Apr 22

Apr 22 Programming a Counter-Clockwise Arc on a Lathe

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining

The code to program a G3 counter-clockwise arc on a lathe is: G3X______ Z_______ R_______

Apr 20

Apr 20 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.

Apr 15

Apr 15 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 10

Apr 10 Three Key Machining Skills That Will Set You Apart

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

Knowing what features to inspect on machined parts, being aware of machining conditions, and what items and details to deburr can make all the difference in the success of the manufacturing project. By mastering these three items, it will set you apart as a great machinist. Let’s review in detail.

Apr 7

Apr 7 CNC Programming Basics

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

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

Each program has a program number, that should be different from other program numbers

Each line of code in a CNC program is called a “Block”. It contains G and M codes in it.
The block cannot have two M-codes in it
The ending of a Block has a End-of-Block symbol and it is a semi-colon. (Example: G1X.5; )

Apr 7

Apr 7 Growing the Lathe Department

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineer

While spending much of my career working in the medical machining industry, it was an education into complex part machining. What is being done today in the machining industry is exceptional. Now a highly engineered part can be made compete in one setup in a machine that can turn, mill, drill, hob, broach, thread whirl, and gun drill parts. I have implemented lathes from 5-axis models up to 11-axis models. Here is a breakdown of what it might take to implement advanced lathes.

Mar 12

Mar 12 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:

Feb 18

Feb 18 What it Takes to Become a Machinist

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Manufacturing, Technical Education

Machining and Tool & Die Making is what I have spent most of my career doing. There is something to be said for being able to turn a raw piece of material into a complex finished part. Through all my roles in the machine shop environment, I have identified a few soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills to have mastered if you want to be a great machinist.

Jan 21

Jan 21 The Basics of Gage Blocks

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Manufacturing, toolmaker

Gage blocks (also known as gauge blocks) are inspection tools that are used in the machining industry. They typically come in an 81-piece set and the sizes in the set are as follows:

Dec 6

Dec 6 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.

Sep 5

Sep 5 Endmills

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

An endmill is a cutting tool that is typically used in a milling machine, or a mill/turn machine. They come in various diameters and lengths, to suit the needs of the user and the application. With that, they typically come in variations with 2-flutes, 3-flutes and 4 flutes. A 2-flute and 3-flute endmill is typically used in cutting aluminum. The 4-flute version is used in milling steel. The versions with 5 to 12 flutes are used in finish cutting steel.

Apr 26

Apr 26 Cardinal Manufacturing Book

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Technical Education

This book is an insight into how to start a student-run business in your school district. It offers a look inside Cardinal Manufacturing in the Eleva-Strum School District. It defines what a student-run business is and lists the benefits of a program like this. Check it out!

Mar 19

Mar 19 CNC Macro Programming Basics

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineers

We will cover the basics of Parameter programming. The concepts learned can be applied to many CNC projects and can be used in small shops and large shops alike. In G Code, macro programming variables are assigned values and when they are referenced and called they provide the last value that they were assigned. Some ways that variables can be used are for machining part families and for modifying work offsets and tooling offsets.

Mar 12

Mar 12 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.

Feb 27

Feb 27 What to Do When a Client Rejects Your Parts

Paul Van Metre

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

Your company tries SO hard to make everything perfect, but occasionally, something slips through the cracks, and you send some parts to a customer that get rejected. It’s not a fun situation, and it can be like a gut punch, depending on how expensive the mistake is. How you handle it from the customer’s perspective can make all the difference and even potentially turn a bad situation into a positive experience. Customers know that mistakes will happen, but how a vendor responds to them can put your relationship on the chopping block, or solidify your position in the partner category.