Why an engineer runs a machine shop.
Hytex Robotics is one person's work: a patented autonomous robot, the software that inspects the parts, and the machinist who cuts them. The two halves of the business are not a diversification. They are the same skill applied twice.
Sam Barbee, owner of Hytex Robotics
Design and manufacture, not one or the other
Most machine shops are run by machinists. Most engineering firms have never had to hold a tolerance on a real machine. This company sits in the overlap because that is where the interesting problems are.
In practice this means the person quoting your job has designed machines, written the control code, and stood at the machine when the first part came off. Trouble in a print shows up at quote time instead of at first article.
Sam Barbee
Background
Owner| Role | Owner, engineer, machinist |
|---|---|
| Patent | US 12,421,042 — autonomous mobile case-picking robot |
| Built | ProPick — mechanics, electronics, controls and software, solo |
| Also built | The shop's quality management software, top to bottom |
| Day to day | Quotes, programs, machines, inspects and delivers |
The shop runs on software we wrote
In an engineer-run shop when the process needs something the off-the-shelf tools do not do, it gets built rather than worked around.
What it means for your job
A no comes early
If a part is a poor fit for our capabilities, you find out in the first reply.
Feedback on the print
Comments come back marked on the drawing, about manufacturability and cost. Nothing changes without your written approval.
One person accountable
The same person quotes, programs, machines, inspects and delivers. Nothing gets lost in a handoff.
Wylie, Texas
Located in Wylie, on the northeast side of Dallas–Fort Worth, most of the metro is inside a same-day hand delivery.
Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Visitors are welcome by appointment only.
Next step
Start with a real part
The fastest way to evaluate a shop is to give it something to make. Send a drawing and a quantity.