IDL Industires (pronounced: ideal) is a machine shop in Northern Idaho. They are a job shop that specializes in firearms parts, but they make parts across several different industries.

• Shiloah Mattoon - CEO

• Cobot Tending
• MES

I started working at IDL Industries half way through 2021. I took this job on a whim because I wanted to learn about CNC technology and gain skills as a machinist. By chance, they were just about to invest in some Universal Robots cobots. Because of my engineering background and familiarity with robotics I was asked to be in charge of automation. I started by replicating their first installation for four more of their CNC machines. After that project was stable, my job title expanded to cover more automation and IT tasks. I currently develop and maintain an in house tool for collecting production data, manage the cobot installations, and handle automated tool ordering. I also do other problem solving tasks when somebody needs to borrow some extra brain power.

I have really enjoyed my time here. I get to work with a great team and they give me a lot of latitude to determine what I do day to day. Some times it feels like they are giving me enough rope to hang myself, but so far they seem pleased with what I have been able to deliver. The varied tasks give me a lot of learning opportunities and ability to directly implement what I learn.