Manufacturing Matters

Hosted by Tech B2B

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Episodes

144

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Manufacturing Matters podcast aims to get to the heart of automation technology and how it plays into the growing manufacturing industry. Join us for insights and interviews discussing trends, innovations, and advanced automation technologies, such as robotics, machine vision, AI, and much more. Follow our social channels here: http://linktr.ee/m_mp

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60 recent

June 12, 2026Episode 14332 min

Episode 143 - Eric Utley, Applications Engineering Manager at Protolabs

"Computational design and 3D printing go together like peanut butter and chocolate." For most of its history, 3D printing was considered speculative, risky, even fringe. Today, says Eric Utley, 3D printing applications engineering manager at Protolabs, it's boring, and that's exactly the point. In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, TECH B2B Marketing's Jimmy Carroll sits down with Utley, a 16-year veteran of the additive manufacturing industry, to explore how 3D printing has quietly evolved from a rapid prototyping curiosity into mainstream production technology, and where it's headed next. The conversation covers how Fortune 500 companies like GE and HP helped shift additive manufacturing toward end-use production, why the explosion of application-specific materials is one of the clearest signs of the industry's maturation, and how customers are increasingly designing parts specifically for 3D printing rather than as a stepping stone to other processes. Additional topics include the growing role of AI and computational design, how hobbyists are quietly driving innovation, and why algorithmic-based design processes paired with digital manufacturing are creating new opportunities.https://www.manufacturing-matters.comhttps://www.techb2b.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/manufacturing-matters/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manufacturing_matterspodcast/#manufacturing #automation #additivemanufacturing #3dprinting #manufacturingmatters #techb2bSupport the show

May 29, 2026Episode 14244 min

Episode 142 - Alex Sandoval, founder and CEO of Allie

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in manufacturing right now. But for many plant teams, it still feels more like a concept than a practical tool. In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Aaron Hand sits down with Alex Sandoval, founder and CEO of Allie, to break down what AI actually looks like on the factory floor. Sandoval explains how AI co-pilots can connect to PLCs, quality systems, and maintenance data to act like a 24/7 expert supervisor — surfacing problems before they cause downtime and guiding operators toward faster, better decisions. But the technology itself isn’t the biggest hurdle. From disconnected machines and unclear data ownership to the cultural challenges of trust and fear, most manufacturers aren’t failing because of AI. They’re getting stuck before it can deliver value. Support the show

May 22, 2026Episode 14132 min

Episode 141 - Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan

“One of my biggest complaints with public policy is we're too reactive. And because technology now changes so rapidly, if you're reactive, by the time you have a policy in place, it's outdated.” -Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan The United States accounts for just 9% of global robotics installations while China accounts for 54% — a gap that Congresswoman McClellan believes demands a proactive response from Washington. That's the driving force behind the National Commission on Robotics Act (HR 7334), a bipartisan bill that would establish an 18-member Commission on American Leadership in Robotics to assess U.S. competitiveness, workforce needs, and supply chain security in robotics and AI. In this episode of the Manufacturing Matters podcast, TECH B2B Marketing's Winn Hardin and Jimmy Carroll are joined by Congresswoman McClellan, U.S. Representative for Virginia's 4th Congressional District, to discuss why now is the time for government to get ahead of the curve on robotics and AI policy — rather than react to it after the fact. The conversation highlights the key pillars any national robotics policy must address, from workforce development and reskilling to supply chain resilience and the ethical guardrails needed as AI and robotics increasingly converge. Congresswoman McClellan also discusses the makeup of the proposed commission, why its recommendations will need to be revisited far more frequently than traditional legislation allows, and why winning the AI race at the expense of communities, energy, and resources would be a Pyrrhic victory. Additional topics include real-world examples of robotics driving safety and efficiency — from bottling facilities to Amazon distribution centers — and how Congress can play a meaningful role in shaping the future of automation without stifling innovation. Support the show

May 15, 2026Episode 14032 min

Episode 140 - Mark Gagas, COO Sensory Robotics

"Engineers can now start thinking about cell design not from the cages, but from the actual work." A significant if not obvious factor that all companies implementing robotic systems must consider is safety. While robotic guarding has been the industry standard for years, Sensory Robotics COO Mark Gagas believes another way offers more flexibility and space for manufacturers. After 19 months of rigorous testing, his company now has UL certification to prove it. In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, TECH B2B Marketing's Jimmy Carroll sits down with Gagas to discuss how Sensory Robotics' SR-1 system uses 3D vision to provide 100% human detection coverage, replace hard guarding with an intelligent, monitored space around the robot — allowing workers and machines to operate together naturally, at full speed and full payload. The conversation covers what the newly achieved certification means for customers and the broader market, how advances in 3D time-of-flight sensing and edge computing made a system like SR-1 possible, and why fenceless factory design could unlock significant gains in floor space and productivity. Gagas also walks through the company’s expanding product line, including a DoD-funded mobile platform, SR-2— which embeds safety directly into the arm — and SR Insight, a data layer that adds productivity dashboards, human ergonomics analysis, and live risk assessment monitoring on top of the core safety infrastructure. Support the show

May 7, 2026Episode 13954 min

Episode 139 - Erik Reynolds, Founder of Reynolds and Moore

Artificial intelligence is quickly making its way onto the manufacturing floor. But when it comes to safety, the stakes are different. In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Winn Hardin and Aaron Hand talk with Erik Reynolds, founder of Reynolds & Moore, about what it really takes to bring AI into safety-critical systems. For decades, safety engineering has relied on deterministic, fully explainable systems. AI challenges that foundation, introducing models that learn, adapt, and sometimes behave in ways we don’t fully understand. So why use AI at all? Reynolds explains where it actually adds value — from enabling smarter human-robot collaboration to the possibility of systems that improve safety over time, not degrade. But with that potential comes a new challenge: proving that these systems can be trusted. https://www.manufacturing-matters.comhttps://www.techb2b.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/manufacturing-matters/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manufacturing_matterspodcast/#manufacturing #automation #manufacturingmatters #techb2bSupport the show

May 1, 2026Episode 13833 min

Episode 138 - Aaron Royster, Group Manager – Automation, Schunk

Robots may get most of the attention, but what happens at the end of the arm often determines whether an automation project succeeds or fails. As manufacturers push for greater flexibility, faster changeovers, and more complex handling, the demands on grippers and end-of-arm tooling are evolving at least as quickly as the robots themselves.In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Aaron Hand talks with Aaron Royster, group manager of automation at Schunk, about how end-of-arm tooling is shaping system design, enabling more adaptable automation, and unlocking new applications. They also explore the growing role of artificial intelligence, the balance between hardware and software innovation, and why some manufacturers are rethinking how they approach automation — from the gripper back. Support the show

April 22, 2026Episode 13723 min

Episode 137 - Robert Franz, CEO of Allied Vision Technology GmbH

Computer imaging (aka Machine Vision) is having a moment, and Allied Vision CEO Robert Franz explains why. In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, he joins Winn Hardin to talk about Allied Vision’s brand unification, the shift from components to customer-first solutions, and why AI, edge intelligence, SWIR imaging, and open smart cameras are opening up huge new opportunities across automation, agriculture, healthcare, robotics, and beyond. It’s a fast-moving conversation about where vision technology is headed next and why the future looks bright. https://www.manufacturing-matters.comhttps://www.techb2b.comLinkedIn: / manufacturing-matters Instagram: / manufacturing_matterspodcast #AI #ComputerImaging #MachineVision #manufacturing #automation #manufacturingmatters #techb2bSupport the show

April 10, 2026Episode 13636 min

Episode 136 - Arne Leinse, CEO of LioniX International

In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, host Dan McCarthy of TECH B2B Marketing sits down with Arne Leinse, CEO of LioniX International, to explore the manufacturing realities behind photonic integrated circuits (PICs) — one of the most technically demanding frontiers in semiconductor manufacturing. As CEO of a module supplier built around silicon nitride waveguide technology, Leinse highlights the challenges that make PICs so difficult to produce at scale, from the need for sub-nanometer alignment tolerances to the “chicken and egg” challenge of building fabrication capacity ahead of market demand. The conversation also explores how LioniX’s vertically integrated business model has helped it navigate this emerging manufacturing sector by unlocking flexibility across markets spanning quantum sensing to AR/VR. The episode also touches on industry standardization, in-process quality control, supply chain complexity, and the global talent strategies required to staff an emerging deep-tech sector. Support the show

April 3, 2026Episode 13529 min

Episode 135 - Clint Bundy, Managing Director at The Bundy Group

In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, host Winn Hardin sits down with Clint Bundy, managing director of the Bundy Group, to pull back the curtain on the world of mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising within the industrial automation sector. As the manufacturing industry faces a "graying" C-suite and shifting economic forecasts, Bundy provides a masterclass on how business owners can navigate these high-stakes transitions.Support the show

March 26, 2026Episode 13436 min

Episode 134 - Paul Osterhaus, Managing Partner at QOC Innovations

Manufacturers are generating more data than ever — from machines on the production floor to purchasing, inventory, and finance. Yet many companies still struggle to turn that data into clear answers to the questions that matter most: Are we profitable on a given job? Do we have the capacity to take on more work? Where are bottlenecks slowing us down? In this episode of Manufacturing Matters, Winn Hardin and Aaron Hand talk with Paul Osterhaus, managing partner at QOC Innovations, about why so many manufacturers remain data rich but insight poor and how modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategies can help bridge that gap. One key piece of advice: Don’t try to boil the ocean with massive, disruptive implementations. Find the one or two problems holding you back and solve those first. Read the transcript: https://hubs.ly/Q048sS5r0 Learn more about QOC Innovations: https://www.qocinnovations.com/ Learn more about TECH B2B Marketing: https://www.techb2b.com Follow QOC Innovations on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qocinnovations/ Follow TECH B2B Marketing on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-b2b-marketing/ Follow Manufacturing Matters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/manufacturing-matters/ Follow Manufacturing Matters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manufacturing_matterspodcast/ #manufacturing #automation #manufacturingmatters #techb2b #erp #profitability #data #datainsights. Support the show