Words matter – Understanding the importance of foundries and machine shops

Podcast: Words matter – Understanding the importance of foundries and machine shops

Jan. 23, 2024
In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Robert Brooks explores how misunderstanding is affecting the foundry and the metal casting industry.

Robert Brooks, editor in chief of Foundry Management & Technology and American Machinist, has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. Robert and his editorial team report on the manufacturing activities in the metal casting sector, including foundries and die casters, and the manufacturing technology sector, including machine shops and machining operations that are a part of larger OEMs. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Robert defines some of the essential terms that podcast listeners who are unfamiliar with the world of foundries and machine shops should know and how these sectors impact the manufacturing supply chain.  

Below is an excerpt from the podcast:

I'm making this effort to define things because as we hear so often, words matter and there's already too much misunderstanding about manufacturing and manufacturers. Over the past month, I've been corresponding with a young writer who aims to be a regular contributor to our pages and our sites. The initial pitch, “how can digitization reshape metal casting?,” seemed to be promising.

So I asked for an outline of this proposed essay. What I received showed me that her understanding of the subject was going to lead her in some unhelpful directions. So I revised and edited the outline and sent it back with some explanation of what I had done and some guidance about how I thought she should proceed with the research and composition.

About the Author

Robert Brooks

Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. His work has covered a wide range of topics, including process technology, resource development, material selection, product design, workforce development, and industrial market strategies, among others. Currently, he specializes in subjects related to metal component and product design, development, and manufacturing — including castings, forgings, machined parts, and fabrications.

Brooks is a graduate of Kenyon College (B.A. English, Political Science) and Emory University (M.A. English.)

Sponsored Recommendations

April 14, 2025
This paper addresses where leaks commonly occur, leak detection methods, and practical advice for an audit and repair plan. You'll learn why an ongoing leak detection and repair...
April 14, 2025
This special report explores the latest innovations in compressed air tech to help your facility reduce artificial demand and achieve greater system control. You'll also gain ...
April 14, 2025
Here are some things you can do in between formal preventive maintenance visits on your electric screw compressor to extend compressor life and prevent downtime.
April 14, 2025
Follow these ten steps for energy savings in your compressed air system.