Next-Gen Metal Fab

In this episode of the Next-Gen Metal Fab podcast, host Tim Heston is joined by Caleb Chamberlain of OSH Cut and Lance Thrailkill of All Metals Fabricating to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the metal fabrication and manufacturing industries.

As tariffs and reshoring continue to stir uncertainty and volatility, Tim, Caleb, and Lance talk about how fabricators are looking for ways to stay competitive and agile. A...

Tim Heston, Lance Thrailkill, Caleb Chamberlain, and Cody Lee discuss how the everchanging tariffs on imported metals have led to significant volatility and price increases, challenges for manufacturers, and domestic mills raising prices to match the tariffs rather than passing along the benefits.

They explore strategies for diversifying customer bases, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to streamline sa...

Cody Lee from Everyday Technologies and Lance Thrailkill from All Metals Fabricating join the Next-Gen Metal Fab and Tim Heston as new co-hosts with Caleb Chamberlain from OSH Cut. The discussion touches on the history and evolution of their businesses, the role of automation and software in improving efficiency and productivity, and the various models and trends emerging in the metal manufacturing industry.

Tim, Caleb, Cody, an...

In this episode, Tim Heston and Caleb Chamberlain dive into the future of custom metal fabrication, exploring what the next several years could hold for this ever-evolving industry. They discuss how technology, particularly software and AI, is reshaping the landscape, driving trends like horizontal and vertical integration and paving the way for industry consolidation in metal manufacturing.

Email Tim at podcast@fmamfg.org with ...

Tim and Caleb discuss the challenges of hiring and retaining employees in the metal fabrication industry, particularly at high-mix, high-volume fab shops.

Caleb talks about how his company has found success by hiring people without prior fabrication experience and training them in-house and focusing on creating a collaborative, positive work environment with clear processes and systems to reduce stress. They also talk about the ...

Tim and Caleb discuss cost and time management in metal fabrication and job shop operations. They talk lean manufacturing, cash flow, margins, different approaches to cost accounting, and the importance of managing overhead costs. The conversation also touches on topics such as inventory, direct costs, remnant management, and the use of automation in the fabrication process.

They reference two books on the topic: Rebirth of Amer...

Tim and Caleb discuss the evolution of software in the metal fabrication industry and how AI tools have greatly improved the coding experience. Also in this episode of Next-Gen Metal Fab, they discuss the potential for AI to assist operators in identifying and fixing problems in real-time, as well as the possibility of non-software professionals learning coding with the help of AI tools. They also touch on the importance of data ag...

In this inaugural episode of The Next-Gen Metal Fab Podcast, Tim Heston and Caleb Chamberlain discuss the future of precision sheet metal and tube fabrication. They talk about the importance of designing for sheet metal in a simple and efficient way, as well as the role of design for manufacturability (DFM) in the engineering process. Caleb shares his experience in the precision sheet metal fabrication business and how his company,...