Automation Begins Before the Machining Starts

Part two of the MakingChips conversation with Mike and Nick is now live — this one goes deep into Toolpath and the thinking behind how it helps shops run better.

Part one was more personal. It was the story of Al’s own journey. How it started on the shop floor, what lessons stuck along the way, and what led to the decision to start building Toolpath in the first place.

But part two is where things get tactical. It is about the real work. What makes a shop run well, where things usually break down, and why automation does not start at the spindle.

Automation begins before the machining starts.

That simple idea changes everything.

Most of the time, automation means robots. Machine tending, pallet changers, probe cycles, in-process inspection — all of it useful, but none of it matters if the job is not ready.

If the setup is missing parts

If the operator does not know what to run

If the fixture cannot be found

If the work order is unclear

Then the shop is just automating chaos.

That is the hidden cost in most modern shops. Not machine time. Not tool wear. Just disconnection. People who want to do good work but do not have the right information in front of them.

Toolpath is built to fix that.

It gives every person in the shop a clear view of what is happening — what needs to be done, what is coming next, and what is getting in the way. It removes the guesswork. No more chasing down job packets, or whiteboards, or spreadsheets that only one person knows how to update.

That is the real automation. Not just software running in the background. A system that helps people move faster, with more confidence and less friction.

Mike and Nick also brought up something that hits close to home — the most valuable machine in any shop is the team. Not the five axis. Not the robot. The people.

They are the ones solving problems, keeping work flowing, unblocking each other. The best shops are not just well-equipped — they are well-aligned. And that alignment is what Toolpath is built to support.

Huge thanks to the MakingChips team for the thoughtful conversation and for creating space to talk through what really makes a difference inside a modern shop.

🎧 Episode: Automation Begins Before Machining

Listen here: MakingChips – Part 2 with Toolpath