190: Why Manufacturers Should Build a Simulation-First Culture with Visual Components' Graham Wloch

Manufacturing Happy Hour

How can simulation revolutionize manufacturing? Graham Wloch, the Director of Business Development at Visual Components, joins the show this week to fill us in on the power of simulation.

We hear about Graham’s early career and what made him pivot into the world of simulation, automation, and robotics. Graham shares what he believes are the top challenges facing manufacturers and why now is the time to start thinking ahead and embracing new technology.

He breaks down the three main elements of simulations and explores how they can transform manufacturing processes all the way from ideation to production. Getting buy-in from leadership is always a challenge, but as Graham tells us in this episode, simulation can make that all-important buy-in easier and faster to achieve.

Tune in to the episode to hear Graham explain real-world examples of how simulation enables companies to become forward-thinking and why a simulation-first culture is key in manufacturing today.

In this episode, find out:

• Graham takes us through his early career and high school drafting experience
• Why Graham moved into mechanical design and the top things he learned
• How Graham made a pivot to working in simulation and how his previous experience helped
• Why Graham stands by his quote: the big no longer eat the small, the fast eat the slow
• The evolution and importance of simulation in manufacturing
• Real-world examples of companies using simulations and why simulation is not industry-specific
• Why manufacturers need to create a simulation-first culture
• How offline programming for robots helps to speed processes up

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Tweetable Quotes:

• “If you take simulation and you get everybody on that same page from concept and design to process, to robot programming, to controls validation, and everybody has that same information, everybody's able to share that vision.”
• “With the right simulation tools, you can do shipping and receiving, you can do product and part delivery. You can really turn the level of detail up as high as it'll go and understand how this living, breathing factory is going to get you to where you need to be.”
• “We always look for companies that are forward-thinking, that are excited to incorporate technology to not only improve the bottom line but even make employees’ lives better.”

Links & mentions:

• Visual Components, a world-leading 3D simulation and visualization specialist offering total process solutions for manufacturers, system integrators, and machine builders
• The Oxford Tap, offering a fresh take on classic pub fare in Oxford, MI, including ghost pepper wings

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.