Adaptive Over Aggressive: Redefining Lights-Out Manufacturing with Camoren Schley, Ep #25

Lights-out manufacturing isn't just about adding robots or running machines overnight — it's about creating a culture and a system where your shop can perform at its peak without constant human intervention. In this episode of Lights Out, hosts Nick Goellner, Eric Nekich, and David Vuyk sit down with innovator and entrepreneur Camoren Schley of Slytek to explore the technologies and mindsets making true lights-out operations possible. Camoren's story begins in his grandfather's Denver manufacturing shop and evolves into a journey of building and selling high-pressure coolant systems, developing machine monitoring technology, and launching Slytek's advanced adaptive control solutions. He's not just creating products—he's redefining how small and mid-sized shops can compete with enterprise-level operations. This episode dives into the mindset shift from being aggressive to adaptive and reactive to predictive—a crucial transformation for any shop looking to scale its production, reduce tool wear, and embrace automation. Camoren explains how adaptive controls, process monitoring, and integrated machine intelligence can help shops run longer, safer, and smarter while dramatically cutting costs. Listeners will also hear real-world examples of shops that implemented Slytek technology to move from constant babysitting and tool breakage to fully unattended overnight production. Whether you're running five machines or 150, this conversation shows how measuring, monitoring, and coaching can unlock the next level of performance. Finally, the hosts discuss how Slytek's holistic approach—from machine monitoring to process control to coaching—bridges the gap between data and decision-making. It's a blueprint for any manufacturer looking to shift from firefighting to future-proofing.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:20) Invest in your business by investing in ProShop ERP (2:48) Why we get to record this episode in person (6:12) Camoren's family manufacturing legacy and how it shaped his approach to problem-solving (8:44) From repairing high-pressure coolant systems to designing his own solutions (11:10) Early machine monitoring experiments and the surprising boost in operator productivity (13:03) Founding Slytek and expanding into tool optimization and adaptive control technology (16:08) Adaptive controls—what they are and why small and mid-size shops need them (17:54) How Slytek's adaptive controls mimic an expert machinist adjusting feed rates in real time (20:23) Shifting from aggressive to adaptive mindsets (A case study on tool breakage) (26:33) Beyond the spindle: Coolant concentration, chip management, and process monitoring (29:37) Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (30:35) Slytek's process monitoring in graphite electrode manufacturing (33:43) The "villains" of lights-out manufacturing and how to measure before you manage (38:53) Understanding ROI: tailoring technology to solve the right problem for your shop (43:30) Coaching, accountability, and helping shops turn data into action (46:38) Why Slytek technology is built for small and mid-sized shops as well as big players (48:35) Your Lights Out "Plan of Action" to implement immediately  (53:05) Why you need to listen to Machine Shop Mastery Resources & People Mentioned Invest in your business by investing in ProShop ERP Phoenix Heat Treating Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Why you need to listen to Machine Shop Mastery Connect with Camoren Schley Connect on LinkedIn Slytek Connect With Lights Out LinkedIn MakingChips.com Subscribe to Lights Out On Apple and Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK