Aug 21

Aug 21 Machining Terms to Know

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing

There are many terms to know and understand in the machining industry. If you are just getting started in the industry, we have designed this list to better prepare you for the job.

Aug 15

Aug 15 We Can Solve the Skilled Manufacturing Worker Shortage

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

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

Over the last 5 years, I have been observing the manufacturing industry worker shortage. The drastic change that I have seen over my 24-year career is alarming. While most industries change over time, I believe the changes that are happening to manufacturing are more than that. We are in a worker shortage crisis.

Aug 12

Aug 12 Which Machine Shop is for Me?

Bethmarie Leannah Simons

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Interview Questions, Machining, Machining Interview, Machining Questions, Machinist, Machinist Interview

So, you have finished your education, either in high school or post-secondary trade school or both, and you are ready to find that machine shop meant for you. Many people do not take compatibility into consideration when completing their job search, but they should.

May 20

May 20 CNC Machining Process Planning - 25 Considerations

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, CNC Programming, Machining, Machinist

When planning a CNC machining process there are many considerations and options to choose. From cutting tool selection to cutting parameters, the choices have a major effect on the end results. Here is what it might take to define a CNC toolpath:

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 16
Apr 16 Cardinal Manufacturing Open House Event

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

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 manufactures parts for community members and people throughout the country.

They are having an open house event on May 8th, 2024, from 4pm to 9pm. Come checkout what makes this program so great!

Jan 15

Jan 15 Machine Shop Math

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Technical Education

How we are taught how to pronounce a measurement in mathematics class is different from how we pronounce a measurement in machine shop class. In the following chart, I will break down the decimal place pronunciation of 0.123456.

Oct 6

Oct 6 3D Printed Mechanical Clock Video

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Additive Manufacturing, STEM

This mechanical clock in the video was made with over two dozen 3d printed parts. It has brass bushings and steel shafts. It was inspired by a mechanical watch design, but the parts are laid out in-line and scaled up six times larger than a mechanical watch.

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.

May 8

May 8 Communicate, Collaborate, Connect, on a Consistent Basis

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Manufacturing, Worker Shortage

If you work in the Manufacturing Industry chances are you have seen firsthand how the skilled manufacturing worker shortage affects your job. When there are more people retiring and less new people coming into the field, it can have negative effects on the industry. I have looked into the worker shortage crisis since 2015, and I came up with a phrase to help fix the shortage, “We Must Communicate, Collaborate, Connect, on a Consistent Basis”. I call it the 4-Cs of manufacturing.

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.

Feb 1

Feb 1 Egg Drop Challenge – A Simple Solution

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

Makerspace, STEM, Egg Drop Challenge

The egg drop challenge is a great STEM activity. There are many ways to build a device that may win in an egg drop challenge. We will cover a very basic way to possibly win. This solution was tested at a 15-foot drop without failure. There are three items needed for this experiment, a large plastic container with a lid, a roll of toilet paper, and a large egg.

Jan 16

Jan 16 Ask A CNC Machining Question

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

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

Please fill out the form to ask us machining questions.

Jul 29

Jul 29 The Student-Run Business Teaching Model

Matthew Schowalter, CMfgT

CNC Machining, Machining, Machinist, Manufacturing, Soft Skills, Technical Education

While recently attending a workshop on starting or growing your school-based enterprise at the school district of Eleva-Strum in Wisconsin I discovered that they have great model for their student-run business. Their program, Cardinal Manufacturing teaches soft skills and employability skills along with learning the technology.

Jul 24

Jul 24 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.