All in CNC Programming

Giving A Technical Education Class Presentation

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.

Becoming a Career Machinist

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.

CNC Macro Programming Basics

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.

What to Do When a Client Rejects Your Parts

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.

Don’t Let Tribal Knowledge Kill Your Shop

Don’t Let Tribal Knowledge Kill Your Shop

Paul Van Metre
CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineers

Tribal knowledge can be a killer. For a smaller, stable company not on a growth path, it probably isn’t the worst thing ever – unless you lose one of your long-term employees who is the only one that knows how to do a lot of things. Certainly for any company that is on a more dynamic path for growth, adding new customers, more employees, or is concerned about losing that knowledge of a key employee it can be a major problem. Having your companies’ processes and procedures be locked in the brains (and only the brains) of your employees can be very difficult when you lose someone.

Starting a Career in CNC Programming

Starting a Career in CNC Programming

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
CNC Programming, CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineers

I recently had an opportunity to interview Phil Brown and Umair Riyas from NexGenCAM about how to begin a career in computer-aided manufacturing or CAM. They are applications engineers that specialize in CAM software. Phil and Umair have extensive backgrounds in CNC and CAM/CAD, they offer a few tips to others who may be interested in starting a career in the field.

Remodeling A Student-Run Manufacturing Facility

Remodeling A Student-Run Manufacturing Facility

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
Apprenticeship, CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Engineers, Soft Skills, Technical Education

Cardinal Manufacturing is a student-run manufacturing program in the Eleva-Strum high school. They recently finished a 10-month remodeling project in the machine shop and classroom. It was a complete remodel which included the ceiling and walls being repainted. They chose a red and white color scheme for the rooms, halls, and manufacturing equipment.

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