All in Machinist

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.

Red Raider Manufacturing

Red Raider Manufacturing

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
CNC Machining, Collaboration, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Technical Education

The Red Raider Manufacturing program in the Sheboygan Area School District had 1,090 students in the 2021-22 school year. Its mission is to give all SASD students access to the most up-to-date, relevant and exciting learning experience to succeed. The vision of the program is education and industry partnering to turn a manufacturing/technical career into an aspiration. The students in the program are high achieving, proud of what they do, and career ready.

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.

The Eleva-Strum Technical Education Program

The Eleva-Strum Technical Education Program

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Soft Skills, Technical Education

I recently had an opportunity to visit the technical education department at the Eleva-Strum high school. While I was in the shop, there was an eighth-grade class working on manual milling projects, sheet metal projects, welding projects, and brazing projects. These projects that they were making teach the students the fundamental principles of manufacturing. With this class, the students spend six days in each subject area, then they switch to another project. They learn the basics like how to read a tape measure, and how to use a dial caliper.

Eight Considerations That Will Assist in Fixing the Skilled Manufacturing Worker Shortage

Eight Considerations That Will Assist in Fixing the Skilled Manufacturing Worker Shortage

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

With my study into the shortage of skilled manufacturing workers that spanned five years, I discovered a few things along the way. The observations started in 2015 by investigating ways to spark interest in manufacturing careers. I published a 4-page article on my career, and it was promoted by three manufacturing magazines. I also assisted my local youth apprentice program by creating a testimonial video for them. I participated in a career fair and only 1% of the students were engaged in manufacturing. I then decided to observe the industry.

A Classroom Making Parts for a Miniature Steam Engine

A Classroom Making Parts for a Miniature Steam Engine

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Engineer, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Technical Education

A ¼ scale locomotive named the Beef River Flyer operated in Strum Wisconsin from the mid 1960’s to the mid 1970’s. The eight-horsepower locomotive could pull up to 22 tons on a level track. It had four cars, with a maximum of 30 people riding in the cars. It was an attraction that drew in hundreds of riders per year.

12 Considerations That Will Assist in Fixing the Skilled Manufacturing Worker Shortage

12 Considerations That Will Assist in Fixing the Skilled Manufacturing Worker Shortage

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
Collaboration, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

Adapting to the shortage of workers was hard and it is getting harder. In my time as a machine shop leader at a medical manufacturing company the shortage of workers was present for many years before I started to analyze the manufacturing industry. I started looking into the problem by reaching out to students at a career fair in 2016. Out of the 1,000 students that attended the career fair, we found about ten students that were engaged in manufacturing. That one percent of students that were engaged all told us that they had a relative that worked in manufacturing, so they wanted to do the same. It was at that point that I opened my eyes to some of the issues that the industry faces.

Transitioning Into a Machining Career

Transitioning Into a Machining Career

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
CNC Machining, Machining, Machining Interview, Machinist, Machinist Interview, Manufacturing

A manufacturing career was not the first plan for Alex’s career, but he gave it a consideration and a try after discussing with someone close to him. This career change happened in 2017 after he spent several years working in the restaurant industry as a busboy and a line cook. From there he went to technical school for a semester for computer programming, but he cancelled that plan after trying to take nineteen credits in one semester.

What is Tool and Die Making?

What is Tool and Die Making?

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
Apprenticeship, CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, toolmaker

I started my career in tool and die making without having a grasp of what it actually was. Over the years, I have worked with many tool and die makers that said the same thing. I now explain it to people as a tool and die maker makes industrial tools which make parts. There are several main types of industrial tools, they are typically molds and stamping dies.

Explore and Learn About a Machining Career Path

Explore and Learn About a Machining Career Path

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT
CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Soft Skills

Do You Have the Important Qualities for a Career in Machining?

  • Do you have a mechanical skillset?

  • Are you a technical person?

  • Do you excel at math?

If so, consider a career as a Machinist or Tool and Die Maker

What Skills Should a Machinist Have?

  • Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and compute basic trigonometry functions while choosing the right methods to solve the problem

  • Reasoning Ability - Ability to use common sense understanding and solve problems

  • Oral Comprehension - Ability to listen and understand information spoken

  • Computer Literacy - Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Office programs

  • Mechanical / Technical Skills - Must operate lathes, mills, grinders and other computer controlled machines

Machinists make components and parts on computer controlled manufacturing equipment such as a CNC lathe or a CNC mill.

Tool and die makers make tool, die and mold components and other industrial tools on manual and CNC equipment. They also fit the components together and align and assemble the industrial tools.

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