Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast

Delve into the evolving role of EHS professionals in manufacturing as they navigate intense compliance demands and automation challenges. Discover how centralized data can enhance safety while uncovering automation opportunities. Hear from an expert about the importance of workforce engagement in fostering a strong safety culture. Learn how real-time data tracking transforms EHS management and encourages teamwork. This insightful discussion emphasizes proactive strategies to ensure safety and compliance in dynamic environments.

Dave Aebischer is a senior data analyst for Cintel. Throughout his career, Dave has focused on improving Army weapon system sustainment outcomes and developing new diagnostic technologies for combat equipment applications. He has introduced innovative technologies and techniques for meeting the challenges of sustaining complex weapon systems in combat environments. Dave recently spoke with Thomas Wilk, editor in chief of Plant Services, about a project he and his team worked on to support the PATRIOT missile defense system program. In part 1 of their conversation, Dave details how he combined vibration analysis and 25 years of experience on power generators to successfully identify and correct an issue with new generator assets.

The rising volume of aluminum in automotive production is changing the requirements for - and the means by which - those raw materials are sourced, and along with regulatory changes it is reshaping the scrap sorting and processing industry. This installment of the podcast samples a new article highlighting the benefits, limitations, and challenges of recycling aluminum from used cars, underscoring the importance of nonferrous metal recycling in a sustainability-driven world. About the Article Advances in Aluminum Recycling for Metalcasting The shift from abundant, cheap energy sources with minimal waste reduction to stringent global regulations focused on minimizing pollution and resource consumption presents challenges and opportunities for the foundry industry. Written by Engin Kılınç Read by Robert Brooks Read the article

Manufacturers have known for more than 20 years that they needed more engineers and science/engineering/math-oriented students to work in their shops. So, many are now starting younger, as early as middle school to expose young people to future manufacturing careers. Hear from: Megan Barrett, Director of Operations at Engineering Tomorrow Michael Gretczko, Deloitte’s Chief Business Architect David Hook, R&D Engineer at CoorsTek Inc. and IndustryWeek's Anna Smith

No one will ever accuse Dave Rizzardo, associate director of the Maryland World Class Consortia of being shy or dispassionate about lean manufacturing and operational excellence. But, on a panel discussion at IndustryWeek's recent Operations Leadership Summit, the audience got an earful from the operations expert on treating people right, listening to your employees and how it's the leader's job to make sure everyone else can do their work.  Joining Dave for this particularly lively panel discussion was his friend (well, they were friends at the start of the conversation) Carl Livesay, general manager of Maryland-based Mercury Plastics. Also speaking was Sarah Tilkens, CEO of the KPI Lab and senior manager for operational excellence at GE Healthcare. The moderator is Robert Schoenberger, editor-in-chief at IndustryWeek. 

Bust your misconceptions of fiber optic cables by learning about their construction, types, terminations, costs, and advantages when used for the industrial IoT. About the Article A Guide to Fiber Cable Types and Cost for the Industrial IoT Bust your misconceptions of fiber optic cables by learning about their construction, types, terminations, costs, and advantages when used for the industrial IoT. Written by Henry Martel Read by Laura Davis Read the article

It’s a story so familiar that it is also a children’s proverb: “for want of a nail, the kingdom was lost.” In this new podcast episode we cover how to identify and eliminate pinch points on the manufacturing floor. Our guests this week, Jerry Nation and Hunter Price of Ingenics Corporation, talk about their experience helping plants in the automotive sector get past production bottlenecks that were dramatically slowing down production, and stressing out downstream operations teams. 

Guests Sean O’Meara and Jason Ryska discuss AI applications in manufacturing, from IT support to leveraging AI for business processes. Topics include AI on the factory floor, technology initiatives at Ford Motor Company, and the evolution of team structures in AI development for manufacturing.

The podcast explores the trend of companies reshoring manufacturing from Asia to the United States in industries like pharmaceuticals, trucking, and plastics. Topics include job flows, new facilities in the US, challenges in Mexico for the plastics industry, and the impact of anti-China sentiment on reshoring decisions.

In this “Talking EHS” podcast episode, you’ll learn about the new tools and strategies companies are using to foster psychologically safer workplaces. About the Article The Psychology of Safety New tools and strategies emerge to foster psychologically safer workplaces. Written and read by Adrienne Selko Read the article