A production method where automated machinery runs continuously without human operators on the floor. The term comes from the idea that a factory can literally turn off the lights and climate control to save energy, since robots and automated machines do not need them. It is typically applied to off-shift hours or highly repetitive, high-volume machining cells.
Heard on the job
We've the new CNC cell set up for lights-out machining over the weekend, so just make sure the bar feeder is fully loaded before you clock out.
Insider tip
True lights-out manufacturing requires extremely reliable scrap management, automated tool wear monitoring, and fire suppression systems, as there is no one around to catch a machine jam.