On today's episode, we talk layout. Is it still a valuable tool in a machinist's toolbox in this digital age of CAD/CAM and CNC? I still think so, and I will discuss a few examples of why.

On today's episode, Dr. Rohan Prabhu Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Lafayette College joins the show to discuss iterative design and the "Graveyard of Ideas". We also talk shop about his KIDD Lab, of which he is the director.

Also, after the live interview, I will air the recorded interview I had with Kat Valentine, Director of the MakerSpace at Penn College of Technology. Here, Kat goes into detail on what the spaces are, what they do, and how they can help shape the future of manufacturers, designers, and engineers!

For reference, KIDD Lab site is

https://sites.lafayette.edu/kidd-lab/

Site for the PCT MakerSpace is

https://www.pct.edu/academics/makerspace

On today's episode, I have my first guest! We will be discussing some ways in which engineers and the shop personnel can better work together and repair the communications breakdown between the two that so often plagues the industry. As an added bonus to round out 2025, this episode and the next will both be double-headers, in that I will have the live interview for you here, along with a recorded interview that augments the live show. Please stay tuned directly after our live interview to see the added bonus clip. If you miss the bonus talk, it is uploaded on my LinkedIn Page below:

Head over to https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-layng-604031391/ to see the uploaded video.

🎙️ Live Mondays at 7 a.m. CT / 8 a.m. ET🎧 New episodes release Tuesdays at 5:30 a.m. CT / 6:30 a.m. ET🔗 Follow CTE on Spotify Creators: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cte-daily-grind

On today's episode, I will be discussing the age-old debate between AutoDesk and SolidWorks. Featuring investigative results on the opinions of various professionals who use these products.

Start your week with The Daily Grind™, a live machining podcast from Cutting Tool Engineering and Innovation Network LLC. Hosted by Lafayette College’s Robert Layng, the show explores real manufacturing challenges and the people driving innovation.

🎙️ Live Mondays at 7 a.m. CT / 8 a.m. ET

🎧 New episodes release Tuesdays at 7 a.m. CT / 8 a.m. ET

🔗 Follow CTE on Spotify Creators: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cte-daily-grind

On our inaugural episode, I will be sharing my thoughts on how to shrink the existential skills gap, and I will be sharing a few success stories to advocate for the skilled trades.