Manufacturing Momentum
Manufacturing Momentum
Podcast Description
Manufacturing is evolving fast—are you keeping up? I’m Justin Schnor, and on Manufacturing Momentum, I talk with industry leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers about the tech, trends, and strategies shaping the future of manufacturing.
No fluff—just real conversations to help you stay ahead. Let’s get into it.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast emphasizes a range of topics including automation, advanced manufacturing techniques, and workforce development. Specific episodes explore themes such as the impact of robotics on job roles in welding, rapid prototyping innovations in foundry production, and the transformative potential of open-source 3D printing. The show also touches on market dynamics, like the challenges faced by manufacturers amid talent shortages and supply chain issues.
Can a normal guy learn engineering — not from textbooks, but from the people who live it?
That’s the challenge.
I’m Justin Schnor, and I’m setting out to learn how the world is actually built — one factory, one robot, and one engineer at a time.
I’m diving headfirst into the world of modern manufacturing — where technology, creativity, and human problem-solving collide.
Along the way, real engineers are teaching me their craft: how to think, design, and build like they do.
👊 Because learning how the world is built might just change the way you see it.
How can a defect smaller than a human hair cause an aircraft system to fail?
In this episode of Manufacturing Runs The World, Justin Schnor sits down with Tessa Axsom, Product Marketing Manager at Fictiv, mechanical engineer, manufacturing expert, and metallurgy enthusiast.
Tessa shares her unique journey through aerospace manufacturing, metallurgy, CNC machining, product development, failure analysis, and advanced manufacturing.
One of the most fascinating stories from this conversation involves a microscopic defect measuring only ten microns that affected a critical electrical contact used in an aircraft communication system. The investigation revealed how an incredibly small manufacturing issue could have enormous consequences for an entire aerospace system.
This episode explores:
• Metallurgy and the science of metals
• Aerospace manufacturing challenges
• Failure analysis and root cause investigations
• Why small defects create major system failures
• CNC machining and manufacturing processes
• Product development and prototyping
• Manufacturing innovation
• Engineering careers
• Mentorship in manufacturing
• Why hands-on experience matters for engineers
• Design for manufacturing principles
• The future of advanced manufacturing
ABOUT THE GUEST
Tessa Axsom is the Product Marketing Manager at Fictiv and a mechanical engineer with experience in aerospace manufacturing, metallurgy, CNC machining, finishing processes, product development, and failure analysis.
hroughout her career, she has worked on aerospace components, medical applications, manufacturing processes, and engineering investigations involving material performance and failure mechanisms.
ABOUT FICTIV
Fictiv is a global manufacturing and supply chain technology company helping innovators accelerate product development from prototype to production.Fictiv supports customers across aerospace, robotics, medical devices, consumer products, industrial equipment, and advanced manufacturing through a global network of manufacturing partners and engineering expertise.
FEATURED GUESTS
Tessa Axsom — Product Marketing Manager, Fictiv
Featuring: Rachael Brownell — Content Marketing Manager, FictivWhile Tessa leads most of the conversation, Rachael joins the discussion representing Fictiv’s content and manufacturing storytelling efforts.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Tessa Axsom
00:38 Why Manufacturing Is Misunderstood
01:15 Engineering, Marketing & Manufacturing
02:30 Falling In Love With Metallurgy
03:13 What Metallurgy Actually Is
03:44 Investigating Manufacturing Failures
05:20 The 10-Micron Aircraft Defect
06:41 Why Tiny Defects Cause Huge Problems
07:02 Working Across Aerospace, Robotics & Medical
08:13 Helping Innovators Build Products
09:41 From Idea To Production
11:31 Why Companies Switch Manufacturing Partners
12:14 How Fictiv Supports Different Industries
14:00 Mentorship For Young Engineers
15:00 Why Hands-On Experience Matters
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A Big Thank You to our Sponsors!
🔹 Ellison Technologies
Ellison Technologies empowers manufacturers with advanced CNC machines, automation, and expert support—helping shops work smarter, faster, and more competitively.👉 https://ellisontechnologies.com
🔹 GSC – 3D & Automation
GSC is one of the nation’s leading resellers of SOLIDWORKS CAD software and Markforged industrial 3D printers, empowering engineers and manufacturers with cutting-edge design, simulation, and additive manufacturing solutions.👉 https://gsc-3d.com
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