbli...

What happens when cutting-edge CAM automation meets boots-on-the-ground manufacturing know-how? You get an eye-opening conversation that will challenge the way you think about the future of your shop—and your role in it.  In this episode of Lights Out, we sit down with David Vuyk, a guy who's walked every inch of the shop floor and now finds himself at the forefront of digital manufacturing transf...

Most small manufacturers don't realize they're being quietly supported by one of the most impactful public-private partnerships in the country. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has long been the hidden backbone behind training programs, grant facilitation, process improvements, and critical tech upgrades for shops across the U.S. But recent Federal decisions to defund these programs—w...

What if the real sign of a thriving machine shop isn't how hard the lights are on—but how confidently you can turn them off? In this episode of  Lights Out , we sit back down with Ryan Bankel of Imago Manufacturing to get into the guts of how a high-performing shop can run with minimal human presence and still crank out quality parts. This isn't about overnight success—it's about obsessing, intell...

Have you ever felt like the traditional path of working harder to get ahead isn't the answer? In this episode, Ryan Bankel, founder of Imago Precision Machining, shares the story of how he built his business from the ground up.  What started in a garage has grown into a company with a strong focus on sustainability and automation. Ryan talks about how he carefully crafted his shop's operations to...

In this episode of Lights Out, we're joined by a true innovator in the manufacturing space, Al Whatmough, CEO of Toolpath. Al brings a wealth of experience from his time at Autodesk and his leadership at Toolpath, where he's driving the next wave of automation in CNC machining. Together, we dive into the revolutionary role that AI is playing in reshaping manufacturing operations, offering fresh pe...

Are robots really taking over human jobs, or is it the other way around? In this eye-opening episode of Lights Out, hosts Nick and Kaleb sit down with automation expert Max Falcone to challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in manufacturing: that automation replaces workers.  Instead, they argue that too many people are still stuck performing tedious, repetitive tasks that should already be au...

What separates the best shops from the crowd? It's not just the technology they use—it's the way they think. The top manufacturing leaders aren't content with operators who say, 'I run a mill,' or 'She programs machines.'  Instead, they cultivate a culture where everyone is focused on one goal: increasing throughput. By aligning your people, resources, and technology to make your business successf...

In this episode of Lights Out, Wade Anderson, VP of Engineering and Automation at Okuma delivers a compelling look at how automation is transforming the manufacturing landscape.  Along with Steve DeGrasse, the East Coast Regional Sales Director at Hennig, we uncover why tomorrow's machine tools will require rethinking—like side-door access for robots and integrated pallet delivery systems—and how...

In this episode of Lights Out , we explore how cutting-edge coolant technology is transforming manufacturing by enabling efficiency, stability, and sustainability. Tiffany Bryson and Christopher Porsch of Blaser emphasize the need for a repeatable, reliable process, noting that automation hinges on stable coolant systems.  Scott Cooley, with Hennig, explains how tailored solutions address each cus...

What do you need to know before you launch automation in your shop? What would be signs that you're not ready to automate? If you're launching the process, how can you use your ERP/MRP to the fullest?  Even the smallest mistakes—like not having a process in place to deal with the chips your machines are creating while running lights out—can be costly. We want to help you avoid those costly errors....

Here's our controversial take: We believe that "automated" is more important than "operated". It's a stance that scares a lot of operators—but it shouldn't. In this episode of MakingChips, Mike Payne and Kaleb Mertz return to dive into part loading and pallet loading, a mixed vs fixed mindset, and why predictive is better than reactive. We'll connect all of it back to every shop's end goal: busine...

Machine monitoring can give us insights into our machines that can and  should  change how we're operating. The end goal is to drive better business results. But how should monitoring be paired with advanced business strategies to help you achieve those results? Mike Payne, Kaleb Mertz and I connect the dots in this episode of MakingChips. Because if you're not efficiently MakingChips, you're not...

Can small shops begin to automate their processes? Where do they start with automation? In this episode of MakingChips, the CNC Samurai, Steve Courchane, returns to share his passion for automation. He lays out his 3M process and how it changes the way you view automation. Because if you're not modeling, making, or measuring—you're not MakingChips. And if you're not MakingChips, you're not making...

POV: You've decided to start the process of implementing automation in your machine shop—but it isn't as easy as flipping a switch. It's a  process  that consists of failing forward and learning from every mistake. Tom Schroeder—the Executive Vice President at PBC Linear—joins us in this episode of Lights Out to share how to prioritize flexibility when you invest in and begin to implement automati...

Are you embracing automation in your shop? Or are you hesitating because you're unsure how to implement it so that you're making the best use of your time and money? Brian Kippen—the owner and CEO of KAD Models & Prototypes—reframes how you can use automation.  In this episode of MakingChips, Brian Kippen, Steve DeGrasse, and I share how you can approach automation from a different perspective. Be...

Automation continues to be a popular and divisive topic in the manufacturing world. Automation is important for attracting and retaining young talent  and  growing your business. So we've been working hard to highlight the importance of automation—and where you can dive in—with our Lights Out series.  Chris Luecke—the host of Manufacturing Happy Hour—has a similar goal. We're using our platforms t...

Lights out manufacturing isn't only a large topic of conversation but it's also the way of the future. Shops around the world are embracing automation. Are you? If you haven't become part of the automation conversation, don't miss our first lights-out-focused episode with Special guest Titan Gilroy. He shares how automation has progressed, the mindset you need to embrace to be successful, and how...