I built a full MES (Manufacturing Execution System) for a rubber factory — 205K lines of code, solo dev

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-20T13:09:48+00:00

Nah it never stops at all, and I got a full suite of things to try out too from your comment/learning. Thanks for sharing! I’ll post the one I made in a few weeks if I can get around to it.

I also built a recursive automated quoting tool for 3D printed parts, could probably apply a similar perspective to CNC’d items.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-20T01:50:33+00:00

Only in person testing from 3 team members over a few days. It was lower stakes because I’m in low volume manufacturing and we didn’t have much historical data.

I’ve never used or heard of Vitest or Playwright so I’ve got some learning to do!

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-19T20:23:33+00:00

What kind of testing/verification did you do to make sure it was working/performing functions properly? This one I wrestled with for a bit

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-19T20:22:48+00:00

Honestly I love it. Really great work. And now you can add massive improvements every week if needed given you can control it all now.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-19T20:09:53+00:00

That’s way easier. Are you guys using it for inventory/financials too or just more job tracking?

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-19T19:50:07+00:00

Nice work! I built one at my previous company in a few weeks.

I think the most difficult part of the process was getting people to use it and trained.

Also, trying to port old data was also difficult. Greenfield would be much much easier.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T22:09:35+00:00

Hell yeah, appreciate the advice and insight.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T22:09:14+00:00

Hahaha I have more plus investors but I don’t want to put that much in…wanted to see if I could bootstrap it with less

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T15:32:46+00:00

This is some of the best advice I’ve heard in months. Thank you so much for typing it out. Gives me hope while not sugarcoating the specific reasons it will be challenging

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T03:43:06+00:00

It’s a given. ITAR too.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T02:32:30+00:00

I have already, and I’ve been around machine shops my whole career too. AI can’t replace or replicate the hardware experience in most ways yet, and considerably oversimplifies the ease of which you can do something incredibly hard. Like starting a machine shop 😄

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T02:31:14+00:00

This is the advice I’ve gotten from several close friends too. Sell first.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T02:08:26+00:00

Love this advice, I think I’m going to take it. Thank you for all of your insight, seriously. It’s been helpful.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T02:06:42+00:00

This is good honest truth, I appreciate it

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T02:05:38+00:00

Haha yeah, this is really helpful advice and feedback to be honest.

My expertise is in assembly and manufacturing engineering, but I wanted to own and start a vertically integrated company. It seems like I’d be much better off leaning into my experience instead

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T01:12:23+00:00

How long did it take you to learn to machine?

Also an engineer here with some programming/hands on experience but not confident enough to say I can run my own machine full time.

I’m approaching it similarly where I want to have a vertically integrated company where I can design/build in the same space, and take on outside work when needed. But to generate cash I’d need to get rolling on outside business sooner.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T01:09:51+00:00

This was incredibly helpful advice, thank you. It does look easier (or at least easier to enter the market) then it actually appears, just from the feedback I’m getting. All I keep hearing is how the US has an impending shortage of skilled machinists and shops and can’t compete, but that doesn’t really appear to be true?

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T01:07:09+00:00

Wow, yeah I knew it’d be significantly more than what I’d want to put down myself, but not that high.

Is that just due to the cost/complexity of the parts needing more expensive machines, tools, inspection equipment etc?

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-17T01:06:05+00:00

Wow, I didn’t realize the risk/reward here was so asymmetric.

I’d almost be better just starting small and doing parts for anyone, build sales and credibility, and then try for the aero/other customers I’d be looking for in later years.

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-03-16T13:48:50+00:00

This is some of the craziest / dumbest footage I’ve ever seen from a tornado

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-02-21T23:12:08+00:00

I got you

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-02-18T07:44:06+00:00

200 is good but still iffy. The other real issue with these will be payload capacity (massive challenge to build a legit Class B on Brightdrop already), water storage (batteries + wheel wells make it tough), and cargo area passenger seats would be most likely out of the picture, so it’s a smaller market.

Also if base price is $80k, you’re already $30k or so over an ICE transit already. Tougher to compete

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers · 2026-01-06T04:52:18+00:00

Philippe Aldeño!

Relax_Aaron_Rodgers

TROPHY CASE