Backdraft MFG

06/12/2025

When the National Guard unit across the street needed a custom bracket to mount electronics in one of their vehicles, we jumped at the chance.

• Measured
• Designed
• Built
• Installed

All in short order. Proud to support those who serve, one bracket at a time.

06/02/2025

3D printing technology has come a long way in the last twenty years. It has moved from expensive machines and limited use cases to machines that can be had for a few hundred dollars and can replace traditional manufacturing methods.

Here at Backdraft, we offer add-on services that many traditional print farms cannot. Whether it is design, load testing, or material analysis, we have you covered. Contact us today to see where 3D printing can have a benefit in your shop.

05/29/2025

The value of reducing strain, improving weld quality, and speeding up production never goes out of style.

Our Applications Engineer, Mike Lougheed, wrote a tech article last year on the benefits of a lift and rotate positioner and it’s just as relevant today as it was then.

If you’re still wrestling parts into place or relying on overhead cranes for every flip, this one’s worth a read:

I’m going to start off with a question for you. What items do you include when figuring out the cycle time of your process? Most people would include the easy things like part load time, weld inches, and assembly steps. Fewer consider items like part manipulation time and time wasted doing work ou...

05/27/2025

The Age-Old Battle: Value-Added vs. Non-Value-Added Time

In every manufacturing shop, there's a constant struggle: spending time on what makes money versus what doesn’t. Customers will gladly pay you to weld a joint or bolt two pieces together, but they won’t pay for the time spent rotating a weldment into position or hunting down the right wrench.

That’s where process improvements come in. By reducing non-value-added time, you can make sure more of your team’s effort goes toward work that actually generates revenue.

Backdraft can help. From our custom lift and rotate positioners to application-specific lift devices, we offer tools that streamline your workflow and eliminate wasted motion.

Contact us today for a free process evaluation. Let’s find practical, cost-effective ways to ensure your team is working smarter, not harder.

05/21/2025

5 Affordable Automation Upgrades for Small Shops

When most people think of automation in manufacturing, they picture robots. And while Backdraft can absolutely help you begin your robotics journey, we know that a robot isn’t always the first — or best — step for every shop. Fortunately, automation comes in many forms, and there are plenty of affordable ways to increase efficiency without going full-scale robotic. Here are cost-effective and easy to implement automation upgrades to make life easier for your crew and boost productivity.

1. Simple Pallet Systems – Allows you to quickly change out tools, spending less
time on setups. If your machine isn’t making chips, it isn’t making money.

2. Tool Presetters – Measure your tools before the get loaded into the machine.
Same benefits as idea #1, chips equal money.

3. Pneumatic Part Clamping – Pneumatic clamps can reduce load/unload time on
your weld fixtures. They can also fit in tighter locations and are easier for the
operator to use. All equate to saving money and increasing throughput.

4. Conveyor-Based Part Handing – Near effortless way to move product from one
process to another. No need to wait for a forklift of a material handler.

5. Add PLCs to Fixtures – PLCs can open up fixtures to automatic and sequential
clamping, part presence sensors, and additional safety measures. Additional
competition in the supply chain has brought prices for PLCs and HMIs to a hard
to pass up price.

Automation isn’t just for big shops; it’s for smart shops. Let Backdraft help you evaluate your processes and identify practical upgrades that improve throughput, reduce labor strain, and increase safety.

05/19/2025

Got a great example of a purpose-built lift device here.

This one uses features of the part itself to speed up attachment and removal — much faster than using standard straps.

At Backdraft, all our lift devices are designed in CAD, stress-checked virtually, and load tested after fabrication to meet ASME B30.20-2018 and ASME BTH-1 standards.

✅ The right tool for the job
✅ Keeps your team safe
✅ Keeps OSHA happy

Have a lifting application that needs attention?

Let Backdraft help you get it right.

05/15/2025

Why Small Manufacturers Should Embrace Automation

Automation isn't just for large factories anymore. Small and medium-sized shops can benefit from implementing automation as well.

• Compete on Quality: Consistent, accurate parts every time
• Solve Labor Shortages: Let your skilled team do more with less
• Start Small: Affordable tools make automation accessible
• Improve Quality & Traceability: Fewer errors, more data
• Future-Proof Your Shop: Take on higher-value work with confidence

At Backdraft Manufacturing, we’ve seen firsthand how the right tech can transform a shop floor.

Thinking about adding automation? Let’s talk.

05/09/2025

On today’s Fixture Friday segment, we have this specimen. When you have large, heavy parts that need to be held accurately, there is no replacement for thick steel, and lots of it.

05/06/2025

Made in America Means Built by Shops Like Yours.

Reshoring has been a hot topic in manufacturing circles — and a lot of the headlines focus on big companies spending billions to bring massive production lines back to the U.S.

But the real impact?

It’s going to come from the small and medium-sized shops.
The ones who roll up their sleeves and get it done — supporting the big guys, strengthening local supply chains, and keeping communities strong.

At Backdraft Manufacturing, we’re here to help.
Whether you need a game plan for how your shop can contribute or the tools to make it happen, we’re ready to work with you.

Reshoring starts small — but it builds something big.
Let’s get to work.

Check out this blog post to see what reshoring means and who needs to step up to make it happen! https://www.backdraftmfg.com/post/reshoring

02/18/2025

🚨 We're Hiring: Setup Machinist! 🚨

Backdraft Manufacturing is looking for an experienced Setup Machinist to join our team! If you have CNC setup experience and a passion for precision, we want to hear from you.

📍 Learn more and apply here: https://jobs.ourcareerpages.com/job/933441?source=ccp&key=

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them below! 👇

01/03/2025

Glad to help bring concepts to reality for all clients, not just for manufacturing! Thanks Midwest 911 Cars, Inc.!

Check out this 2024 Chevy Tahoe PPV Admin Package upfitted for Rock County Sheriff in southwest Minnesota. Featuring a Whelen Core package, Havis VSX Console...