Machining.Blog® is a weekly blog focused on manufacturing career development. It features blog articles on the fundamentals of manufacturing for aspiring machinists. Our goal is to create an interest in manufacturing in the USA. Our writer Matthew Schowalter has worked in manufacturing for 24 years, and he covers the topics that matter to someone starting their career in manufacturing.
“The soft skills the machinist uses are the unseen tools in their box and can directly impact the success or failure of a dreamed after machining career.”
All in Machining
Many machinists prefer to stay on the shop floor, where their skill and craftsmanship transform raw material into precision parts. Remaining in a hands-on role does not limit career growth; you can continue to advance, increase your earnings, and gain respect without stepping away from the machines.
In the world of machining, precision isn’t just a goal, it’s the foundation of the craft. Whether you’re working in a high-tech CNC shop or tinkering in a home garage, the right tools are the difference between a flawless part and a costly mistake. But with so many gadgets and gizmos on the market, how do you know which ones are truly essential?
The shop floor hums before the sun is fully up. The air carries a faint scent of machine oil, and the rhythmic clatter of metal on metal is already underway. For a precision machinist, the day doesn’t just begin with a clock-in, it begins with a mindset: accuracy above all else.
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.
A cobot can add a lot of value to the manufacturing process in a machine shop. It can increase the productivity of the CNC machine, while also contributing to process accuracy and consistency. Cobots can be easy to program and are safe to use.
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; )
Across the country, educators are searching for meaningful ways to prepare students for life after high school. At Cardinal Manufacturing in Strum, Wisconsin, that preparation is at the core of their mission. The program’s primary goal is to equip students with the technical skills, confidence, and strong work habits that employers look for, such as professionalism, communication and responsibility.
Precision machining is the process of removing material from the workpiece and holding a tight tolerance and finish on the part. The process of removing material from the workpiece is usually done with computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines.
There are fifteen parameters to be considered when analyzing a new part to be made in a CNC lathe. While this may seem like a lot of considerations, if you examine a part properly you will be successful in its implementation. Here are the parameters to consider and the questions to ask:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Cardinal Manufacturing in Strum Wisconsin is a school-based manufacturing program that operates both as a class and a business as well. The students gain real world life experiences while enrolled in the program. These experiences include problem solving and working in professional roles.
