In this episode, we interview Ray Ziganto, President of Bi-Link, a global manufacturing company about his take-aways from the Crain’s Manufacturing Summit. • How does a manufacturing company stay on the leading edge? • How do you re-think manufacturing education? • Start with small steps. Cary Wood, President, Chief Executive Officer, Board Member of Sparton, talks about how to train and relate to the new workforce generation and why his turnover is so low. Dr. David Boulay, President of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), discusses how public-private partnerships like IMEC support small and midsize manufacturing companies. For more information on organizations like this, search for US Department of Commerce Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Dave Szczupak, Executive Vice President of Whirlpool, discusses the importance of local manufacturing companies to their supply chain and workforce development for the new generation. Dave also tells us about the FIRST Robotics Competition for the youngest future generation of manufacturing. Jim Schultz, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, discusses the importance of manufacturing to state commerce and how he is collaborating with his peers in other states. MakingChips.com/BiLink
What are the 3 most important actions that manufacturers can take now to improve their utilization of CAM software? In this episode, we interview Matt Sump with ShopWare, one the top resellers of MasterCAM Software. Jim answers the question: If you put 10 machinist in a shop and gave them a piece of material and a print, how many different ways will they produce that part? We discuss: • Latest trends in CAM software • How tool paths are calculated • Radial chip thinning • Most efficient amount of material removal • Surface feet per minute • Spindle speed • Utilizing a tooling database in CAM software • Machine utilization • Dynamic Machining versus High Speed Machining • Improving machining hydraulic manifolds using CAM software • Utilizing Dynamic Tool Paths • Automating existing processes with macros • Going beyond the basics by automating ! We briefly talk about the history of how MakingChips was started.
!! In our Manufacturing News segment, we discuss an article declaring that US manufacturing is going extinct. I’m going to state it here: if you remove manufacturing from the US Economy, the United States will lose 30% of its GDP. ShopWare http://www.shopwareinc.com Matt Sump www.linkedin.com/in/mattsump/en
In this episode, Jim and I discuss how you can receive grant money to expand your manufacturing business. We specifically discuss the Federal TAAF Grant that Jim was awarded, the process that he went through, the reimbursed expenses and how he coupled two programs together. Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms MakingChips.com/TAAF In our Manufacturing News segment, we discuss an article in the LA Times that states manufacturing is slower to grow in California than any other state in the USA. The main factor for slow growth in California is the cost of doing business in the state. We have 2 questions for you: 1. Have you been successful receiving grant money? If so, please share your story in the comments for this episode. 2. Would you like us to share more information associated with grant money, so you can take advantage of this under-utilized resource?
Roberts Swiss, a 60 year old manufacturer of Precision Swiss Machined Parts. Fernando gives
actionable advise to others who are not born into privilege and do not have a lot of resources,
but desire to seek advancement starting from the ground floor.
Fernando attributes his career success to:
• Taking advantage of learning from every possible resource - including the people who stood
in his way
• Tackling large projects
• Questioning the WHY behind business processes
• Working hard and doing the right thing
• Being the conduit of change
• Realizing challenges as opportunities for growth
• Bringing a culture of excellence
• Grace
In our Manufacturing News segment, we discuss an article that stated US Stocks started the
year mixed because manufacturing growth stalled in December, which proves that manufacturing
makes a huge difference to the US economy.
#ManufacturingMatters
When should the owners of a business start succession planning? NOW!
In our Manufacturing News segment, we discuss an article stating that slow manufacturing
growth doesn’t matter to the economy.