Shows
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChipsLights Out Lenses: Engineering, Quality & the Leadership Behind Automation (Part 2), Ep #41Part 2 of Lights Out Lenses moves deeper into the automation journey at Advanced Machine & Fabricating—this time through the eyes of engineering, programming, quality, and ownership. If Part 1 was about feeding the beast, Part 2 is about building the systems, standards, and culture that keep it alive. Director of Engineering & Programming Forrest Vaught shares how automation forced his team to rethink everything from tooling strategies to fixture design and program standardization. In a high-mix, low-volume environment, success doesn't come from simply buying automation. It comes from building repeatable systems that can survive unattended machining, changing priorities, and constant pr...
2026-05-2252 min
Buy the NumbersBreaking the Ceiling: Systems, Data, and the Truth About Scaling a Machine ShopBreaking the Ceiling: Systems, Data, and the Truth About Scaling a Machine Shop, Ep #44 Manufacturing will humble you—no matter how good you get. I was talking with someone recently about how this might be the only industry where you can perform at a world-class level and still lose money on scrap. That's just the reality we operate in. So the question becomes: how do you build a business that can actually handle that kind of pressure? In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I sit down with Scott Shortess—someone I've known and trusted for...
2026-04-161h 03
Machine Shop MasteryCollective Wisdom: Best Ideas from the First 99 Episodes of Machine Shop MasteryReaching 100 episodes is more than a milestone. It's a moment to step back and recognize what's been built together. In this special compilation episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I reflect on the most powerful ideas, lessons, and human stories that emerged from the first 99 conversations with shop owners and manufacturing leaders across the industry. When this podcast started, I thought we were chasing a simple question: what makes great shops great? What became clear over time is that we weren't really talking about machines or parts at all. We were talking about responsibility, sacrifice, leadership, and the...
2026-01-2152 min
Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real StoriesMaking Your Systems Work For You with Scott Shortess from AdvancedScott Shortess, the President of Advanced, is a very thoughtful shop owner and thinks about the success of a precision machining company through the lens of a continuous improvement mindset, waste reduction and building really robust systems for the team to use effectively to delight customers. In this insightful interview, Scott shares how their company has been transformed by having a system that truly works for them, instead of them working for the system, and allowing that freedom to enable them to focus on the meaningful work of eliminating waste and focusing on the customer. Enjoy the conversation.
2024-06-121h 13Machine Shop MasteryProcess is King! Serving Clients Through Process Improvements with Scott Shortess from Advanced Plastics & Machining01. Process is King! Serving Clients Through Process Improvements with Scott Shortess from Advanced Plastics & Machining ADVANCED has been in business since 1979 by Steve Shortess and has been run for the past many years by his son Scott Shortess who is the guest on this episode. They specialize in machining complex parts for the aerospace, defense, oil & gas and other industries. They are a technology driven company based on strong ethics and values of customer service and excellence. In this episode Scott discusses their history and what principles and decisions they've made over the years that have led...
2022-05-1640 min