Special Note on Automation
Everybody knows that automation can be a useful strategy in scaling up a manufacturing operation. But did you know that there’s one easy-to-make mistake that can cause you to waste time and money when you’re doing that automation? Princess Capybara didn’t know at first… If you’re a regular Zattatat... Read More...
Ways of Making Things 4: Types of 3D Printing
You know that there are plenty of manufacturing technologies out there besides 3D printing, and that its reputation probably benefits at least a little bit from having such a cool name… But you probably also realize that as an entrepreneur, small-scale manufacturer, (or creator, inventor, or whatever you call... Read More...
Ways to Make Things Part 3 – Sheet Metal Forming
You’re on board* with learning about the most common manufacturing technologies. Because you’re a small business owner (or a maker or manufacturer or craftsperson or whatever you call yourself!) And although you may already have processes for making your products, you know that there is value in learning what... Read More...
Manufacturing Technologies Part 2: Casting
Casting: an ancient and modern manufacturing technology Everybody knows that casting is the hot new technology taking the media by a storm! … Actually no, that would be Artificial Intelligence, or in the manufacturing world, probably 3D printing. But casting is a very important manufacturing technology, and one that... Read More...
Manufacturing Technologies Part 1
Intro to manufacturing technologies You’re already confident making things and selling them. Because you’re a maker, manufacturer, entrepreneur, creator, or whatever you choose to call yourself. But have you ever hesitated when you had an idea for a new product, because you realized you weren’t 100% sure about the... Read More...
Different manufacturing technologies for different scales
You know that “manufacturing” is really the same thing as “making something” in many ways. (If you don’t? Read about it in this article.) But one of the biggest differences between making 1 vs. 100 vs. 100,00 vs. 1,000,000,000 of something is… Different manufacturing technologies make sense at different... Read More...
Robotics: Your Easy Introduction
You know that automation is important to understand as you start to scale your Maker business. Now, let’s do an easy crash course in robotics. You may or may not end up using robotics in your manufacturing business (your business, your decision!), but you can’t make an informed decision... Read More...
Considering Automation? Here’s how to know WHAT to automate!
Industrial Automation You know that you should consider industrial automation no matter how small your operation is, and you also know that the most important thing to think about when you’re ready to automate is why you want to automate. (If you don’t? Go back and read the first... Read More...
Automation: it’s great but it’s not everything!
You have a small- or mid-sized manufacturing operation, and you’re ready to start automating it. Maybe you came to this idea on your own, maybe you read about it elsewhere, or maybe we here at Process Cat convinced you in the last article when we talked about how no... Read More...
Why you should consider industrial automation
You might see this title and think, no, industrial automation isn’t for me! I make beaded curtain ties (or handmade knives, or pineapple-shaped pencil holders…) and I make them by hand! Misconceptions about Industrial Automation If you’re scared off by the word “industrial”? Don’t be. For our purposes, we... Read More...
THE ZATTATAT CAST:
Meet the characters with the skills & Zattatudes who can help engineer your manufacturing success
Princess Capybara
Age: 35
Background: Biotech
Current Gig: Mold-Making
Zattatude: Seeks to geek out with the top tech she knows best
Gary
Age: 44
Background: Accounting
Current Gig: Baking
Zattatude: Lives to figure out how everything in life adds up
Process Cat
Age: Timeless
Background: Manufacturing
Current Gig: Helping People
Zattatude: Loves to teach others how to scale up their businesses
Rhonda
Age: 53
Background: Nursing
Current Gig: Woodworking
Zattatude: Celebrates ditching her bureaucratic hospital job for her hands-on craft business