How ACE training helps Taylor Machine Works engineers see manufacturing differently
Sept. 2, 2026 (Louisville, Miss.) – When Isaac Miller designs a part nowadays, he thinks about more than just if it works on paper.
He thinks about the people who have to make it.
“Is it actually realistic for others to work on my part designs?” the Taylor Machine Works design engineer asked.
One of the biggest lessons he took away from America’s Cutting Edge CNC machining training was learning to think more critically about part manufacturability.
“It helps me think about how my designs impact the assembly line and service,” he said.
For Taylor, those kinds of insights matter.
The Louisville, Mississippi-based manufacturer specializes in customized equipment, which means every project brings unique requirements.
“Every customer’s application is unique,” said Matt Hillyer, vice president of manufacturing at Taylor. “They need specialized equipment to fit their needs.”
Meeting those needs requires close collaboration between engineering and manufacturing – and a workforce with the skills to turn ideas into finished products.
Building skills close to home
Like many manufacturers, Taylor is focused on workforce development.
“Because we’re located in a very small town in rural Mississippi, our workforce base isn’t the largest,” Matt said. “For the most part, we try to hire on skilled labor at the entry level and then do on the job training. We need lots of help with training.”
About 30 miles away in Starkville, Mississippi State University has long been an important partner for the company. According to Matt, about 90% of Taylor’s engineers are MSU alumni.
In 2024, the university also became a training hub for America’s Cutting Edge, a national initiative that provides free hands-on CNC machining training.
Through conversations with Ross Smith, IDEELab director and ACE program manager at Mississippi State University, Matt learned more about the program and its benefits to manufacturing companies.
“A lot of the work we do here can help support those companies,” Ross said. “The ACE program helps upskill employees quickly.”
Those who participate in an ACE bootcamp get classroom-style instruction on CNC machining, time spent doing CAM, and hands-on experience with CNC machines, helping them see the process from start to finish.
It was a no-brainer for Matt. Taylor soon began taking advantage of the training.
“It touches on everyone from the design engineers to the machinists,” Matt said. “It’s quality training that gives a benefit to our employees.”
Connecting design, machining and cost
For Taylor design engineer Brewer Vaughn, one of the most valuable parts of his ACE experience was gaining a better understanding of how design decisions affect the machining process.
That perspective can have real consequences on the shop floor.
“It’s intriguing to see how a small change I make to a part impacts the machining process,” he said.
The more time it takes to machine a part, the more costs can increase.
Understanding those challenges earlier in the design process can help engineers make more informed decisions before production begins.
“Time is money,” Brewer said, with a laugh. “If you don’t design a part right, it leads to waste. You’re throwing out money. We want to save the customer money by making the parts as cost-effective as we can.”
For Brewer, the hands-on exposure to CNC machining that ACE provides helped create a clearer connection between what he does and what happens down the line.
A stronger manufacturing workforce
As Taylor looks ahead, Matt says the company will continue using ACE as part of its workforce development efforts.
He also believes other manufacturers can benefit from the program.
“I would encourage any company to participate in the ACE program,” he said.
Get started with the free online training here. Find an in-person training site near you here.
Watch more on Taylor’s story below.