Scott Kraemer with Xact Metal
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Scott Kraemer, Senior Sales Manager at Xact Metal about “Evolution of Additive Manufacturing”.
Scott Kraemer, a seasoned manufacturing professional with over 35 years of experience, discusses his company, Xact Metal, which specializes in affordable 3D printing of metal parts. Xact Metal’s printers, made in the USA, are priced around $160,000 and can handle various materials like stainless steel, Inconel, and titanium. Kraemer emphasizes the importance of educating the youth about manufacturing careers and the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize industries, particularly in tooling and medical applications. He also highlights the company’s nimbleness in adapting to industry needs, such as printing with sub-15 micron powders for intricate details.
Kai Li with Mean Well USA
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Kai Li, Production Manager at Mean Well USA about “Power solutions for manufacturing”.
Kai Li, Product Manager at Mean Well USA, discussed the company’s role as a leading power supply manufacturer with over 15,000 standard SKUs. Mean Well specializes in industrial equipment, medical devices, and LED lighting, emphasizing reliability and smaller, higher-protection power supplies. The company has a subsidiary in Kansas City dedicated to providing turnkey solutions. Li highlighted Mean Well’s adaptability, driven by a robust R&D team and long-term supplier relationships. The company is transitioning to a solutions provider, focusing on sustainability and AI-driven power demands. Li also mentioned Mean Well’s extensive training programs for distributors and their reliance on a global distribution network for over 70% of sales.
Brian Romano with The Arthur G. Russell Company
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Brian Romano, Director of Technology Development at Arthur G. Russell about “Automation Solutions”.
Brian Romano from Arthur G. Russell discussed the company’s focus on custom-designed automation, particularly for the medical device industry. Romano highlighted the importance of nimble solutions due to rapid market changes and technological advancements. He emphasized the need for continuous learning and training within the workforce, mentioning initiatives like a mini MBA and augmented reality glasses for remote support. Romano also noted the significant skills gap in automation, with only 16,000 graduates annually against 60,000 job openings. He stressed the importance of staying ahead in technology to maintain U.S. manufacturing leadership.
Zach Bauer with Murrelektronik
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Zach Bauer, Sales Development Program Manager at Murrelektronik about “Automation Insights”.
Zach Bauer, Sales Development Manager at Murrelektronik, discussed the company’s innovative solutions for industrial automation at MD&M West in Anaheim, California. Murrelektronik specializes in automated machinery infrastructure, offering decentralized, agnostic systems that reduce labor requirements and improve efficiency. Their SIP safety fusion block consolidates safety signals on the machine, reducing wiring and improving connectivity. Bauer highlighted the company’s manufacturing facilities in Georgia, Germany, and the Czech Republic, and emphasized the importance of data collection and edge computing in modern manufacturing. He also shared his background in industrial automation and the company’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Jan Bendier with Harro Hoefliger
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Jan Bendier, Business Development Manager at Harro Hoefliger about “From lab to production”.
The conversation features Scott MacKenzie from the Industrial Talk podcast, discussing the MD&M West event in Anaheim, California, with Jan from Harro. Jan, originally from Germany, has been with Harro for 10 years and is currently based in California. Harro specializes in automation equipment for the pharma, medical, and biotech industries, focusing on custom applications and the “from lab to production” approach. They have been in business since 1975 and maintain a strong presence in the US market. Jan highlights the trend towards self-administration in healthcare and Harro’s use of AI for predictive maintenance. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Jan on LinkedIn and attend MD&M West 2027.