I currently live in clouds
Virtual and private computing clouds for very large enterprises.
I automate stuff in them using agile and DevOps (aka automation).
I also co-conspire on the Meetup: OpenStack for Enterprises NYC.
I run my manufacturing stuff on the side (and almost all of this stuff is used and I retrofit for my amusement):
Just got a:
ShopMaster Patriot VFD CNC with DRO with Gecko 540 control (2012 model with X axis at bed center).
To add to my:
Freaked CNC Seig X2 3 axis mill,
MaxNC lathe with tailstock, and MaxNC 4 axis mill(s) with tailstocks and probe.
Already had
2 LPKF Protomat 92S PCB mills.
A CNC router table which can be used for drilling, milling and
plasma cutting with
SuperPID spindle control.
2 manual rotary indexing tables.
14
3D printers (RepRap and me are old friends).
Enough
IAI actuators to build 15 XYZ chassis.
5 NEMA 23 driven XYZ tables that with ACME screws that came out of military surplus.
A pile of
Mitsubishi servo motors I use for CNC and general robotics.
A complete
electronics shop (surface mount and pick and place).
Rotating table 3D laser scanner.
Powder coating equipment and
long wave IR heat lamps (large).
Hobart MVP210 MiG welder on cart.
Hobart LX235AC/160DC stick welder on cart.
An
Evolution RAGE3 saw.
A
horizontal band saw with hydraulic retrofit.
A pile of
RotoZip tools.
An
oxy-fuel setup.
A
RobinAir vacuum pump for my HVAC work, my vacuum forming and
VIM forge.
My actual propane and charcoal forges are stored right now.
A
30" bend brake.
A
12" shear, slip roller, brake.
A large double boiler for reforming machine wax.
A 1 gallon ultrasonic cleaner.
2 Large drill press (one Craftsman one an old cast round column kit from my Father).
1
2 HP 10 gallon California Air Tools air compressor.
1 80 gallon air compressor driven with a 8HP electric more and a Harley Davidson V-Twin engine.
1 old Craftsman 5 gallon air compressor.
Various machine and workbench vises and anvils.
3 generations of my Family's hand tools (including stuff to shoe horses).
Working on a 40W-60W laser cutter next with a proper exhaust system.
Working on replacing my TiG welder.
Working on adding a few more tapping accessories both at MORT and at home.
Software:
Rhinocerous I was in the Mac OSX Beta got a nice discount
MSDN
BobCAD
HSMWorks
(This could go on for pages I have been working in computers professionally since before I was 10 years old...)
Educational robots:
1 RoboRIO AndyMark chassis with hi-grip wheels, Nav-X, pneumatics, Talon-SRX ESC, Axis and Logitech cameras.
1 cRIO 4 slot AndyMark chassis with hi-grip wheels, pneumatics, Talon SR/Victor 888/Black Jaguar ESC and 2CAN.
1 cRIO 8 slot custom 80-20 chassis with hi-grip wheels, chain drive w/custom sprockets on sliding assembly.
A couple of
TeachMover robotic arms.
2
RB5X robots.
I also do a little IoT on the side:
DragonBoard 410C
Intel Edison
Arduino Yun
Raspberry PI 2
Computers:
I have the better part of a stock exchange mainframe in one garage right now (400 68360 CPU on VME).
2 Mini computers.
An old VAX that is just visiting on the way to a museum.
Part of my old PDP11.
MacMini, iMac 'gumdrops' and an older PowerPC.
Commodore 64/128 I still support software on.
Amiga 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 the 4000 has the complete VideoToaster non-linear video editor with Lightwave.
A few hundred x86 PCs (laptop and desktop).
Printers:
2 HP inkjet plotters up to F size.
1 HP E size pen plotter.
1 HP C size high speed pen plotter.
3 Epson All-In-One office printers.
1 Epson R1800 13"x19" plotter with ink kit suitable archival use.
In short - I work -
a lot!
I also part the technological junk pile.
Which means I am literally a digital janitor.
Now I just a need a roof over my mostly portable makerspace's head.
(This should somewhat answer the question how a managing director at a major financial institution knows manufacturing.
You know with my Associates Degree from a Community College.
When I tell people I used to make weapon systems for the military - I don't mean I had parts made in China
)