Seven Powerful Tools of the T.REX Engineering Team

[@MichaelAllanFrancisSheaver]

In-house development of custom tools like this goes a long way toward helping to build even greater vertical integration for the business. Equally crucial is management support and corporate culture that encourages the iterative development behind this development process. Great work, T-Rex!

[@tiny_tex]

maybe not pioneering the technologies, but sharing the process of actually building a functioning company from a little shop doing handmade individual products to mass production is something I don't think has been done before. I'd love to see more stuff like this, showing how y'all learned to grow as a company. I think its useful information for everyone looking to expand their own horizons

[@loftonjones3418]

As an electrical engineer who works with PLC and complex processes it was awesome to see how excited you guys are to learn new things and innovate as you go. Great job guys!

[@tcrTEC]

I love the coffee cup on top of the custom machine at the end of the video…

[@oliverallen5324]

Keep going Trex Engineering. American manufacturing is the future

[@kjimbo5569]

Lmao. It’s not, but I appreciate your enthusiasm.

[@MillstoneProject]

@@kjimbo5569it is. A country should be able to manufacture as much as possible. Maximize exports, minimize imports.

[@tristanbosworth3742]

I’ve worked in automation for about 6 years now and I am so impressed that you guys started from 0 and got to that. Those look like amazing pieces of equipment!

[@johndunbar2393]

My Dad used to make everything he wanted, when I was young, because we didn't have a lot of money. From foot scrapers, to pickup beds, to car trailers. This is taking that mentality to the furthest degree, and I love it! This gives so much power to the individual, or business, and takes it away from those who don't deserve it. Keep moving forward T-Rex!

[@CivilianOperators]

This is so inspiring; seeing the in-house process thriving in such a healthy manner. T.Rex is really cookin up some special stuff.

[@hadojin210]

Today I learned Tennessee accents kinda sound Australian

[@zoch9797]

Both ultimately deriving from West Country and Scottish accents.

[@hadojin210]

@@zoch9797 turns out it was just an Aussie accent 😅

[@12389herbie]

Lol. And for my next invention, the Barbie Grill 2.0

[@lavenderlilacproductions]

Crikey!

[@ThePatriotParadox]

I'm from Tennessee, this is the funniest comment ever...lol I'm proud mate.

[@iankeichi]

Looks like a fun place to work. Growth is a blast to be part of.

[@michaelwilliamson4916]

As someone who works in QA for a living, it's refreshing to see an engineer who takes an FMEA seriously.

[@jeremyramirez9440]

This is great. I work in manufacturing and just the thought processes you guys seem to have when tackling problems put you well above your peers.

[@lordhuck2689]

Isaac taught me four or five new things in this video, chief among them is that the word “tools” Is actually two syllables.

[@duck_rifle5879]

If you’re able to read between the lines, you can understand what’s going on here. This is the innovation we’ve lost in modern America. We’ve got to return to this state of innovation.

[@backwardog1]

Great behind the scenes look. Lessons learned with pain are never forgotten. Well, as long as the team stays together. Good job.

[@xxxlonewolf49]

Oh they can be forgotten with time & brainwashing, look at American today & then read what the Founding Fathers said & wanted.

[@bargey13]

That’s a fancy tool to set a cup of coffee on! Take pride in what you do and keep your tools clean. It’s a hard thing to do or teach.

[@waylonk2453]

Great to see each man with his machine

[@chazvegas_]

I too want to learn EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING.... My goodness this channel scratches an itch I didn't know I had!

[@pa_trickbrandt]

Ikr? Like if I wasn't states away I'd try to shadow and gopher for these guys just to see what it's like inside

[@DM-qm5sc]

I love all of your technical videos! I really appreciate your pace of explanation and the density of knowledge in each video.

[@DULLBOYBLADES]

I’ve watched this video a bunch of times now. Well done, it’s super cool to know that others have a passion for improving processes like y’all do. The cost of doing something like this is no doubt huge, but the value that is created from the machine and more importantly the lessons learned along the way is massive. Thanks for sharing Isaac and crew 🤙

[@mariusj8542]

We are a small startup medical company, but we decided from the start to put cnc ( mostly aluminium), 3d printing, electrical and electronics( sensors and motors) in-house. The ability to make most part our self is a real competitive advantage, and we can use cheap components to do prototypes, and then choose to replace critical parts with higher quality brands after a test period. So great to hear you also have a focus on keeping competence in-house.

[@beaujumper]

The automation shop I work for would have charged a fortune for that little heat press machine. That's an awsome capability to be able to do in house.

[@Orange.Delicious]

Making a thermoformer from scratch is pretty cool. Used to work in a field that used massive thermo formers to soft touch surfaces for cars (door panel, dashboard, center console)

[@hatless-cluncky-capsize]

This is a wonderful walk though of the how's and whys of what TREX LABS does. thank you! The flow is amazing too!

[@collinfischer7281]

As an equipment service tech for a large automotive company in the US, who specializes in robotics and automation. I find it very cool to see the process a smaller company takes to learn new skills. A company who was willing to spend more time and money to develop new equipment that could be easily made my a integration company, rather they want to benefit the company more by bettering the company and learn new skills is amazing. Keep up the great work love the company and message.

[@kaeota]

As a small business start up focusing on manufacturing and design, this is super interesting. It doesn't need to be innovative to be valuable. Thank you.

[@BenfromFlux]

I’m an engineer, and this video was awesome. Absolutely love T Rex Labs, thank you 🙏

[@hooks4638]

This channel is just the coolest ever.

[@cwo8771]

Love that you guys are manufacturing in the USA.

[@eddie5556]

This is awesome how you Show behind the scenes Development of your own custom tools and machinery, not many people would do that

[@rocco9216]

Trex is a gift to the community

[@gertgilich3508]

Great show. Many thanx from a german engineer in South Africa! Much appreciated! 👍🇿🇦🇩🇪🇺🇲

[@MichaelMoore-zn3ql]

These videos are always awesome. Thanks Trex.

[@jordanwerzinski1574]

So the real treasure is the lessons we learned along the way?

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Always.

[@stupidityonly478]

Thanks Isaac!

[@brandona1370]

I have been a subscriber of TREX labs for quite a while now. I am an industrial automation professional and this video was particularly exciting to me! I even have quite a bit of experience with the Click PLC's!!!

[@gkalkowsky]

This was great as an engineer. I really love to hear about the changes and the processes and how you think about your designs. And as a citizen, it's inspiring to hear about your growth. Congratulations on your success and looking forward to future updates

[@Kencolabel]

Great video! So happy to be a partner of yours and see proud and innovative American manufacturing. At some point, we would love to have you come see our facility.

[@CourtneyRoberts1982]

I love this kind of deep dive, but I also love that you guys are capable of doing this level of engineering and developing intellectually in a significant way. I am also in manufacturing management so the struggle is real.

[@bulltron8926]

If knowledge is power, then learning to do most if not all of your manufacturing and not just manufacturing products but the actual tools you use to make said products you enable yourself to "make" anything. And that is real power. I know "Dune" said the power to destroy is real power but I say the real power comes from creating.

[@Beard_Man_Rob]

I love this content, Isaac! Keep at it!

[@tobo21m]

One of my fav youtube channels. Keep up the good work! :)

[@JohnnyBeGood-88]

Love your channel man

[@texture6]

Careful according to the ATF that’s a readily convertible weapon

[@zack9912000]

Supreme court knocked that bs out

[@DalHampton]

Love your work.

[@o329o]

Love this episode.

[@jlee8348]

Interesting to see some vertical integration at TREX

[@iamscoutstfu]

I think y'alls next step is simulating your value chain(s) and tinkering with them in digital. That'll make adding product lines more efficient in the future

[@WJ_Warpig2024]

Going to watch this with my son. Love the innovation

[@BernardFabswell]

Something I have to know, is the orange/blue shirt standard issue for Australian machinists or are they only required when appearing on youtube?

[@jaydenbrown2852]

Always a good vid from this channel 👌

[@EricSolomon-op8ti]

Loved it. Ty

[@ASkippingRock]

Really really interesting.

[@Kiteboardshaper]

Getting a Kiwi to do your engineering for the WIN!

[@joshwells4280]

They used to use layers of translucent onion paper to mimic transparency

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Yeah! Fantastic stuff.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Ah yes, I also use CAD. Cardboard-aided Design.

[@mattmurphy7030]

As a mechanical/electrical/software engineer, no you did not overthink it. That’s what it takes.

[@yannkitson116]

Nothing wrong with simple stuff :) I just love it.

[@mowermicah7880]

What a great and inspiring video. Thanks for sharing!

[@Model_Student]

Never forget safety considerations when engineering your own manufacturing equipment. Consider an external vendor to perform a machine guarding assessment to keep your employees safe.

[@pa_trickbrandt]

Orrrrrrr have competent employees...

[@theKashConnoisseur]

@@pa_trickbrandt telling the court "but I thought they were all competent and completely accident-free" doesn't usually help much during the lawsuit. It's almost always cheaper to prevent bad things from happening by accident.

[@pa_trickbrandt]

@@theKashConnoisseur Fair enough. I suppose I'm very lucky (even naive) where I work that court-involvement didn't cross my mind

[@NateJFletcher]

​@@pa_trickbrandtTo maintain MSHA certification you must attend a refresher course each year, at the end they review fatal-grams which is every death that occurred in the industry in the last year, and the root cause. And they review the statistics, which are tragically consistent: largely people new to the industry, or people with over 20 years. It turns out humans are really bad at never making mistakes. Like really, really bad. Multiple mistakes an hour is standard for anyone that studies human factors or human performance.

[@garrettb3022]

More engineering videos!!!

[@someolddude7076]

Experience is the one thing you gain, just after you need it, and it’s priceless. Learn some machine shop skills kids. Learn how to fix your own car. Fix stuff when it breaks instead of replacing it. Life is hard, but it’s harder if you’re stupid. Even learning the basics will help keep you from getting ripped off

[@slik560]

So when are you going public? 😎

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Part of reason we can do this stuff is being a privately-owned company, though.

[@nickodysseus]

Don't go public. The minute you do the mission statement goes from "equipping serious citizens" to "make the shareholders more money at any cost "

[@LordSnackx]

I love this video, that CAD program my brain works like that with firearms haha I love taking things apart and I buy a lot of old WW1 and WW2 rifles and take everything apart inspection it and repair anything not 100% good then put it all back together. It is my purpose to maintain history and always working on weapons

[@sionsoschwalts2762]

I wasn't expecting an Aussie

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Wow, who knows, maybe in a few weeks you will be running CANBUS or something... One of the reasons I like to design with STMicro. STM32 on the 144 x144 pin die can do amazing things for a few dollars. It is full of COMM protocols. I had my design for redundant STM driven controllers for a submersible handling underwater comms, undersea audio with sea to air correction, underwater lighting, comms with the tow vessel 450' above, and emergency control over the life support and surfacing control. ABS approved at first glimpse. 4 pages hand drawn, and it sashay's through. I was given 4 days notice to prep the docs for presentation to the American Bureau of Shipping. Sketched it and faxed it to the MIT Grad presenting the sub to ABS. His part failed. They had just doubled the Life support cap. two weeks earlier. Yet it is positively buoyant and tethered to the tow vessel. Project fail.

[@dohabandit]

@16:58 that phoenix connector on that right side OUTPUT PLC next to the input isn't seated properly! I'm an embedded systems / EE engineer.

[@mattmurphy7030]

So what CAD package do you use? I don’t recognize the horizontal + vertical feature tree

[@T.REXLabs]

Fusion 360.

[@TheFriskyComiskey]

Why in the beginning of the video was the shop noise a pre-recorded sample?

[@WHEELZCUSTOMKYDEX]

I would 100% buy one of those heat presses. I thought of something like that in my head. I make knife sheaths

[@StarWarsLoreseeker]

What in the heck are those red flashing lights in the back ground? Skynet?

[@AndysTechGarage]

Didn't know you have a shop in Dublin!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@armorers_wrench]

I'm a CNC machinist/tool maker for a large corporation's engineering firm. Our shop focuses on production intent prototype tooling(that's a mouthful). I have some notes: - Don't neglect your work holding in CNC. Clamps and such can take you a long way and sometimes may be your only option. But having a repeatable setup can be invaluable. Minimizing setup time while simultaneously improving precision is possible with various "off the shelf" solutions such as FCS workholding. Is FCS right for you? I don't know, that's something for you to research. It isn't cheap though. There are other similar solutions available that may suit your needs better. Are you using Solidworks or some other CAD software? What are you using for CAM?

[@ElhadLoshiOutdoors]

Looks like Fusion 360

[@pa_trickbrandt]

@armorers_wrench How would you rate using Solidworks for cad and Alphacam for cam?

[@davekrieger7172]

I saw no PPE for the people working there, as they are exposed to the off-gassing of the plastics when it is heating up.

[@elijah4606]

Not getting cancer is woke. Everybody knows only giga-chad conservatives get cancer.

[@isaacbotkintrex]

We are under the threshold for Kydex.

[@joshberry11]

Part of the reason those hand presses require both hands is for safety, you're much less likely to have your hand in the press when it comes down if it requires both of them to use it. It might seem like an unlikely scenario, but hopefully you've considered all the possible ways your new machine could hurt someone, even and especially if that someone was doing something... not smart.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Everyone is distract-able and Murphy has a way of rearing his ugly head when he can.

[@swift__]

Things have gotten so smart that smart things seem simple. There’s nothing simple about it, sure after you learn and do something and progress in that area then parts of it are simple. And while some people might catch on or understand things easier then other people ( the brain of an engineer for example ) it’s still very much impressive. I always think when looking at , using or building stuff how in the world did someone think of this in their brain, it’s wild. We have a plc guy (Pedro) for some of our machines that require one and it’s crazy once that thing is all wired up and programmed….imho, I’m just a dumb welder😂😂

[@manuelsuda]

American innovation

[@RobertLowery]

Weird side question, what chairs are those in the engineering shop? I have a team that wants new, comfortable, non-mesh chairs.

[@ThePewski]

This video taught me why your holsters cost what they do. Tacticon Armament wont learn anything. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

I stopped taking Tacticon seriously when they made a response video insisting that cheap "offshore" tourniquets were "just as good" as NAR CATs. It's ok to cheap out on a lot of things but life saving equipment isn't one of 'em. Especially not a piece of kit that needs to be high quality in materials and manufacturing to do the job asked of it.

[@makingtechsense126]

Makes me wonder if the next step is injection molded Kydex.

[@ifell3]

Also cost and less waste as well. Even a drill press removes the error 😅

[@AndysTechGarage]

Can your fancy new machine make a holster for p320 with TLR2???

[@slinginleaddownrange223]

Do u guys do kaizens? U can get alot of good ideas from employees who use those tools and sop everyday

[@bonto117]

Good on ya

[@11ccom]

New version of a Bridgeport.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I wished thier holsters would fit my Beretta 92fs and my odd ball bersa 380 pistol. Ive worked in private security and in nursing. Im still carrying both pistols as my edc 😂

[@ArcaneArmoryLLC]

Who left their beverage on the BRAND NEW ELECTRONIC KYDEX PRESS?

[@kentchristen6048]

So, is the solid color button-collar pocket long-sleeve shirt a Botkin Family uniform?

[@AGeekNamedRoss]

Why take up the CNC to make complicated brackets for cable and tube management, when that can be simplified and one with Kydex or 2D cut parts? Always remember that smart people are rarely taught to question the question.

[@NateJFletcher]

I'm not sure what the clamping peasure is, but you could consider a second button for the other hand before the press cycle can activate. That way you dont have operators putting their fingies in the path and losing them. PLCs are awesome, but they reflect a level of investment that you need to reach before they are worth persuing. But never, ever use an RPI. Automation direct is much to cheap and significantly more robust.

[@careyconcealment1008]

Take my Money

[@jicire]

Im glad the answer isnt something abstract like “community”

[@DM-qm5sc]

I only buy the best Organic Free Range holsters

[@ryanburbridge]

Next level of patriotism is USA made by Americans! The patriot front definition lol

[@joshmajor8662]

I had fun Lol 😂🤷‍♂️👍

[@Wigwamwham]

It sounds sad but its a big move for an american company to do this instead of having it made in china. Its not revolutionary but it kinda is for american soil lol. I wish we still had a manufacturing industry for all the stuff we need made here.

[@michaelmammoth1010]

That's not a southern accent!

[@isaacbotkintrex]

It's almost the most southern accent.

[@PhuzzPhactor]

Bump

[@xxxlonewolf49]

!

[@pinkeye00]

Lol ... molding plastic. You can operational that, vs. hiring very expensive engineers to create something. This is domain driven design in tech. Sort of chuckling. This is Pentax in a world of Sony. We engineered it this way because we could vs. we engineered it this way to utilize already existing tech we had and make it cheaper. That's T-Rex for ya. Ah well, at least I was entertained.