Sep 8

Sep 8 What is Production Machining?

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Precision Machining, Production Machining

Production machining means making a lot of the same parts with great accuracy. Factories use machines like CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, Swiss machines, and multi-axis turning machines to do this.

Jul 21

Jul 21 Giving A Technical Education Class Presentation

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Apprenticeship, CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Collaboration, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Soft Skills, Technical Education, Worker Shortage

I was provided with a few opportunities to talk about my STEM project and my career in several schools. It can be a very rewarding experience to a part of. I never saw myself as a speaker or presenter but with my deep knowledge in the subject, I developed a passion for sharing my experiences in manufacturing.

Jun 24

Jun 24 17 Reasons to Upgrade Your Shop Floor to Paperless Manufacturing

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Engineer, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineers, Professional Engineer

When people hear the term "paperless," they typically associate the elimination of this office resource as an act that helps the environment. And while this is true, adopting a paperless manufacturing solution can do so much more. In addition to promoting a more sustainable business, going paperless can decrease operating costs, enhance productivity and help a shop floor work smarter (and not necessarily harder).

Jun 22

Jun 22 Becoming a Career Machinist

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Manufacturing, Soft Skills, Worker Shortage, Machinist

Machining is by far more interesting than what most people know. From the challenges of implementing new complex equipment in the shop, to CNC programming, or even making complex parts in one setup. It is definitely a career choice that most don’t know how advanced it can be, especially the machining of today. Now, we can make parts in one setup that were once made in many setups on multiple pieces of equipment over a long time frame. My career is a success story in manufacturing technology as I have embraced the technology of today.

Jun 17

Jun 17 How To Fill a Small Machine Shop with Work

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

Starting a machine shop can be an overwhelming task. There are many factors to consider while keeping it running efficiently. Besides the operational tasks, we have broken it down on what it might take to have a steady stream of work in your machine shop.

Jun 9

Jun 9 Creating More Student-Run Businesses in Schools

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Soft Skills, Technical Education

Cardinal Manufacturing in the Eleva-Strum School District in Wisconsin is a student-run manufacturing business that has repair services, welding services, woodworking services, machining services, design services, and 3D printing services.

Jun 2

Jun 2 12 Ways to Collaborate Within the Community About Manufacturing

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Collaboration, Machining, Machinist, Worker Shortage

Communication and collaboration are important in the manufacturing industry. If we want to grow the industry, we need to keep up on the communication and collaboration. We must Communicate, Collaborate, and Connect and do it on a Consistent basis.

May 27

May 27 Popular Machinist Tools

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

When I got started in machining, I really didn’t know what kind of tools to purchase. There is a vast variety of tooling to use in the shop, from inspection tools to hand tools. While having a limited budget, I had to choose to first buy the tools that I thought that I would use the most. This will vary from machine shop to machine shop often dependent on the type of work that the machinist does. Here is a list of some of the more popular choices for tools:

May 21

May 21 A Tech Ed Program That Teaches Professionalism

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Soft Skills, Technical Education

I recently had an opportunity to work with the technical education program at Eleva-Strum School District in Wisconsin. The project that I had for the students was to modify a few parts for a mechanical clock. It was an amazing experience to be greeted at the door by a student and the student gave me a great handshake. The technical education class teaches these soft skills to the students, starting in seventh grade.

May 11

May 11 Six Reasons Manufacturing Is a Smart Career Choice

Erin Luke

Machinist, Machining, Worker Shortage

In today’s competitive job market, more people are looking for careers that offer stability, good pay, and room to grow. Modern manufacturing is a high-tech, fast-evolving field that plays a critical role in the global economy. If you're weighing your options, here’s why manufacturing is a smart career choice.

Apr 14

Apr 14 What is CNC Machining?

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

CNC is an acronym for Computer Numerical Controlled. CNC is a type of machining practice. Besides CNC the other type of machining is manual machining. In CNC machining the workpiece is held in the machine and the CNC Programmer writes code so that the CNC machine can machine the workpiece. The CNC Machinist sets up and operates the CNC machine and oversees the machining process.

Apr 10

Apr 10 The Basics of 1-2-3 Blocks

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

My first project in technical collage for tool and die making was to make 1-2-3 blocks. I milled the blocks oversize to leave stock for precision grinding. After drilling and tapping the holes in the blocks, we case hardened them. The last process was to precision grind them to size. The grinding process involved both grinding to blocks to size and to a squareness tolerance.

Apr 2

Apr 2 How Manufacturers and Schools Can Work Together

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Collaboration, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Worker Shortage

With the shortage of manufacturing workers in the United States we must start to investigate the situation closer to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow. Besides the worker compensation, benefits, work environment, and career development topics that may influence career decisions in manufacturing, we should now look closer into the following topics.

Mar 18

Mar 18 Machining a Great Career Path - The Steps to Success in Manufacturing Technology

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

When you ask what machining means to me, I could go on for hours with stories about how I made complex parts on machines that are even more complicated than the parts themselves. Machining is by far more interesting than what most people know. From the challenges of implementing new complex equipment in the shop, to CNC programming, or even making complex parts in one setup. It is a career choice that most do not know how advanced it can be, especially the machining of today. Now, we can make parts in one setup that were once made in many setups on multiple pieces of equipment over a long-time frame. My career is a success story in manufacturing technology as I have embraced the technology of today and here is how I made it happen with six simple steps in career success.

Feb 24

Feb 24 Cardinal Manufacturing Overview

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Machinist Interview, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineer, Soft Skills, Technical Education

Cardinal Manufacturing is a student-run business in the Eleva-Strum High School. In a student-run business the students are responsible for all aspects of the business. It is a custom job shop that makes machined parts for community members and people throughout the country. Check out this video on the program.