In this episode, Jim discusses the Vernier caliper vs the steel rule - common tools in the engineer's pocket, but are they being used correctly in the right setting?

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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.

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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.

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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 the economy working.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.