u/CreativePin9113

Hey everyone,

I’ve been trying to learn more about how smaller manufacturing/machine shops currently track operational metrics and production data in the real world.

I work with some smaller local shops (few machines and a couple operators). I’m starting to notice that some of the shops are on their a game with accurate timelines, quality, expected maintenance scheduling, etc. Whereas some, seem to be chaotic and all over the place. I was under the assumption that the better shops use ERP or different software like Predator or Spectrum, but it could be something else.

That being said, A few things I’m curious about from different shops and how they operate:

1) Roughly how many machines is your shop running daily?

2) What types of equipment are you primarily using?
(CNC mills, lathes, lasers, EDM, press brakes, injection molding, etc.)

3) What metrics/data does your shop actually track regularly?
Examples:

(cycle time, runtime, downtime, scrap/rework, maintenance logs, setup time, labor hours, throughput, job profitability, OEE, etc.)

4) How is this information tracked?

paper logs

Excel

ERP/MRP software

machine exports

MES software

not tracked consistently

something else?

Would really appreciate any insight from machinists, operators, manufacturing engineers, shop owners, programmers, maintenance guys, etc.

Thanks.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been trying to learn more about how smaller manufacturing/machine shops currently track operational metrics and production data in the real world.

Not trying to sell anything — genuinely just trying to understand how shops are actually operating today versus what people online/videos make it seem like.

A few things I’m curious about:

1) Roughly how many machines is your shop running daily?

2) What types of equipment are you primarily using?
(CNC mills, lathes, lasers, EDM, press brakes, injection molding, etc.)

3) What metrics/data does your shop actually track regularly?
Examples:

(cycle time, runtime, downtime, scrap/rework, maintenance logs, setup time, labor hours, throughput, job profitability, OEE, etc.)

4) How is this information tracked?

paper logs

Excel

ERP/MRP software

machine exports

MES software

not tracked consistently

something else?

5) What operational issue frustrates your shop the most currently?

(example: scheduling, downtime, quoting accuracy, visibility, maintenance, tracking labor, etc.)

Would really appreciate any insight from machinists, operators, manufacturing engineers, shop owners, programmers, maintenance guys, etc.

Thanks.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been trying to learn more about how smaller manufacturing/machine shops currently track operational metrics and production data in the real world.

Not trying to sell anything — genuinely just trying to understand how shops are actually operating today versus what people online/videos make it seem like.

A few things I’m curious about:

1) Roughly how many machines is your shop running daily?

2) What types of equipment are you primarily using?

(CNC mills, lathes, lasers, EDM, press brakes, injection molding, etc.)

3) What metrics/data does your shop actually track regularly?

(cycle time, runtime, downtime, scrap/rework, maintenance logs, setup time, labor hours, throughput, job profitability, OEE, etc.)

4) How is this information tracked?

paper logs

Excel

ERP/MRP software

machine exports

MES software

not tracked consistently

something else?

5) What operational issue frustrates your shop the most currently?

(example: scheduling, downtime, quoting accuracy, visibility, maintenance, tracking labor, etc.)

I’m mainly curious because it seems like there’s a huge difference between:

“what manufacturing software/equipment CAN do”

vs

what shops actually use day-to-day.

Would really appreciate any insight from machinists, operators, manufacturing engineers, shop owners, programmers, maintenance guys, etc.

Thanks.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been trying to learn more about how smaller manufacturing/machine shops currently track operational metrics and production data in the real world.

Not trying to sell anything — genuinely just trying to understand how shops are actually operating today versus what people online/videos make it seem like.

A few things I’m curious about:

1) Roughly how many machines is your shop running daily?

2) What types of equipment are you primarily using?
(CNC mills, lathes, lasers, EDM, press brakes, injection molding, etc.)

3) What metrics/data does your shop actually track regularly?
Examples:

(cycle time, runtime, downtime, scrap/rework, maintenance logs, setup time, labor hours, throughput, job profitability, OEE, etc.)

4) How is this information tracked?

paper logs

Excel

ERP/MRP software

machine exports

MES software

not tracked consistently

something else?

5) What operational issue frustrates your shop the most currently?

(example: scheduling, downtime, quoting accuracy, visibility, maintenance, tracking labor, etc.)

I’m mainly curious because it seems like there’s a huge difference between:
“what manufacturing software/equipment CAN do”
vs
what shops actually use day-to-day.

Would really appreciate any insight from machinists, operators, manufacturing engineers, shop owners, programmers, maintenance guys, etc.

Thanks.

To put this into perspective, I’m a 29 (M). I’m not super into the online dating community but as of recent I’ve dabbled a bit. In complete transparency, I’m not the best at replying, but typically when I do, I’m there and I think I have the ability to make the conversations somewhat interesting with banter and what not. Not saying I’m some rizz god or whatever these kids say, lol, but I can hold a convo.

That being said. What is your take on someone replying “haha”? I’ve always considered this an automatic conversation stopper and never really try to keep the convo going after that. Is that just me? lol. Idk, seems like the other party is trying to end the convo. Could be over thinking it.

In this specific situation I’m referring to, the woman snap chatted me first, and then I replied with a message and then she said “haha”. I didn’t say anything crazy at all, and without context it would be too much to explain. But yeah, what are your guys’ takes on this?

Curious to hear any input here.