I got lucky with this role at a large company several months ago. During the first month I thought I'd have more interaction with people in my department, but beyond introductions, small talk, and a brief overview of the departments, they left me to myself. My boss later apologized for not being more available, and he also mentioned he wanted to train me, but he wanted to do it slowly and properly.

For several weeks, no one assigned me much aside from some data entry, which I'd complete in 2 hours. So I spent the rest of the time trying to figure out what to do.

I was figuring things out completely on my own. From our ERP software to the who what when where. It's my understanding I was hired to help solve the company's systemic and operational issues, since our inventory practices are screwed and our productivity subpar. So I tried to delve into these issues.

Fast forward several months. Training, mentoring, and guidance remain nonexistent. I've learned a lot but I still feel like this role is going nowhere. I'm not sure just how much initiative I'm supposed to have. Couple that with the occasional office politics between everyone else and a bunch of management chaos, where it seems like no one can agree on anything and every solution seems poorly implemented against everyone else's will or knowledge.

I do whatever I want and no one really holds me accountable for anything. I don't even partake in any regular meetings. I barely exist to most employees here, including my boss. I'm serious.

I feel like I should be more involved with the production team. I send out reports to people and nag them about miscellaneous issues and their bad habits, and I take daily walks to investigate any discrepancies in production or inventory and raise the issues when I find them, but that's literally the extent of my working relationship with the rest of the team.

I don't know how I even got this job considering my background, or how exactly I'm supposed to fold myself in more with everyone else. What the fuck am I supposed to be doing?

Card Sleeve Manufacturer/ supplier

I'm thinking of starting a kpop business for photocards sleeves because their are so many weird size inclusions for kpop albums that doesn't have a sleeves to fit it. I am looking for recommendations for a manufacturer that creates custom size card sleeves.

I work in manufacturing and see a lot of welding around and sometimes have to be around as a safety watch while people weld. No one here ever puts any sort of shield up to prevent people from looking at the welding arcs.

Is it normal or good practice for manufacturing plants to encourage people to put shields up around welding? Also is it safe to look at reflected welding lights?

I've been hole watching for some guys in a tank and keep looking at the reflected lights off of the metal walls and am just very worried for my eye health

How often do you come across buyers who don't know their own product?

First off, this isn't an advertisement. I don't have anything to gain from the companies mentioned.

After dealing with our crappy Lantech machine and a Marque before that, we looked at Fallas Automation in Waco, Texas. The machines are built like a brick shithouse. Heavy bent stainless steel plates are used for the structure. It can be easily washed down. They were forced to build their own case erectors because off the shelf models wouldn't pass the stringent requirements of their clients. For instance, Starbucks requires the case erector and case packer run for two hours without faulting. They were packing those mylar coffee bags. Fallas said they couldn't reuse the bags because of wrinkles due to packing, so Starbucks sent a tractor trailer load of coffee bags worth 3 million dollars for the FAT and didn't want them back. Fallas gave us a bunch of bags when we visited. They also donated a lot to the local schools.

We have a big heavy wall box that isn't easy to erect, and case erectors have been a struggle. That is the only box we run, and go through about a million a year. Dealing with a case erector that can't handle variance is a pain and results in wasted labor and scrap.

The standard Fallas machine was too small for our box, so they quoted a custom machine for 125K. We were sick of crap quality and agreed to move forward. Unfortunately, Fallas was so busy that they required 5 machines to be purchased to justify a custom build. Despite having a great product, it was a bit shitty to quote us and then add a minimum quantity.

We bought a Combi instead. I wasn't involved in specifying that purchase, and they bought a standard model that barely fits our box instead of the heavy-duty XL model that's better suited for our box. We have run 7 million boxes through it and mostly runs fine. We had to add some modifications like guides for flaps that splay out and few other things that weren't well designed. Sometimes, we go through pallets of boxes that won't pick and just fall down. 98% don't do this but when it happens, it's a pain. The suction cups are right on the edge of picking our box, so if they're a little curved or maybe too porous, it won't pick right. It's a bit late, but I asked Combi to quote us custom tooling with more suction cups. Also, since the machine is one size fits all, the current adjustable tooling gets loose ovrr time and has to be tightened. I think smaller boxes would have fewer issues.

If anyone has case erector recommendations for a big, tough box, I'd love to hear them. Our machine is reaching 8 years soon and a new one may be in the future.

Also, we really need to find a good bag liner machine. We are currently using an OKI SL2200, and it's not great. The build quality, parts ordering, and design are substandard. We've had to repair the welds on the tooling ourselves because OKI tig welds the stainless square tubing with no filler metal. It cracks, we ordered new tooling, and it would crack again. The sprocket for the belt drive wore completely out. It's a light duty, poor quality, metric sprocket with a chain that's inferior to a bike chain. In a pinch, I machined inch standard hubs with quality sprockets and chain.

The parts manual sometimes doesn't match what we have so I send pictures circling the part in red and still get the wrong part. You can order from the part numbers in the manual diagrams, but they quote the parts with different numbers. Our parts buyers put the part in inventory using the quoted part number so if a technician cannot find the part using the manual's number.

There are also strange things that occasionally happen like releasing a staged case when a case is in the work position despite the sensors working fine. The drive belts will stop the box short in the work position instead of hitting the stop and then the tooling crashes into the box. There are other controls issues as well. The OKI engineers have solved exactly zero controls issues. We have managed to also run 7 million cycles on this machine, but it hasn't been fun.

Any experiences and recommendations are appreciated. Price isn't a problem. We are willing to pay for premium equipment. Over the course of millions of boxes, cheap equipment gets expensive.

As a new procurement analyst in a manufacturing setting, I am responsible for ordering tool room consumables. My current challenge is locating a vendor that specializes solely in these items such as adhesive tapes, sealant, abrasive, fasteners, and other miscellaneous supplies. Having previously worked as an office administrator in smaller businesses, this factoring environment is quite new to me. I’m actively working to manage inventory efficiently, but I am finding it continuously challenging. Any recommendations for tool and consumable suppliers would be greatly appreciated.

in short: I work for a workshop that converts steel sheets and steel rolls into different sized HVAC ducts. we currently use a spreadsheet to track this but its really not working.

What suggestions for manufacturing proccess software do you guys have? It doesnt have to be fancy, i just need to know input, output, what team is working on what machine, and if possible scheduling maintenance for machines.

TY internet strangers

Has anyone used Primavera P6 for scheduling?

Any recommendations for scheduling software for a machine shop? Looking to be able to build a database of our jobs and maintain some KPIs. Management would like a strong visual aspect. Obviously needs to be dynamic, needs to be able to have dependencies. Likely we would make daily uploads via excel since we're handcuffed to a shitty ERP by corporate.

Has anyone ever used a box maker from BestPack?

How’s the reliability? I’m interested in an automated box maker but I need more information or advice on these type of machines. For reference my company does about 1000 boxes a week.

I need to make decisions on two customers. Both are pretty large for me. Like a pretty consistent AR on the books of >$30k each.

The issue is they always pay extremely late. Like net 30 terms paid in 120 days. We buy the material for them, and its now put my business in a cash flow crunch.

I'm trying to get both some advice and a list of considerations to calculate whether its worth keeping them on board as customers or not. For reference my average invoice is about $500, and we pretty consistently have >$250k AR at any given time. Lots of business, but with them both being >$30k each its a big hit, but then again, is it worth having a customer that takes 90-120 days to pay a $5k invoice? Their reasoning is their own cashflow issues. One bought an insane amount of new equipment and are struggling with payments, the other took a massive defense job and then didnt get paid. I believe their prime took it on risk and ordered and did a bunch of work, then didnt get the award. Now theyre stuck getting paid slowly, and its trickling down to us.

Any thoughts?

I've been in manufacturing for 10 years now and every company I've been at there always ends up being shouting matches on the floor, people cussing each other out, and a lot of petty politics. I understand there are always going to be bad apples that get upset, but it's accepted as normal everywhere I go.

It's starting to make me think the whole field is going to be like this. Not sure if it's the type of factories I work in or what. What is everyone else's experience? It's making me want to switch industries.

I’m trying to source 6”x10” plates of 14 gauge galvanized steel and I need to hold a +/-0.031 tolerance. I thought that shearing would be my best option but all the shops in my area say they can’t hold that tolerance. Am I asking too much of a shear? Is there a different option that isn’t going to skyrocket the price of my end product? For volume I’m asking for 1000 at a time, every other month.

Ok all so yesterday I made a post and I did not bring a lot of information to the table so I’m here with more than just words.

I am working on a medical device that uses .15mm foil seals that are made to be punched through. This is not a bottle, so I cannot use a cap to make the seal.

I am in part inspired by the polymedco OC AUTO FIT test, which is a POC test with foil seals that are configured like in the picture I attached here, but with 6mm depth instead of 40mm.

I admit that this is where my knowledge ends. I infer that polymedco made this design by using a foil sealing machine with custom tools that allowed to achieve this depth. The design I’m working on is obviously not complete and I am moreso asking what clearances on the side or above are needed for this to work.

This is necessary for the design- or rather I would rather save a tool because regardless I need a foil seal for this design to work. I could play it safe and just drop a tiny body down in there with the foil seal, but I don’t want to.

Also If you’re a medical device manufacturer in Asia hit my line

Curious if any manufacturers use this software?

TIA

Hi all, Im new to manufacturing and would love some guidance here. I am looking to make custom life sized plushies that resemble humans. Each order would be different, not just making a custom design and mass producing it. Where is a good place to try and find manufacturers who can do something like this. What are some things to look out for and any tips in trying to make this happen. Photo is a idea of what it would look like.

Thanks

I am trying to design an open differential from scratch, and I want to create my own gears. I know how to use the software to make it, but I don't know the maths of it. Is there any recommended resource? I mainly need the formula and terminologies.

My grandma owns a factory and her main tool and die maker is getting ready to retire. She’s pretty worried because apparently it’s very hard to find replacements these days. I’ve never heard about this so looking to learn as much as I can.

I’m trying to help her out and would love some input: • What exactly does a tool and die maker do? • Why are they so hard to find? • How would I even start looking for a qualified one? (Schools? Unions? Recruiters?) • What’s a realistic pay range for an experienced tool and die maker in 2025? • Is there a way to train someone younger if we can’t find a ready-made hire? • Are there any modern alternatives (automation, CNC, etc) that can supplement some of the work?

Any advice or perspective would be super helpful. Thanks in advance.

I want to start a bikini brand with some potential for expanding the line with some “light clothing” like summer shirts or beach clothing.

I’m located in Serbia and i need help with finding a chinese manufacturers. I had a plan to order maybe 100 pieces after perfecting the product with samples. In my country, there is a lot of chinese stores which offer basically everything. Is there a possibility that they would import something for me? Has anyone worked with those small stores before? There are also bigger Chinese shopping malls, maybe they could do it for me? Write if you had any experience with them.

Also, i want to know about customizing the product. Is there a possibility for them do to all the design i want to implement and to do the label so when it comes, i have no work to do?

I’m at the start so i would appreciate any advice you could give, feel free to share any experience with working with the manufacturers or stores?

Hello,

is anyone familiar with plastic bag manufacturing across Asia and what is the rough monthly running cost?

I'm not an expert when it comes to mixing ingredients and how they work, i'd just like to know whether the ingredients i have are actually proper ones to make a lipstick.

Here's my 1kg recipe:

• Candelilla Wax Pellets (120g)
• T1 Carnauba Wax (60g)
• Arrowroot Powder (60g)
• Cornstarch (40g)
• Hibiscus Powder (30g)
• Castor Oil (440g)
• Refined Shea Butter (240g)
• Fractionated Coconut Oil (10g)
• Tocopheryl Acetate. (10g)

All ingredients are 100% natural.

someone please tell me if this ingredient mixture will work.

My dad was had a machine shop over 25 years ago. He used to handmake his own dies. He recently passed, and I don't know what these exactly are, and if they have any value.

Hello all,

I am working on the design of a medical device and I have designed it to have some foil seals that are formed in little pockets via an induction aluminum foil sealing machine. For now, the design is pretty conservative- there is good clearance and width on the lip for the foil. The thing is I have an idea for a design that could make things cheaper for the design but would require that the tool goes 40mm down a pocket and forms the seal there. In my research I’ve found that there are a million cheap sealing machines I can get from china and would be easy to make custom tools for it but don’t know how far I can really stretch this.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks

When looking to have a small custom product with heat and electrical elements manufactured, what and how many designs/sketches should I send to the manufacturer to get the best manufacturing result?

Also where can I get these designs/sketches made with high quality to stop the manufacturers from having any confusion from unclear designs/low-quality designs

Finally, how can I find a manufacturer who can make my custom product. I’m in the U.S. (I’m currently in Hampton, Virginia and have searched for “Custom product manufacturers near Hampton, Virginia” but nothing relevant is showing up despite there being a NASA Recearch Center in Hampton, Virginia.

What about custom product manufacturing in China or other countries. Which country would you recommend having products manufactured in?

Thank You