Manufacturing faces a critical moment: adapt to artificial intelligence, or risk falling behind. In this episode of CNC Underground AfterHours, experienced manufacturing problem-solver Chris Stevens, known as "The Mfg Coach," shares hard-won lessons and practical strategies to help manufacturers use AI meaningfully, without losing sight of people or process.

The conversation takes you from the shop floor to the boardroom, untangling where AI can offer immediate value, how context can drive real results, and why small to mid-sized businesses may actually have the advantage. Tactics for capturing tribal knowledge, deploying AI for everyday tasks, and building a business foundation for sustainable growth are broken down with candor and wit.

Whether you're unsure about onboarding AI, already experimenting, or simply trying to keep pace, this episode brings a clear-eyed look at what's hype, what's real, and how to make smarter decisions for your shop, your team, and your future.

Are you ready to future-proof your shop? Find resources, events, and connect with Chris Stevens at thehomeofmfg.com and on LinkedIn. Don't forget to subscribe for more manufacturing stories, strategies, and tech updates each week.

———

Connect with CNC Underground on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cnc-underground

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christhemfgcoach/

The Home of Mfg: www.thehomeofmfg.com

———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

————

About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

Experience the world of CNC machine controls and manufacturing usability in this episode focused on how human factors impact shop efficiency and operator skill. The discussion centers on usability in CNC workflows, the often-overlooked costs of training and error, and how solutions like Kinetic OS seek to bridge the gap between seasoned machinists and newer operators.

With decades of manufacturing experience, insights touch on the evolution of machine controls, the persistent "clunkiness" of interfaces, and how improved user experiences can address labor shortages and operational safety. Along with practical demonstrations, listeners get a quick-fire round of trade secrets, and a glimpse into the parallels between engineering and sailing.

———

Connect with CNC Underground on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cnc-underground

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn:

The Legetti Performance website: https://legettiperformance.com/

BEC Machining LLC website: https://becmachining.com/

Neilsen Norman Group link to write up describing usability:

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability/

Neilsen Norman Group link to video describing usability:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st9AEPOjGpU&t=53s

———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

————

About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

CNC Underground Afterhours pushes past the marketing buzz to take a hard look at AI’s real impact on the machine shop floor. Industry veteran Tanmay, founder and CEO of Lambda Function, joins to discuss AI, automation vs. autonomy, and the relationship between technology and the artistry of CNC machining.

Learn why trust is harder to build with AI in manufacturing, what matters most to shop owners, and which tasks AI can and can’t handle today. Understand the future potential for AI-driven CNC, what’s holding back wider adoption, and how knowledge capture is changing the industry. Plus, the conversation takes a thoughtful look at psychology, learning from children, and finding inspiration outside manufacturing.

———

Connect with CNC Underground on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cnc-underground

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Tanmay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanmayaggarwal/

Connect with Lambda Function on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lambda-function/

———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

————

About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

—————————————————————————————————

Chapters:00:00 Brand new part: Would you let AI run it?00:33 AI in manufacturing: Buzzwords vs. reality02:10 Path to Lambda Function and CNC programming04:48 The problem Lambda Function is solving05:55 Does Lambda’s AI actually learn from customer data?07:24 Why static G-code doesn’t work for a dynamic world09:54 Opinionated programmers and the art of CNC11:00 How little the general public understands CNC12:49 The difference between automation and autonomy13:33 Why true autonomy is so hard in CNC15:32 Will CNC become AINC? (AI numerical control)16:41 Change on the shop floor: What actually matters18:03 Knowledge capture, institutional memory, and scaling expertise19:41 Why trust matters more than the tech itself22:11 AI trust at work vs. in consumer life23:17 Risks, tolerance, and the role of human oversight24:05 Machinists as technologists and technology adoption in manufacturing25:49 Technology adoption speed and production risk26:46 AI or Absolutely Not? Game: What will you actually let AI do?29:39 Where AI can (and can’t) replace tribal knowledge32:48 AI isn’t here to replace people33:14 The skills gap and getting kids interested in manufacturing35:17 How technology can make CNC more accessible for the next generation37:47 The impact of 3D printing’s accessibility39:47 Why CNC isn’t as plug-and-play as people expect42:22 The value of problem-solving and engineering with kids45:14 The future: Iterating quickly, pragmatic solutions, and shop owner impact46:21 Market curiosity to active discovery for AI in CNC48:34 Predicting the machine shop of 203553:52 What will feel normal in 5 years?55:08 Examples of near-term AI applications on the shop floor57:12 Psychology, running, golf, and learning outside CNC58:05 How psychology affects business and leadership01:02:21 Lessons kids teach that business school can’t01:03:56 The biggest surprises about bringing AI to manufacturing01:07:22 Stay connected and closing thoughts