Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Today’s episode of Making Chips features a listener question. You can leave your question for Jim and Jason to answer by going to www.MakingChips.com to leave your question. They just might answer it on an upcoming podcast episode. Today’s question has to do with costing out a job. Is there a standard formula or way to price out jobs in light of workers who are manning more than one machine, etc.? Jim has years of experience in costing out jobs so he’s got a lot to share in this episode. But first, some thoughts about the Making Chips growth curve The Podcast has been going gangbusters. Jim and Jason are both amazed that there have been 13,00o downloads of the show that have happened since they first began. They're eager to put that influence to even more work for you as the show continues. So the guys first of all want to "thank you" for supporting the show and their work to inform, educate, and expand the manufacturing industry. The guys also want to let you in on a materials sourcing company they've been working with. It's www.OnlineMetals.com. 24 hours a day you can go on this amazing website, receive materials quotes, and even order the products you need to fulfill your manufacturing orders. And if you use the promo code CHIPS and receive a 15% discount! Job costing Do you know how to cost out a machining job? Do you understand how to figure in the wear on the machine, the cost of your overhead and operator wages, the type of material you’ll be using for the job, weight of the part you’re producing, and other variables? If you don’t, you need to listen carefully to this episode of Making Chips. Jim explains how he goes about costing out a job, including how he uses an excel spreadsheet to figure out the cost. When you’re costing out a job, Jim has a powerfully practical tip to help you do the costing properly: take into consideration the size of the part you’re going to be working with on the job. A very large part is going to cost you more in terms of manpower and time. Jim sets a part of similar size on his desk to put the job into perspective. He’ll take it out to the machine and hold it up beside it to see how manageable it’s going to be. Don’t overlook this important consideration as you’re costing out a job in your shop. Listen in to find out more about how Jim goes about costing out jobs. Costing out a job can also be a bit tricky when it comes to the type of material being used. Manufacturers need to keep in mind that material costs may differ widely when creating parts from various materials. That’s a variable that has to be kept in mind so you don’t under-cost a job and cost yourself the profit margin you should have. Jim shares his tips on how to go about doing that in this episode of Making Chips. All this and more on this episode of Making Chips! Here’s the outline this episode The success of the podcast and a new supplier you can use - www.OnlineMetals.com A listener question about the topic of this episode: How do you cost out a job, are there recommended ways to go about it? What about when the same operator is working multiple machines? The listener also had a second question about a “lights out” machine and how to figure costs using that sort of setup. Making Chips is going to hit the road the third week of July 21, 2015- going to San Diego, CA. If you live nearby, come check it out and meet Jason and Jim. Say, “If you’re not making chips, you’re not making money” to get a free T-shirt. An invitation to anyone who is familiar with "lights out machining." Can you serve as a resource to the guys? If so, contact them at www.MakingChips.com/contact Five things to consider on Job Costing: Quantity - Type of material - Tolerance - Size of the part you’re making - Complexity of the part How often Jim evaluates his shop rates and the things he looks at to do the evaluation well. How Jim trains others in his company to do job costing. Is it possible to create computer software to do job costing? An invitation to you: ask us your question on the making chips website. Links mentioned on this episode www.OnlineMetals.com - get your 15% discount by using the code "MAKINGCHIPS" www.MakingChips.com/18 www.MakingChips.com/contact Or call us at 312-725-0245

We introduced you to Patricia Miller of Matrix IV back in episode 26 and in today’s episode we’re going to do a deeper dive into the challenges and victories Patricia has faced as she’s taken over the reigns of her family’s ailing manufacturing company. The insights she shares as a former marketer from the biotech field, looking into the manufacturing industry for the first time, are very insightful and worth a listen. As Patricia Miller took over the reigns of her grandfather’s failing company she realized that she had her work cut out for her. The company was stuck in the 70s and had to pivot quickly or else it would die. Patricia took immediate steps to do a handful of vital things - 4 in fact - that she highlights in this episode of Making Chips. First on Patricia Miller’s list of advice for those in the manufacturing industry is the vital need to build community and connection within the industry. She did exactly that after taking over as leader of Matrix IV, going to conventions and local meetups, using the internet to get to know other influencers and leaders within the manufacturing industry, and working to not only be known, but to get to know others in the community for the sake of mutual support and help as the industry moves forward in a new era. Patricia’s marketing background comes into play as she looks at the way the manufacturing industry has traditionally done its own marketing - and she’s convinced that more time needs to be spent by company owners getting to know their market, asking their customers how they are doing at meeting their needs, how their needs are changing, and what they can do to better serve and enable their clients to achieve their business goals. Companies need to become more concerned with creating a positive experience for their customers and those who might use their services in the future. As Matrix IV began to re-grow under the leadership of its new CEO, Patricia Miller, many challenges and hurdles had to be overcome. Morale and company culture needed attention immediately, as did the discovery of new pools or niches of customers so that the business could continue on a solvent path. On top of all that, Patricia had to discover how to add much needed employees to get the company producing effectively while balancing a very meager budget at the same time. You’ll learn a lot from Patricia’s advice. All this and more on this episode of Making Chips! . Here’s the outline of part two of the conversation with Patricia Patricia Miller from Matrix IV - inheriting a family business after a successful marketing career in the corporate world. Through the eyes of a newbie - Patricia’s observations and advice to those who are in the manufacturing industry. The power of community and connections within the industry and how Patricia made connections within the manufacturing community after taking over the helm at Matrix IV. Why Patricia thinks it’s very important for manufacturers to truly understand their market, their clients, and how to create a positive position for them. The first steps Patricia took to understand her market and customers. The valuable presence and a path forward for the manufacturing industry in the U.S. Why change is a great ally for manufacturing companies. The first thing that had to change in her company when Patricia moved into the manufacturing industry. How the culture in Patricia’s company has changed as she’s implemented improvements. The challenges of adding employees to an older company. The roadblocks experienced as the company experienced its re-growing pains. What Patricia believes will be the next steps in the growth of Matrix IV. Links mentioned on this episode Part 1 of the conversation with Patricia Miller - http://www.makingchips.com/mc026-40-year-old-manufacturing-startup-with-patricia-miller-of-matrix-iv-podcast/ Patricia’s company - Matrix IV - http://www.matrixiv.com/ Episode 18 with Ray Ziganta http://www.makingchips.com/the-third-place-for-engineers-with-ray-ziganto-mc018-podcast/ Episode 22 - Create your corporate snapshot http://www.makingchips.com/taking-your-corporate-snapshot-podcast-mc022/ www.MakingChips.com/contact Or call us at 312-725-0245 Tweets you can use to tell others about the benefits of vending systems Is my #manufacturing company a positive experience for my customers? http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=516 Learn to market your #manufacturing company without a #marketing degree http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=516 A #thankyounote is one of the most powerful messages you can send to your customers http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=516 Change produces hope, even in the #manufacturing industry http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=516 Changing the culture in your manufacturing shop is hard, but worth it http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=516 Why #change is a great ally for #manufacturing companies that want to grow http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=516

Marketing is an important part of any business. It’s got to be because it’s how you let people know who you are and what you do. That’s something that can never change. But the WAY you marketing has GOT to change. Why? Because the world we live in changes. People are repulsed or attracted by different things today than they were even a few years ago. Marketing has got to flex with the times. In this episode of Making Chips, Jim Carr and Jason Zenger walk you through their personal mindset about marketing for the manufacturing industry, focusing on the top old-school marketing tactics that don’t work in the modern era. Some of them are seen as “staples” of good marketing but simply don’t yield results and wind up wasting money. Listen in to find out what they are. A peek into this episode: Interruption marketing. Do you know what that is? Do you know why it’s probably the WORST way to get attention for your manufacturing business? And do you know if you’re doing it or not? If you didn’t know what it was in the first place, chances are you are still doing it. Listen in to this episode to learn how to modify your marketing tactics so you can be more effective in generating interest in your services and products. Do you use the Yellow Pages to market your business? Jim and Jason beleive the good old YP are a thing of the past as well. The ways people search for information have gone increasingly online and less toward print. The advent of smartphone technology is making that more true every day. The money you spend for those expensive yellow pages ads could be money wasted. Jim and Jason will explain it in the episode. In manufacturing news, there’s a growing need for skilled, quality people in the manufacturing industry. Opportunities are abundant and more are popping up every day. There’s plenty of room for advancement and good salaries. Listen to this episode of Making Chips to find out more details about this great opportunity. All this and more on this episode of Making Chips! . Here’s the outline of the conversation The possibility of sponsorship opportunities for the Making Chips podcast. News items: Quality people needed in the manufacturing industry. No more interruption marketing - do you know what that means? What about the yellow pages and manufacturing directories? Should you really be in there? Are you a spammer? You might be surprised. General radio advertisements. Line cards, facilities lists, and brochures - do you need them? What is permission-based marketing? It’s the new way marketing works today. Do you know what inbound marketing is? You need to. Jim and Jason’s personal top No-No’s of traditional marketing. Links mentioned on this episode www.MakingChips.com/contact Or call us at 312-725-0245

That’s what Patricia Miller’s professional associates told her when she started investigating the possibility of taking over her family business after she’d already pursued and been successful at a career that included marketing, corporate leadership, and politics. Put yourself in her shoes and you’ll probably understand why they said what they did. She’d already experienced many perks that manufacturing leaders seldom do. Travel, posh offices, important connections - yet, she says her heart and her home pulled her back to take over her grandfather’s failing manufacturing business. Welcome to Making Chips - THE podcast for manufacturing leaders and those involved in the manufacturing industry. Jim Carr and Jason Zenger bring you these shows week after week to help you keep on top of what’s happening in the manufacturing industry and to equip you to be the leader of your company as you desire to be. Today the guys are talking with Patricia Miller in what is likely part one of a two part conversation. Patricia’s story is anything but typical. Though she was surrounded by the world of manufacturing as a child, spending time around her grandparent’s very successful machine shop, she never felt a draw to be “in” the family business. Her parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams and she did exactly that. But when her grandfather retired and his health failed, Patricia was at a juncture in her own life where she was choosing her next step. Suddenly, the option of taking over her grandparent’s business was a very real possibility that she’d not considered before. In this episode of Making Chips you’re going to hear Patricia’s story of moving out of the corporate world to take over a manufacturing business that she admits was “stuck in the 70s” and on its last leg. It’s a story that testifies to the value and importance of long-time manufacturing operations and the leadership abilities of one amazing lady. Grab your coffee, turn up the volume, and join Jim, Jason, and their guest Patricia Miller, CEO of Matrix IV as they discuss the process of moving a old-school manufacturing business into the modern era. On this episode of Making Chips. . Here’s the outline of the conversation with Patricia The story of Matrix IV, beginning with Patricia’s grandfather and grandmother Patricia’s experience as a child being around the world of manufacturing Patricia’s education led her into corporate leadership, politics, pharmaceuticals, and everything BUT manufacturing Patricia’s opportunity to take over the leadership of Matrix IV and how she came to that decision The realization that the company was stuck in the 1970s and what Patricia did about it The first steps toward rejuvenating a tired, old business How 400% growth since Patricia’s arrival is spurring the business forward Links mentioned on this episode Patricia’s company - Matrix IV - http://www.matrixiv.com/ An article from “Plastics News” describing what Patricia has done with Matrix IV - http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20141212/NEWS/141219962/new-leader-gives-molder-a-spark www.MakingChips.com - sign up for the Making Chips newsletter & podcast posts automatically (your information is never given to anyone else). You can leave a comment or add to the discussion on this episode by visiting http://www.MakingChips.com/25 Or call us at 312-725-0245 Tweets you can use to tell others about the benefits of vending systems Old-school manufacturing has to move into the modern age. It’s a new day http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=490 My family encouraged me not to come back and take over the family business http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=490 I had done the things I wanted to do and decided to consider taking over the family business http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=490 90% of the business had gone offshore before I took over the leadership http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=490 I decided to take over this family business that was 6 months from having no cash http://www.MakingChips.com/?p=490

It’s a manufacturing renaissance Where do you typically find the best employees for your manufacturing company? How do you go about finding them? As you’ll hear from Jim and Jason’s stories in this podcast episode, everyone gets into the business through a different path. But the guys believe there’s a huge reservoir of future manufacturing leaders in High School students. Why High School students? Because they represent an untapped, teachable, ready-to-train class of workers who are in need of what the manufacturing industry has to offer. The shortage of qualified, motivated manufacturing workers illustrates how shop owners have to look outside the normal places to find workers who can not only get busy making chips, but can also become the manufacturing leaders of tomorrow. High School students might just fit that bill for you. A manufacturing renaissance is happening here and now. It’s once again possible for a person working in the manufacturing industry to earn an income that can comfortably support an entire family and establish that family in society for years to come. It’s not about the dusty, dirty shop floor of your grandfather’s day. It’s a new day, a new, technically challenging opportunity for those who are willing to seize it. Another reason you should look to High Schools for your next manufacturing leader is because of how the manufacturing career path stacks up against college. The average college student will leave school without a specific skill set, will enter their chosen career field at the very bottom rung, and will do so with a load of financial debt that will take years to repay. By contrast, the manufacturing industry has high paying jobs available now that the average High School graduate can take advantage of. They’ll move up faster and avoid accumulating the debt often associated with higher education or specialized training (the training is paid for by their employer in many cases). Rethink your hiring process. Reconsider the places to get your employees and the future leaders in your company. Your business needs quality employees who are motivated to move up the ladder of success and your local High School may be the very best place to find exactly that. The manufacturing renaissance is here. Will you be a part of it? Here’s a teaser: the 6 qualities every future manufacturing leader must have The ability to pass a drug test. Dependability. A basic understanding of High School math. Communication skills - this one is HUGE! Familiarity with manufacturing (Mechanical aptitude). The desire to receive further training and certification. . Here’s the outline of the conversation about Jim and Jason’s personal paths into the manufacturing business and how they became manufacturing leaders. Questions about a new or additional podcast. What do you think? Contact us to let us know. 312-725-0245 Jim and Jason travel to San Diego soon - connect with them to find out how you can connect while you’re there. 312-725-0245 The historical background of American prosperity and domestic stability as it relates to the manufacturing industry. The very real shortage of qualified, motivated manufacturing leaders in the modern day. Why Jim and Jason feel High School students are the ideal pool from which to draw your future manufacturing leaders. Why the manufacturing industry demands a higher quality of worker. 6 qualities every future manufacturing leader should have. How the college path compares with the path into manufacturing. How a High School grad could outpace college students through manufacturing, making better money and starting with little to no debt. Jim’s pros and cons of hiring a High School student or graduate to become a manufacturing role of leadership. Links mentioned on this episode www.MakingChips.com - sign up for the Making Chips newsletter & podcast posts automatically (your information is never given to anyone else). You can leave a comment or add to the discussion on this episode by visiting http://www.MakingChips.com/25 Or call us at 312-725-0245

If you are a manufacturing leader and you are not on LinkedIn, you don’t exist. - Jim Carr That’s how strongly Jim feels about the power of having a presence on LinkedIn. It’s not just for job-seekers, it’s for anyone who wants to engage in dialogue and exchange of information in a business niche. Manufacturing is one of those and you might be surprised at the amount of information flowing back and forth behind the scenes through the LinkedIn network. In this episode, Jim and Jason are going to walk you through 6 reasons you need to be on LinkedIn if you are (or want to be) a leader in the manufacturing industry. Some of these may seem like common sense, but others will surprise you. Don’t neglect the conversations that are already happening on LinkedIn. You never know when you’re going to have the opportunity to get involved in a conversation, provide an answer to a question from your area of expertise, and as a result become known as a leader in your niche of the industry. That puts you on the radar of more people which eventually translates into sales, consulting and speaking opportunities, and who knows what else. To top off the episode the guys are going to fill you in on 7 quick ways you can get started with LinkedIn (or get restarted) that will make it easy and smooth. You owe it to yourself and to your company to create a strong LinkedIn profile and get involved in the conversations going on within the manufacturing industry on LinkedIn. It’s free, it takes only a small amount of time, and can be leveraged to great value in your manufacturing business. Listen in on this episode of MakingChips to find out how you can ramp up your LinkedIn activity and benefit your business. . Here’s the outline of the conversation about Manufacturing news updates Why LinkedIn is a powerful tool for manufacturing leaders Relevancy matters - putting yourself on the radar of others in the industry Connect with business partners Building a digital “rolodex” Create a platform for “thought leadership” in the manufacturing industry Share what you do and create engagement with others in the industry Drive traffic, inquiries, and sales How to get started or restarted on LinkedIn (7 helpful tips) Links mentioned on this episode www.MakingChips.com - sign up for the Making Chips newsletter & podcast posts automatically (your information is never given to anyone else). You can leave a comment or add to the discussion on this episode by visiting http://www.MakingChips.com/23 Or call us at 312- 725-0245

If you don’t know how to calculate SFPM, you’re losing money! Every now and then we like to go to square one to discuss some fundamental issues surrounding the work done in the average machine shop. This episode is one of those episodes. Jim and Jason are talking SFPM - Surface Feet Per Minute in this episode. If you don’t understand what SFPM is, or if you don’t know how to calculate it, you need to listen in to this episode. Properly calculating SFPM is a fundamental machine shop skill that enables you to do a handful of very important things: You’re able to optimize the work-flow of your shop. You do that by maximizing the rate at which you are making chips. This results in more money being made per minute. It also saves tools, materials, and time. Every machinist, from novice to experienced must understand how to calculate Surface Feet Per Minute in order to do the very best job with every piece of material and with every tool. Without this knowledge they will wear out tools, destroy materials, and ultimately cost the company money, simply because of ignorance of this fundamental skill. In this episode of Making Chips Jim and Jason also give some examples of how they go about managing the issue of SFPM in their shops, including the kind of conversations they have with employees about SFPM, how they can tell if SFPM has not been calculated accurately, and how to do the actual math to determine a proper SFPM number for the material and tools being used. Yep, it’s basics. But the basics are important. So get ready to review (or learn for the first time) on this episode of Making Chips. Here’s the outline of the conversation about corporate snapshots Making Chips is going on the road the summer of 2015. Why surface feet per minute is important for every machinist to understand. How to find the SFPM for the materials and tools you are using. The problems that can happen if you don’t understand SFPM. How a misunderstanding of Surface Feet Per Minute can cost your company. Calculating RPM for the material you are using. How do you know if you’ve calculated SFPM accurately? How Jim manages his employees regarding Surface Feet Per Minute. The risks of SFPM mismatches. Using the RPM to to calculate the feed rate based on the tool being used. How IPR (inches per revolution) relates to SFPM. The optimization of your workflow through proper use of SFPM in your shop. Training entry level machinists to properly calculate Surface Feet Per Minute. Links mentioned on this episode www.MakingChips.com - sign up for the Making Chips newsletter & podcast posts automatically (your information is never given to anyone else). You can leave a comment or add to the discussion on this episode by visiting http://www.MakingChips.com/23 Or call us at 312- 725-0245 Tweets you can use to tell others about the benefits of vending systems If you’re not making chips, you’re not making money If your machinists don’t know how to calculate surface feet per minute, you’re losing money Why is surface feet per minute (SFPM) such an important calculation for your job shop? How to find SFPM (surface feet per minute) in your machine shop. How do you know if you’ve calculated SFPM (surface feet per minute) accurately?

A corporate snapshot that has nothing to do with a camera! Shop owners know what they do because they do it every day. But how do you communicate your areas of specialty and expertise in a concise, powerful way so that your prospective clients are able to get it right off? That’s what a corporate snapshot is for. In this episode of Making Chips, Jim and Jason invite 3 guests into the study who specialize in helping businesses create their very own corporate snapshot. Their guests are Jule Poulos (a previous guest from episode 19 of Making Chips), Ray Ziganto (another previous guest - episode 18 of Making Chips), and Jon Baklund (yet another previous guest - Making Chips episode 21). Here’s a brief summary of 4 important questions that a corporate snapshot should answer: What we do as a company Who we are as a company Who we serve as a company Why we do what we do better When you’re able to clearly and accurately define and express those 4 key issues about your company you unlock the power to do a couple of very powerful things… You’re equipping your employees to become “sales people” through a clear vision of what you do as a company. You’re able to more quickly identify your target clients and engage them in relevant conversations about their needs. You’re better able to serve your clients through knowing exactly what your services can do to meet their needs. This episode of Making Chips is full of practical, powerful advice about why you need your own corporate snapshot and how you can develop one. Listen in to the conversation to get started on your own corporate snapshot! Here’s the outline of the conversation about corporate snapshots Introduction of the guests on this episode: Julie, Ray, and Jim. Metalworking tools. The number one tool in your toolbox - a corporate snapshot. The objective of a corporate snapshot. How a corporate snapshot is the “home” for your elevator pitch. 4 crucial components of a corporate snapshot - What we do - Who we are - Who we serve - Why we do it better. Defining each of those 4 points in order to determine your marketing approach and target your message. How a corporate snapshot empowers your employees to serve the customer. Links mentioned on this episode www.MakingChips.com - sign up for the Making Chips newsletter http://www.bi-link.com Tweets you can use to tell others about the benefits of vending systems The number one tool in your toolbox is a corporate snapshot. Find out more on this episode. A corporate snapshot empowers your employees to serve the customer. Do you know the 4 crucial components of a corporate snapshot? What is a corporate snapshot and why do you need one? On this episode of Making Chips Briefly and powerfully tell the who, what, why of your company with a corporate snapshot

Today Jason and Jim are coming to you from Chicago, the “Windy City!” They are there because they’re chatting with Jon Baklund, a veteran tool and die maker who started in the manufacturing industry when he was 19. His father still works in the shop daily, and his wife works in the business as well - so it’s a true “family” business. His business, Baklund R & D is heavily involved in #d printing, which is a very intriguing new aspect of the manufacturing industry. 3D printing is a newer technology that is truly going to be a game-changer in the manufacturing industry. It’s one of those things that old-school folks may feel an urge to resist but our advice is to jump on board the train because it’s going to be moving out! Jon Baklund has one 3D printer in his shop, an environmentally controlled device that allows him to make virtually any shape part with any interior shape imaginable. He says you have to “think from the inside-out” when it comes to 3D printing, and we agree. 3D printing machines on the scale Jon uses are pretty pricey - his machine cost his company right around $160,000.00. But he says it’s well worth it. The specialty niche it has enabled him to carve out for himself has been a huge benefit to the company and when others begin to get on board the “3D printing train” he will be one of the veterans in the space. We wrap up this episode with two “off topic” pieces that should give you some great value. Jon’s approach to the internet and social media activity from a business perspective (he’s great at it, so take some notes) How Jon and his wife are able to work together day in and day out without problems. Listen in… you’ll enjoy this episode of Making Chips! Here’s the outline of the episode Introduction of Jon Baklund. Manufacturing news - The U.S.A. is the “hotspot” for Aerospace manufacturing. A 3D printing overview - from the perspective of an end-user (Jon) How Jon is adding additional services to his company’s 3D printing The cost of materials used in a 3D printing machine - it’s comparatively inexpensive! Typical tolerance levels in 3D printing and how Jon is getting better tolerances through some custom modifications. Thinking from the inside-out in 3D printing. How Jon determines billing for 3D printing jobs. What kind of oversight does a 3D printer require? The importance of an environmentally controlled 3D printer. What is the cost of a good 3D printing machine? Jon’s approach to the internet and social media for business. How Jon and his wife are able to work together day after day in the business. Jim’s summary of his take-aways from this episode. Links mentioned on this episode www.MakingChips.com - sign up for the Making Chips newsletter Jon’s website - www.jonbaklund.com The work-holding device Jon has developed - www.jonbaklund.com/baklund-workholding-llc/ Tweets you can use to tell others about the benefits of vending systems The U.S.A. is the “hotspot” for Aerospace manufacturing. Find out more in today’s news segment You have to “think from the inside-out” when it comes to 3D printing Did you know you can add additional services to 3D printing to maximize profit? How 3D printing is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry: this episode of Making Chips 3D printing is the train of the future for manufacturing. Will you get on board? SOCIAL MEDIA BLURBS 3D printing machines on the scale Jon uses are pretty pricey - his machine cost his company right around $160,000.00. But he says it’s well worth it. The specialty niche it has enabled him to carve out for himself has been a huge benefit to the company and when others begin to get on board the “3D printing train” he will be one of the veterans in the space. Listen to this episode of Making Chips to hear Jon’s story. 3D printing is a newer technology that is truly going to be a game-changer in the manufacturing industry. It’s one of those things that old-school folks may feel an urge to resist but our advice is to jump on board the train because it’s going to be moving out! Jon Baklund has one 3D printer in his shop, an environmentally controlled device that allows him to make virtually any shape part with any interior shape imaginable. He says you have to “think from the inside-out” when it comes to 3D printing, and we agree. Hear Jon’s story on this episode of Making Chips.

This is a hot topic edition where Jim is asking Jason about vending systems for the machine shop. You may have the impression that vending machines are just for the huge companies that crank out bazillions of widgets every day. But is that true? You’re going to find out that and a ton more about machine shop vending systems in this episode of Making Chips. There are many misconceptions about vending systems and much resistance to the idea that a small shop could actually benefit from using them, but Jason Zenger knows better. He’s been able to place systems in a variety of settings, from small to large shops and has seen the benefit in even the smallest settings. The reason for that is simple: The cost for vending systems has dropped as the technology has increased, making the power of vending systems more affordable for the little guy. Vending systems also enable you to keep track of tool and supply usage, which in turn tells you which employees are using what items so that you can make more informed adjustments to your systems or procedures as needed. Just imagine the savings of ensuring that every part is being used to its fullest capacity! The major objectives of implementing a vending system in your shop: Reduction in Spending Increased Productivity Increased Profitability If it doesn’t make sense to you how those benefits come from installing and using a vending system in your shop, you need to listen in as Jason shares his experience as a representative for some vending system companies. What the guys have to say about vending systems in this episode... Major objectives of having a vending system in your shop - 3 powerful reasons. The history of modern vending systems for the machine shop. Aren’t vending systems geared more for huge manufacturers? How to use vending systems in a small machine shop. The sizes of vending machines and how to fit them into your shop. Partnering with someone to help you manage the vending system so it doesn’t take over your schedule. What types of supplies and tools can work with a vending system? The process of bringing on a vending system and the importance of your vending partner. Best practice software issues relating to your machine shop vending system. The increasing popularity of vending systems. 3 ways small companies can benefit from vending systems. Listener questions Jim and Jason are also happy to highlight questions from listeners on this episode. You can ask your question for this section of the podcast by call 1-312-725-0245 and leave your message on the recording. Here’s today’s questions: How important is it for a manufacturing company to have a clean, updated, and functional website? What are buyers looking for when searching for a new supplier? Links mentioned on this episode www.MakingChips.com - sign up for the Making Chips newsletter Something to look forward to… Making Chips is going on the road! Stay tuned for more details. Tweets you can use to tell others about the benefits of vending systems Machine shop vending systems for the little guys… it’s not only possible, it’s a reality. You don’t have to be a huge shop to afford and benefit from vending systems. Find out more in this episode. Track your supplies and tools more effectively, and keep more profit on the bottom line. Vending systems can reduce spending, increase productivity, and increase profit, even in small machine shops. Your machine shop can function more smoothly and profitably by using a vending system. Find out how in this episode.