Automation Readiness Assessment

A clear, actionable review of your current workflow.

Includes:

Bottleneck identification

Workflow and process evaluation

Low‑cost improvement recommendations

Equipment upgrade suggestions

ROI‑focused automation opportunities

This is the ideal starting point for shops exploring automation for the first time.

Expert guidance for companies considering robotics or automated systems.

Includes:

FANUC robotics insight and programming considerations

Cycle‑time and throughput analysis

Cell layout and safety recommendations

Vendor and equipment selection guidance

Integration planning and risk reduction

This service helps you avoid costly mistakes and choose the right path forward.

Improve efficiency without unnecessary equipment purchases.

Includes:

Fixture and tooling recommendations

Mechanical design improvements

Process streamlining

Wste reduction strategies

Practical, shop‑floor‑ready solutions

This is ideal for companies wanting better output without major capital investment.

A complete, strategic plan for companies ready to move forward.

Includes:

Workflow mapping

Equipment recommendations

Cost‑benefit analysis

Implementation steps

Timeline and integration strategy

Ongoing advisory support

This is the premium, big‑picture service for long‑term growth.

Small manufacturers wanting to improve efficiency

Companies exploring robotics for the first time

Shops struggling with bottlenecks or inconsistent output

Teams needing expert guidance before investing in equipment

Businesses wanting to modernize without losing control of their process

I’m not a consultant who only talks — I’m a hands‑on designer, technician, and problem‑solver with real production experience. 

Over 12 years in the manufacturing and automation world.

FANUC robotics certification

12+ years in mechanical design and manufacturing

Experience across CNC, robotics, automated systems, and fabrication

Contract work with major firms in aerospace, automotive, fitness, and defense

A proven track record of improving workflows and solving complex production issues

My goal is simple: help you make smart, grounded decisions that support long‑term success.

Based in Brigham City, Utah, serving:

Northern Utah

Ogden

Logan

Salt Lake City

Remote consulting available nationwide

On site advisement can be provided if includes: Travel, Lodging, Transportation, Food, 

If you’re considering automation or want to improve your manufacturing workflow, I can help you determine the right steps with clarity and confidence.

A Simple, Real‑World Example: Forklift vs. Gantry Handling

In many shops, moving large metal sheets is a hidden time‑sink.
Here’s a real scenario from a typical fabrication layout:

• 42 ft × 60 ft workspace

• Two cutting machines (plasma + laser) on opposite ends

• Material shelves on either end

• One operator responsible for loading both machines

Most shops use a forklift for every sheet move.
But forklifts come with a lot of “invisible” time:

• Climbing in and out

• Buckling and unbuckling

• Starting and shutting down

• Maneuvering in tight spaces

• Lining up forks

• Safety checks

• Traffic and waiting

When you add it all up, a single sheet move typically consumes about 5 minutes of the operator’s day.

Forklift Time Consumption (Per Shift)

• Approximately 12 sheets moved per shift

• 5 minutes per move

• ≈ 60 minutes of operator time consumed every shift

That’s one full hour of the operator’s day spent just moving material — not cutting, not setting up, not producing.

Gantry System Time Consumption (Per Shift)

With a simple overhead gantry and an electromagnet:

• No climbing in or out

• No seatbelts

• No fuel

• No forklift traffic

• No tight maneuvering

• Operator stays on the floor, hands on the work

A sheet move takes about 3 minutes instead of 5.

• Approximately 13+ sheets moved per shift

• 3 minutes per move

• ≈ 30 minutes of operator time consumed every shift

That’s half the labor time, and the machines stay fed more consistently.

The Difference in One Shift

Method

Sheets/Shift

Time Spent Moving Material

Time Saved

Forklift

12

60 minutes

—

Gantry System

13+

30 minutes

30 minutes saved

What This Means for Your Shop

• Half the handling labor

• One extra sheet processed per shift

• Safer, cleaner workflow

• Less forklift wear and fuel

• More uptime on your machines

• More value from the same employee

This is the kind of practical, low‑cost automation that pays for itself quickly — and it’s exactly what I help shops design.

Safety benefits of gantry handling
In our example, the forklift consumes about 60 minutes per shift of high‑risk activity: climbing in and out, buckling and unbuckling, starting, stopping, and driving a loaded truck through tight spaces.

With an overhead electromagnet gantry, that drops to about 30 minutes per shift, with the operator staying on the floor, guiding the load with a pendant instead of a steering wheel. That’s roughly 50% less time spent in risky motions, dozens fewer mount/dismount events per day, and far less vehicle traffic around your people and machines.

The result is simple: fewer chances to get hurt, fewer near‑misses, and a calmer, more predictable workflow—while still keeping your plasma and laser tables fed

Example: Automating a Pallet‑Nailing Line With a FANUC Robot

Two operators feeding a pallet nailing machine can produce about 210 pallets per shift once you account for breaks. Their hands are close to the nailing heads all day, and every pallet requires repetitive reach‑ins and alignment.

By adding a FANUC robot to load the sticks — and keeping a 12‑foot safety zone at the infeed — that same machine produces 420 pallets per shift. The same two employees stay fully employed: both stage sticks for the robot, and one unloads finished pallets at the outfeed.

The results:

• 2× more pallets per shift

• 50% less labor per pallet

• Zero hands near the nailing heads

• 50% less repetitive‑motion strain

• 210 dangerous reach‑ins eliminated every day

• 7‑month ROI based on real production data

This is practical automation: safer, faster, and more consistent — without replacing your people.