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How can work process automation help your manufacturing team? That's exactly what Filip Aronshtein joined us to talk about. He's co-founder and CEO of Dirac, a company that automates digital work instructions for manufacturers. Dirac's platform generates 3D animated assembly instructions from CAD files, improving efficiency and reducing errors. The company recently raised a seed round led by Founders Fund and Coatue, and partnered with Siemens to integrate with their Teamcenter PLM software. Dirac's software has been adopted by various industries, including aerospace, defense, and agriculture, and has shown significant reductions in build times and error rates. And hey - if you're a techie, give them a shout - they're aggressively hiring engineers with hardware backgrounds!

Here are some of the highlights:
- Details of Dirac's Assembly Instruction Process
- Model-Based Work Instructions and Their Benefits
- Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Manufacturing
- Applications and Success Stories

It was a great discussion of how modern tech can streamline your operation.

Check out the whole thing, and be sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe!

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With factory tech being all the rage in manufacturing these days, it was a treat to get some insights from a global expert.

Andre Moreno, Senior Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, joined us to discuss his company's extensive experience and offerings in industrial automation and its focus on power generation, sustainability, and reindustrialization in the U.S.

And Andre should know, because Schneider Electric operates over 200 factories globally, including 40 in the U.S., and emphasizes open automation, software-centric solutions, and AI integration. The company also addresses workforce challenges through digital transformation consulting and training. In our discussion, Andre highlighted the importance of energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and sustainability, noting that 70% of companies struggle with scaling digital transformation. Schneider Electric's approach includes a comprehensive strategy for energy management, from demand reduction to smart grid solutions and diverse power generation sources.

Here are some highlights:
- Schneider Electric's lighthouse plant and open automation
- Digital transformation and consulting services
- Addressing the workforce skills gap
- Power generation and energy efficiency
- Schneider Electric's approach to cybersecurity and sustainability

This one is chock-full of wisdom you need if you're in manufacturing and searching for ways to future-proof your business.

Check out the whole thing!

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Shep Hickey founded Bryzos, a metals trading platform, and he hosts the podcast "Irregardless." Shep shares his journey from steel distribution to digital trade, emphasizing the need for efficient systems and technology. He discusses the importance of team building, focusing on aptitude and adaptability. He highlights the significance of multimedia for business transparency and community engagement. Shep also delves into the challenges of reshoring, the skills gap, and the impact of technology on youth, advocating for more outdoor activities and self-initiative.

Here are some highlights:
- Shep's transition from the hidebound world of legacy steel distribution to founding his digital trading platform
- How Shep built his team and his multimedia recording setup
- The rationale behind launching "Irregardless"
- The challenges and opportunities in American manufacturing today
- The effects of screens and tech on our youth, and what we should be doing about it

And much, much more. This is one where you really need to tune in for the whole thing.

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Paul Tice, author of *The Race to Zero: How ESG Investing Will Crater the Global Financial System,* recently wrote an article about the Trump administration's plan to do away with the EPA's Obama-era Endangerment Finding that classed CO2 as a pollutant. He joined us to dive into that excellent news as well as other heartening developments regarding regulations in general.

Paul, a senior fellow at the National Center for Energy Analytics, discussed the recent developments in energy policy and regulations. In addition to highlighting the EPA's proposal to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, he emphasized the need for a unified national energy policy and criticized state-level regulations. He also discussed the potential for a nuclear renaissance, advocating for large reactors and private equity involvement. Paul also expressed optimism about the current administration's direction but warned that significant efforts are needed to address remaining regulations and legal challenges.

Here are some vital links:

The article we mentioned up above about the Endangerment Finding proposal: https://tinyurl.com/mudh64e9

Paul's book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-race-to-zero-paul-h-tice/1143943099

Paul's latest National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA) report, “A Strategy for Financing the Nuclear Future,” which lays out their recommendations for breaking the current logjam around restarting nuclear construction in the U.S.: https://energyanalytics.org/financing-the-nuclear-future/

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One of the most amazing categories of story out there is where huge tech leaps in manufacturing completely reshape how we make things. That's why this chat with Jim Belosic, founder of SendCutSend, is so riveting.

Jim Belosic discussed his journey from graphic design to manufacturing. He highlighted the company's innovative approach, which leverages software to streamline manufacturing processes, eliminating the need for physical prints and reducing minimum order quantities. SendCutSend has manufactured over 50 million parts without using prints. Belosic emphasized the importance of software in modern manufacturing, the challenges of scaling, and the need for reskilling workers. He also advocated for government support for equipment manufacturers and encouraged entrepreneurs to start manufacturing by solving specific pain points.

Here are some of the highlights:
- Challenges and opportunities in manufacturing
- SendCutSend's unique approach
- The future of manufacturing and reshoring
- Jim's advice for the future for manufacturers

Jim's done some revolutionary stuff - tune in for the whole show and learn all about it!

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Lawrence Reed, President Emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education, about his journey and insights on free markets and business policies. Larry credits his father's common sense and anti-communist sentiments for his advocacy of liberty. He discusses his roles at the Mackinac Center and FEE, emphasizing the importance of free market principles and deregulation. Larry highlights Argentina's economic turnaround under Javier Milei, contrasting it with the failures of socialism. He also addresses the challenges of protectionism and the need for character development in maintaining freedom and free markets.

Here are some of the highlights:

- The impact of independent think tanks
- Argentina's economic miracle
- Challenges and opportunities in American manufacturing
- The role character plays in maintaining liberty and free markets

And oh so much more. Definitely tune in for the whole show!

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy: https://www.mackinac.org/

The Foundation for Economic Education: https://fee.org/

The essay "I, Pencil," by Leonard Read: https://fee.org/ebooks/i-pencil/

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It's always a good show when we talk about metal. So it was pure awesome having Merrin Muxlow, who leads partnerships for the Investment Casting Institute, join us to tell us about the world of metal casting.

Merrin discusses the importance of investment casting in various industries, including aerospace and heavy machinery, and highlights the need for localized production due to supply chain disruptions. She emphasizes the role of education and collaboration in addressing the manufacturing skills gap. Merrin also touches on the integration of 3D printing and automation in casting processes, aiming to make production faster and more efficient. The conversation concludes with a call for sustained efforts to revitalize manufacturing and promote hands-on learning.

Highlights:
- The Importance of Investment Casting
- Educational Programs and Public Perception
- Challenges and Opportunities in Manufacturing
- The Role of Academia and Personal Experiences
- Advancements in Manufacturing Technology
- Regulations and Public Policy

It's a brilliant discussion thanks to Merrin's expertise - tune in for the whole thing!

The Chris Power article: https://www.thefp.com/p/america-wont-exist-if-we-cant-build-things-china-industrial-power

Our host's Forbes article about the METAL program: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2025/06/30/new-mtu-iacmi-partnership-expands-metallurgy-education-and-outreach/

The Investment Casting Institute: https://www.investmentcasting.org/

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So, this dude sends me a copy of his book... then pesters me relentlessly to read it.

And I'm really glad he did.

Jeff Leimbach's *Broken Supply Chains: How Financial Engineering Hollowed American Manufacturing and the Complex Journey to Resilience* absolutely nails the main factors that drove so much of American industry overseas. So it was a treat to have him on the show to talk about how we got here and how we fix things.

Jeff's ideas come from his decades of experience in manufacturing. He discusses the negative impact of short-term financial strategies, such as private equity's focus on quick returns, which often leads to the extraction of value from companies. He emphasizes the need for innovation, continuous education, and collaboration among government, educators, and businesses to revitalize manufacturing. He calls for manufacturers to advocate for themselves and the industry, and for increased awareness of available resources and support.

Highlights:
- Discussion on Financial Engineering and Extraction
- Impact of Private Equity on Manufacturing
- Challenges and Solutions for Manufacturing
- The Role of National and Local Organizations
- Call to Action for Manufacturers

There's so much more, you absolutely owe it to yourself to check out this whole episode, and go get your own copy of Jeff's book and read the whole thing. Then join us in helping right our American industrial ship.

Jeff's book: https://tinyurl.com/2hte5p5p