Data Driven Manufacturing

#8 Rupert Blackstone

In this episode of Data Driven Manufacturing, I sat down with Rupert Blackstone, Managing Director of Wattcraft, to unpack something a bit different—but just as crucial to the world of manufacturing: carbon impact. We kicked things off with a quiz that really made me stop and think—what actually has a bigger carbon footprint, cycling to work or driving? Rupert challenged some of my assumptions right out of the gate. From there, we dug into the surprising carbon costs of everyday habits—leaving lights on, sending emails, and even what we eat. One standout moment was a discussion about bananas (yes, bananas). You’d think importing them from across the world would be terrible for the environment—but it turns out the full story is more complex, especially when you compare it to the impact of more intensive, local farming. That led us into life cycle analysis—the proper, whole-system way to understand the environmental impact of products and processes. Rupert helped break down how this applies not just to consumer choices, but also to sustainable manufacturing. It’s an eye-opening conversation about context, trade-offs, and why the right data matters if we’re serious about sustainability. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#7 - Tom Smith

In this episode of Data Driven Manufacturing, host Rowan Easter-Robinson from TrackMyMachines welcomes Tom Smith, an experienced engineer with a background spanning CloudNC, Arrival, Fictive, and now Saeki. Recorded on-site at XY Engineering, the conversation dives into Tom’s third-generation roots in engineering and his mission to digitize tribal shopfloor knowledge to create scalable, repeatable manufacturing systems. Tom discusses the transformative power of software in manufacturing—highlighting how AI, machine learning, and ERP systems can reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enable rapid replication across sites. They explore how platforms like CloudNC and Fictive are democratizing access to advanced manufacturing tools, particularly for SMEs, while balancing automation with the irreplaceable value of human expertise. The episode touches on the importance of customization, real-time data analytics, and computational engineering in shaping the future of manufacturing. Tom shares hard-won lessons from VC-backed environments and emphasizes the need for adaptable, user-friendly systems that empower engineers to innovate. Whether you're a shopfloor operator or a CTO, this episode offers rich insights into how software and data can drive smarter, leaner, and more competitive manufacturing operations. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#6 - Steve Thompson

In this episode of Data Driven Manufacturing Steve Thompson, Engineering lead for HEXMON low cost industrial factory air quality measurement sensors talks about the importance of CNC coolant management and the impact on air quality in machine shops. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#5 Carl Parry

In this episode of Data Driven Manufacturing, we talk to well-known and excellent Manufacturing Engineer, Carl Parry. He's been working on production optimisation and new projects at Gardner Denver in Bradford for over 11 years. Having successfully lead a huge number of optimisation projects and with an exciting new capital investment for the site on the way, we're really happy to be talking to Carl. He was also one of the first TrackMyMachines customers, having started using it to measure the site's productivity over 3 years ago. Today's discussion is around what a Manufacturing Engineer's job really is, how to be a successful one, and how data plays a massive role in bringing plants up to their maximum productivity potential. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#4 Erdem Ozturk

In this episode of Data Driven Manufacturing, Rowan Robinson speaks with Erdem Öztürk, founder and CEO of Productive Machines. Öztürk shares his journey from building a CNC drilling machine as a student to pioneering advancements in machining dynamics. He discusses the challenges of bridging the gap between academic research and industry applications, his work at the AMRC, and how these experiences led to the creation of his startup Productive Machines. We explore innovative solutions for optimizing machining processes, minimizing inefficiencies, and leveraging advanced modeling techniques to transform manufacturing. You can check out the machining optimisation technology from Productive Machines at their website here: https://productivemachines.co.uk/ To find out more about Rowan's company that can help you monitor your CNC machinery cost-effectively check out TrackMyMachines at https://trackmymachines.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.