The New Manufacturing: Ted Hall at TEDxRichmond

Ted Hall, founder and CEO of ShopBot Tools, Inc., first got excited about digital fabrication 20 years ago. Ted wanted a digitally controlled tool that would cut plywood parts for backyard boatbuilding projects. In trying to find such a tool, he learned that the CNC (computer numerically controlled) technology of the time was heavily industrial and oriented to high-volume manufacturing. Ted's idea, which would become ShopBot, was to create a digital fabrication tool that was instead oriented to use by individuals and small shops. A tool that took advantage of the technology's capability to cut, drill, sculpt, machine, carve, or trim with high precision and in relation to a digital model -- but that made sense in a small shop for making one object or many, and that empowered individuals through the new technology with enhanced capabilities to express their creativity in projects of all sizes and using a wide range of materials.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@louisclarkeii]

BAM! Awesome ( From Wake Forest)

[@yvonnehyatt8353]

Very good., talk to the bottom up. Thanks.

[@toddbukauskas8804]

ted x

[@themachinist9170]

This is a big opportunity for individuals. Machinist look at automation as a threat. I see it as a huge opportunity. I realized I was making $10,000 a week for my boss and I got paid $2000. I realized I bought him the equipment I was working on and building his legacy for his family. I am dedicating myself to pushing this message. "Build it for yourself" I am a kid from the ghetto that built a spaceship. A spaceship I could have built for a fraction of the price and twice as fast. Our manufacturing industries are full of waste and bureaucracy. The most creative individuals I worked with weren't allowed to create. The mismanagement from people who have never built anything is coming to pass. The person with the skill does not realize what they are worth. Hopefully that changes soon!

[@EdgarInventor]

Neat! :)

[@larrymcgriff1325]

McGriff Motivational Seminars...

[@BurkeLCH]

#TechnologicalUnemployment It's not a bad thing. It's evolution. We need to evolve. No one got mad when we started farming and put the hunter out of work. The hunter was given the freedom to re purpose. I look forward to seeing what humanity does when it steps into a world of abundance that we already have at our finger tips. We only need to step into a new train of thought. Shift the paradigm. Freedom of the future will make the freedom of today seem like a cage.

[@yvonnehyatt8353]

Take the message to the bottom up. Please thanks

[@brandonchase7273]

ted ed

[@rahulbhoir111]

Ted at TED

[@rotgaming5980]

យយយ

[@davidlarson4422]

interesting he says he disliked the original machines he found were far too expensive so he decided to make his own. the SMALLEST machine his company makes is about 10 grand with taxes (not including delivery) and it so small it sits on a bench top. hardly usable. their "real" machines run in that 30k and up frame he hated.

[@stumism]

except it isn't, the machines he hated were 6 figures+ with a welded frame. Only available to the most elite MFG companies. in 1995 when they (ShopBot) started the ShopBot machines were 5-10k and are bolt together/customizable. now even more is available and they are still below 5 digits. Go figure. Most people know nothing about CNC and MFG costs. Also, not sure what you are on about the size of the tools - that's the size of CNC tools..."hardly useable" - this isn't a 3d printer commodity item, the size of these (CNC) tools is never really going to be smaller. WTF are you cutting? Note that ShopBot had been selling one of the most portable machines that cut the size of an envelope (8"x12") for years and it never was something people really wanted to buy (as they seem to no longer sell them)...so yeah. You don't seem to know the industry.