In this episode of Data Driven Manufacturing, I sat down with Rupert Blackstone, Managing Director of Wattcraft, to unpack something a bit different—but just as crucial to the world of manufacturing: carbon impact. We kicked things off with a quiz that really made me stop and think—what actually has a bigger carbon footprint, cycling to work or driving? Rupert challenged some of my assumptions right out of the gate.

From there, we dug into the surprising carbon costs of everyday habits—leaving lights on, sending emails, and even what we eat. One standout moment was a discussion about bananas (yes, bananas). You’d think importing them from across the world would be terrible for the environment—but it turns out the full story is more complex, especially when you compare it to the impact of more intensive, local farming.

That led us into life cycle analysis—the proper, whole-system way to understand the environmental impact of products and processes. Rupert helped break down how this applies not just to consumer choices, but also to sustainable manufacturing. It’s an eye-opening conversation about context, trade-offs, and why the right data matters if we’re serious about sustainability.

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In this episode of Data Driven Manufacturing, host Rowan Easter-Robinson from TrackMyMachines welcomes Tom Smith, an experienced engineer with a background spanning CloudNC, Arrival, Fictive, and now Saeki. Recorded on-site at XY Engineering, the conversation dives into Tom’s third-generation roots in engineering and his mission to digitize tribal shopfloor knowledge to create scalable, repeatable manufacturing systems.

Tom discusses the transformative power of software in manufacturing—highlighting how AI, machine learning, and ERP systems can reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enable rapid replication across sites. They explore how platforms like CloudNC and Fictive are democratizing access to advanced manufacturing tools, particularly for SMEs, while balancing automation with the irreplaceable value of human expertise.

The episode touches on the importance of customization, real-time data analytics, and computational engineering in shaping the future of manufacturing. Tom shares hard-won lessons from VC-backed environments and emphasizes the need for adaptable, user-friendly systems that empower engineers to innovate.

Whether you're a shopfloor operator or a CTO, this episode offers rich insights into how software and data can drive smarter, leaner, and more competitive manufacturing operations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.