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Automating the Small Shop

Thursday, July 21 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Session Code: TH52

Track: Small Shops Ten & Under

Speaker: Don Bigelow, Planit

Craig Sexton, SNX Technologies, Inc.

Leland Thomasett, Taghkanic Woodworking LLC

Kevin Ward, A. Ward Design

Moderator: Duane Griffiths, Stiles Machinery, Inc.

Automation can be the next step a shop needs to make in order to increase productivity and profit, reduce costly mistakes, create efficiencies and broaden one’s market. Learn how to gauge if investing in a CNC Router is the right decision for you and your shop’s current level of activity.  The panel discusses the types of automation, necessary machinery and software, as well as preparing personnel for the technology. They discuss how to set up a shop floor plan for new machines taking into account space, power and material handling, and how software can speed up and simplify the drawing and estimating processes. Examples and visuals will show what is available and how everything works together for positive results. Attendees leave informed on the benefits of automation and how to plan for it; the different types of machinery; choosing and using software; and how to set up for maximum efficiency.