TALKING SHOP REVIEW

TALKINGSHOP

iMD TALKiNG SHOP yEAR iN REViEw

Cracking the Code: Connecting IMD Readers with More Information

This year, Industrial Machinery Digest, “talked shop” with ten leaders in the manufacturing industry. To read the full interview, scan the included Quick Response (QR) code with your mobile device. These special barcodes have been designed to allow our readers to quickly and easily discover more information available on IndustrialMachineryDigest.com

Chris Pollack – Manager Virtual Technical Application Center, Siemens

What kind of support do you provide end-users moving forward as they encounter challenges and as your technologies evolve?

In terms of staying in touch with our customers, we are constantly sending them information about available upgrades, upcoming seminars, and any Siemens event from which they might benefit. We have an incredible wealth of resources to offer…

Douglas K. Woods – President The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT)

Once we recover from the twin fists of a pandemic and an economic recession, do you believe we will have learned any valuable lessons?

I think it’s clear that we’ve learned a lot in terms of streamlining and rethinking how we go about doing business. For instance, augmented reality is now a mainstay in how we talk about machine tools and peripheral devices, while at the same… Cate K. Smith, J.D., M.P.A. – Executive Director Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA)

How has the PMPA helped its members weather the recession and pandemic, and how will you continue doing so once recovery begins?

As a case in point, we knew our members were essential industries even before the government did, because we started receiving RGQs for large numbers of ventilator parts requiring fast-track delivery times. We knew that our members…

Mike Gamache – Business Development Manager Gamache Systems, a Division of Metalcraft of Mayville

Apart from design, what other benefits does a systems integrator provide?

One of the biggest challenges manufacturers are facing right now is how hard it is to find machine operators and skilled labor. And when you can, you don’t want to waste their time on dull, monotonous tasks. That’s when a robot is particularly effective at addressing unattended machine time…

American Gear Manufacturers Association

Matthew E. Croson – President American Gear Manufacturers Association

Despite all the hardship, what are your thoughts on how we’ve weathered this storm as a country and an industry? Have we learned any important lessons?

I am so proud of how we’ve come together as a country, just our ability to pivot from normalcy to radical change. It’s been truly inspirational, and I commend all these leaders – especially in the manufacturing industry – on their optimism…

Paul Aiello – Director of Education FANUC America

Has the COVID pandemic altered your approach to thinking about workforce issues, or reaching out to students and educational systems in any way?

It definitely has. For instance, within industry, you can see three sectors in particular – food production, supply chain, and medical equipment – that had become vulnerable because they were located so far outside the United States…

Matt Sand – President 3DEO

Do you find that first-time customers return with fresh ideas about how they can further utilize 3D Printing?

That happens frequently. Once a customer has seen the quality of the parts, the ease of making design improvements, lower costs and shorter lead times, they start looking around at other ways they can harness additive manufacturing to their benefit. It’s not uncommon to see increases of as much as 10 times; from… Ryan Hiss – Vice President of Sales Better Engineering

I know that you specialize in aqueous processes that use eco-friendly detergents. Could you expand on these technologies and their applications?

The first method is spray washing, which is just like being in a shower. This is useful for flat surfaces like sheet metal and parts with fairly simple geometries. Then you have immersion washing, which is a bath. This is better for more complex parts that have…

Robert W. Roth – President American Welding Society

What would you say to someone considering pursuing a career in welding?

I would encourage that person to be aware of the many different positions required to fill out the infrastructure of this industry. You don’t necessarily have to be a welder to participate in that. There are roles to be played in engineering, web development, print publishing, and hundreds of other supporting fields. And no matter…

Eric Goodwin – President Goodwin Recruiting

What is the most basic advice you give your own clients?

We want our clients to truly understand that everything has changed post-pandemic. People are weighing issues like quality of life rather than income alone. You’ve probably read about folks who took the time in quarantine to evaluate their lives and maybe choose a different direction. It’s not just a matter…