Bear Iron Works – Weekly Operations Meeting Minutes August 18, 2025

1. Safety

  • A test with the 3-yard concrete washout tub highlighted instability in the prototype spinner design.
  • The single-point spindle caused twisting under load, raising safety concerns.
  • The project is paused until a new lifting method or redesign is identified.
  • No injuries or incidents occurred.

2. Quality & Warranty

  • Updates on removable grizzly rock screen hooks are pending until the CNC/plasma table is operational.
  • No additional warranty issues were reported.

3. Production, Materials & Equipment

  • Inventory: One 1-cubic-yard concrete washout tub remains in stock.
  • New Product Launch: The Mini Excavator Blade Loader Bucket has been added to Fulcrum and Shopify under the product name Bear Paw. Final product weight is still being recorded.
  • CNC/Plasma Table Progress:
    • Machine is powered, computer communicates with the table, and controls are responsive.
    • Issue identified with limit switches; troubleshooting continues.
    • Requires a Hypertherm OHMIC sensing ring for torch height control.
    • Priority fabrication task once operational: hooks for Grizzly Rock Screens. Legacy CAD files may be recovered to avoid redrawing.

4. Team Needs

  • Sales Attribution:
    • Several orders came through direct sales, online checkout, and repeat customers.
    • Shopify shipping quote selections remain problematic since mandatory options cannot be enforced. A workaround will be developed.
  • Bill of Materials & Routing:
    • Skidsteer Snow Pusher BOM and routing are missing. To be completed.
    • Don to source a preferred vendor for poly blades (instead of Amazon).
  • Weights Needed:
    • Mini Excavator Bear Paw Bucket (second build).
    • Snow Pusher, with and without backdrag blade.
  • Yummy will enter finalized BOM and routing data into the system.

5. Old Business

  • No items reviewed this week.

6. New Business

  • Custom Equipment Inquiry: Royal Imaging (Wyoming) requested a high-capacity snow bucket for a Cat 966H loader.
    • Target capacity: 6–8 cubic yards.
    • Construction modeled after the Skidsteer Snow Pusher, scaled for loader application.
    • Challenges include back panel bending limitations (may require welding sections or outsourcing bending), reinforcement fins for light materials, and custom coupler specs.
    • Preliminary design and bill of materials to be drafted for pricing and production analysis.

Action Items

  • Provide BOM and routing for Skidsteer Snow Pusher.
  • Record weights for Bear Paw bucket and Snow Pusher (with/without backdrag blade).
  • Draft design and BOM for Cat 966H snow bucket (6–8 CY).
  • Order OHMIC sensing ring for CNC plasma cutting table.
  • Source vendor for poly cutting blades for snow pushing attachment.
  • Assist in retrieving CAD/design files.
  • Troubleshoot CNC plasma table limit switch errors.
  • Support Ty on snow bucket material specifications.
  • Coordinate entry of BOM/routing into the system.
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