The Roboticist Chronicles

ARC Specialties

Automation improves people's lives. Allowing ‘bots to do the dirty, dangerous and monotonous work lets people be safer, more efficient, and work on more creative endeavors. Find out all the ways how on The Roboticist Chronicles, an ARC Specialties podcast. Listen Notes

  1. 12/10/2025

    Breaking the Rules: Off-Label Robotics, Desert Racing, and the Future of Cladding

    In this episode, host Dan Alford welcomes back Nathan Sumrall, Welding Engineer at Superior Cladding, for a deep dive into the creativity required to survive and thrive in modern manufacturing. Nathan reveals how his team "tricks" standard robotic systems into performing complex, "off-label" applications—like welding massive conical parts with explosion-bonded Monel—that the machines were never originally designed to handle. Beyond the shop floor, the conversation shifts to the high-octane world of desert racing. Nathan shares stories from his side hustle, "Good Mayhem Racing," and discusses how building race trucks for the Baja 1000 parallels the problem-solving skills needed in welding engineering. From diversifying Houston’s economy beyond oil and gas to revising the American Welding Society’s handbook, this episode explores how the next generation of engineers is redefining the industry. Key Topics Discussed: "Off-Label" Automation: How Superior Cladding used an ARC 5i system (designed for bores) to successfully weld complex cones and long-radius elbows. The Science of Dissimilar Metals: Technical insights on welding Monel to steel using nickel buffer layers to prevent hot cracking. Good Mayhem Racing: Nathan’s passion for desert racing and how he applies engineering principles to build race-ready Toyota 4Runners. The "Replacement" Myth: Why robots handle the "dark, dirty, and dangerous" jobs to upskill workers rather than replace them. Diversifying Manufacturing: Moving beyond the "oil patch" into aerospace, defense, and marine sectors (including submarines and icebreakers). The LeTourneau Legacy: The shared educational roots of Dan and Nathan at LeTourneau University and the philosophy of "no big jobs, only small machines." Guest Bio: Nathan Sumrall is a Welding Engineer at Superior Cladding in Houston, Texas. A graduate of LeTourneau University, he specializes in corrosion-resistant alloy welding and parametric programming. He creates custom solutions for the oil and gas, aerospace, and defense industries and currently chairs an AWS committee revising the handbook on clad and dissimilar metal welding.

    41 min
  2. 09/18/2025

    Engineering on the Edge: Learning from Failure with Jaxon Baker

    In this episode of The Roboticist Chronicles, host Dan Allford sits down with mechanical engineering student Jaxon Baker, a repeat guest on the podcast. Jaxon, a rising senior, discusses his involvement with the Formula SAE and Baja SAE programs, which Allford considers to be highly valuable extracurricular activities. The programs allow students to gain hands-on engineering and design experience by building race cars from raw materials. Jaxon shares details about the Baja team's successful season, which included bringing home the first Baja trophy in A&M program history after a third-place finish in the acceleration event. He also discusses the team's "catastrophic failure" during the endurance event, where the back half of the chassis sheared off due to fatigue. Both Dan and Jaxon highlight this failure as a crucial learning experience that can't be replicated in a classroom setting. Looking ahead, Jaxon talks about his new role as suspension lead for the Formula team and their plans to innovate with a decoupled suspension system. The team is also preparing for an invitational competition in Rome, and their goal is to win a ninth national title. The conversation also touches on Jaxon's career aspirations, his shift in focus away from professional automotive racing, and the reasons for it, including the desire for a better work-life balance and a more performance-focused design role. He also discusses some of the classes he is looking forward to, including a compressed air systems class and an automotive engineering class. Want to learn more? Support the A&M Formula team by visiting their website or social media pages to learn how you can help them reach their goals for the upcoming season.  Have a  Link ECU, or  dampers you'd like to donate? The team is in need of sponsorships for their upcoming season.  Contact Jaxon here.

    31 min
  3. 02/04/2025

    Weld Testing & Quality Control with Welding Consultants LLC.

    Join us for an in-depth look at Welding Consultants, LLC., a leading provider of welding inspection and nondestructive testing services. In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Brinkman, VP of Operations and Senior Welding Engineer, to  explore the company's history, delve into the intricacies of various testing methods, and discuss the critical role of quality control in ensuring the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure. Key Highlights: Learn about the different types of nondestructive testing techniques, including ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, and magnetic particle testing.Discover the importance of destructive testing in qualifying welding procedures and ensuring the integrity of critical components.Witness the advancements in technology, including the use of CNC machines and automated micro-hardness testers, that have revolutionized the testing process.Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the welding inspection industry.This video provides a comprehensive overview of the essential role played by Welding Consultants in ensuring the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure across various industries. Join us for an in-depth look at Welding Consultants, Inc., a leading provider of welding inspection and nondestructive testing services. In this episode, we explore the company's history, delve into the intricacies of various testing methods, and discuss the critical role of quality control in ensuring the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure. ----------------- "Welding Consultants LLC is unique in the welding and quality assurance industry because it is the first organization directed by degreed and licensed welding engineers. Supporting WC’s engineering effort are qualified NDE technicians who provide a full range of quality-related services. From welding and specification design through in-process QC to final quality verification, WC provides the customer with a myriad of services—all from a single source." Welding Inspection and Nondestructive ExaminationMechanical Testing of WeldsSpecialized Testing ServicesProcedure and Performance QualificationWelding EngineeringTechnical Training and Training Aids

    37 min

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Automation improves people's lives. Allowing ‘bots to do the dirty, dangerous and monotonous work lets people be safer, more efficient, and work on more creative endeavors. Find out all the ways how on The Roboticist Chronicles, an ARC Specialties podcast. Listen Notes