Machinist.org

Does The Emergence of CNC Machining Mean More Or Fewer Jobs For Machinists

CutNPolish — Thu, 27 May 2010 03:51:09 +0000

I was just scanning the Monster.com jobs board for machinist jobs / listings by using their search box and the search word “machinist”. I was pleased to see more than 1,000 job listings for “machinists”.

Looking at the listings I saw numerious openings referring to CNC. I saw fewer specific references to “manual machinist”, but there were still plenty. It’s not yet an “all computers, all the time” machining world.

Which raises an interesting question: If we have “machines doing it” does that ultimately mean that there will be less demand for machinists, OR, by having more work performed “by automation” might that drive down production costs and increase demand for machined goods and machinists to handle the production?

Also, has automation of machining leveled the international production playing field by decreasing reliance on manual labor? In other words, as automation of production increasingly takes hold, will vast pools of cheap labor eventually fail to yield a “production advantage” . . . when labor becomes a less dominant cost per units of machined goods produced?

This is likely “big labor market math” but it’s certainly an issue I’d like to better understand.

Will automation of machining enable “rusk belt” States in the USA to re-emerge as machinery manufacturing centers? What do you think? Is automation an boon or a bust for the skilled trades in countries where labor costs are traditionally higher?

Torchmate CNC Wins Prize – For Prettiest Receptionist

CutNPolish — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:46:59 +0000

You can always tell when a company takes pride in its product, its services and its employees and I think Torchmate CNC Cutting Systems deserves a tip of the hat for hitting high marks on all three counts: pride of product, pride of service and pride of employees, and from what I can observe the faces of the employees would indicate that they feel good working for Torchmate.

But, I just gotta tell ya, although I know that receptionists are often a matter of a company “putting its best face forward” I was not expecting to see Monica, whose image in linked to, but not visible, on Torchmate’s “About Us” page. (To see Monica you gotta click the “Receptionist” link.)

Whatever she’s selling I think I’m buying . . by the container shipment.

Now, really, I know that a good receptionist needs all manner of skills – people skills, communication skills, anger management skills, etc. – but it doesn’t hurt to have an idea of the face behind the voice on the phone.

Since I’m a bit up there in years I gotta tell ya that “Rachel”, whose image is linked to under the “Marketing Department” link, is also easy on the eyes. Of course, we’re talking about my eyes.

I hereby award the Prettiest CNC Machining Systems Receptionist of the Month prize to Monica.

If you care to nominate the receptionist of your favorite machining related business for future consideration please post the relevant information below here in the comments section. Unfortunately, to deter spamming, we require registration to post.

Video of CNC Maching of a Motor Block

CutNPolish — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:26:27 +0000

Alrighty, mabye it’s just the time of day but do you ever get the feeling, when watching CNC machining in operation, that it’s a Matrix-like case of “machines building machines”?

Here’s a video of the CNC machining of a motor (engine) block. The machining of the engine block actually occurs in the second half of the video:

CNC Machining of Engine Block

Vo-Tech Precision Machining Program Marketing

CutNPolish — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:07:21 +0000

While I’m on the topic of using video to market machine shop services here’s a little side trip to demonstrate how video is being used to promote a vo-tech’s precision machining educational program.

Take a look at this video, produced by or for the Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School’s precision machinging program. It’s less than 3 minutes but in that short time, via some fast-cut edits, audio and various other camera work the school is able to effectively convey the following:

The Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School’s offers a 3 year precision machinging program that can lead to jobs as a

Machinist
Automotive machinist
CNC machine tool operator
CNC set up person
CNC programmer
Maintenance machinist
Mould maker
Die Maker

It’s a “project based program”, which presumably means that the student learns by hands-on doing that mimics real production in a machine shop.

The programs first year include learning basic measuring, layout, drilling, sawing and lathe-work.

The second year includes milling machines and surface grinders, heat treating materials and work with new materials.

The third year includes computer numerical control (CNC) programming experience and working with computer aided manufacturing software. This includes time spent in the schools computer lab using their PCs to design CNC projects.

Machining Videos And Online Machine Shop Marketing 101

CutNPolish — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:42:37 +0000

I just came across these four short videos at Sertec Precision Machining:

CNC Machining Center (CNC_Machining_Center.MPG 2.8MB)
CNC Mill (CNC_Mill.MPG 1.5MB)
Lathe (Lathe.MPG 1.36MB)
Automatic Feed Cutoff Saw (Automatic_Saw.MPG 1.36MB)

The four videos, found at the link above, offer a non-narrated close up view of what is presumably equipment running at the Sertec machine shop.

As anyone with any mechanical savvy and skill knows, getting the job done right is often a matter of having the right tools for the job. In this case, when it comes to the future of machine shop marketing, your toolset will need to include the hardware and software necessary to deliver messages about your company over the Web via text, images and video.

Kudos to the company for taking the first step of adding video to their site. The videos are nothing fancy, and it might be better to host the videos elsewhere (YouTube.com, Vimeo, etc.) where the display options would be greater, but like everything else it’s a start. It probably took a bit of “sure, I/we can do that” courage by one of the Web savvy machinists . . or their or the owner’s son or daughter. . or it took a savvy website designer to convince the owner “it’s time to advance our marketing strategy”.

Demand for Machine Tools Reported Rising as Global Economy Improves

CutNPolish — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:10:28 +0000

China New Agency (CNA) is promoting a trade show featuring precision machines and machine tools in Taipei, China, citing the event organizers report of a “rising demand for machine tools and equipment due to the improving global economy”.

The Taipei CNC Machine Tool and Manufacturing Technology Show, known as MT duo, was to take place at the Taipei World Trade Center. The show includes local and foreign exhibitors according to TAITRA.

Taiwan is the world’s fourth largest exporter and fifth top importer of machine tools according to TAITRA, behind Japan, Germany and Italy in terms of precision machine manufacturing.

The rise of the green energy and light-emitting diode (LED) sectors, along with the strong rebound in the automobile, semiconductor, liquid crystal display, and electronics sectors, has increased the demand for machine tools, their statement said.

More Jobs for CNC Machinists

CutNPolish — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:56:41 +0000

GreenvilleOnline.com is reporting that the majority of job openings at a recent job fair were for CNC machinists.

Bosch-Rexroth’s Fountain Inn (South Carolina) facility primarily manufactures external gear pumps (hydraulic pumps) for earthmoving equipment.

Compensation for CNC machinists was running $18 to $19/hour, plus eligibility for benefits, including comprehensive medical, dental and vision care, 401-K, pension, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and education assistance.

Bosch, as many of you know, is a global brand with a reputation for quality. Bosch provides a job search on their website, but when I just checked it I couldn’t pull results for jobs in the USA.

Now if only precision machinists were better at building websites . .

New 7 Axis CNC At Canyon Hydro Fabrication Center

CutNPolish — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:39:49 +0000

Canyon Hydro has announced it completed a major expansion to its manufacturing facility, including a 7-axis CNC milling machine capable of maintaining extremely tight tolerances on Canyon’s hydroelectric turbines. Canyon Hydro is now the only turbine manufacturer in North America with the capability to deliver this level of accuracy on Pelton turbines.

Their new CNC fabrication center is located in Washington State, a few miles from Canyon Hydro’s primary fabrication plant in Deming.

The new CNC center makes it possible for Canyon Hydro to machine all surfaces of its Pelton and Francis turbines with great precision. Canyon’s Pelton runners are typically milled from a single, stainless-steel casting. Canyon Hydro also rebuilds turbine systems for existing hydroelectric projects.

The 7-axis CNC machine can accommodate components up to 36 feet long, 16 feet in diameter, and 25 tons.

“With this investment, Canyon Hydro has set the highest standard for turbine quality,”

said Richard New, vice president of manufacturing for Canyon Hydro. “Tighter tolerances translate to better turbine efficiency, which goes right to the bottom line for our customers.”

CNC machining eliminates the minor imperfections that result when turbines are hand-ground to match a series of templates. Each of those imperfections, however small, impacts the efficiency of the turbine. With CNC, every curve on the turbine precisely matches design specifications. Canyon Hydro’s new CNC fabrication center is the latest in a series of investments that has propelled the company to become a leading supplier of turbine systems under 25 megawatts.

In addition to the 7-axis machine, the new facility houses several smaller CNC machines for milling other turbine components, plus a fully-equipped computer lab for design and modeling.

Canyon’s CNC fabrication center began operating in March 2010 and is now fully integrated into the Canyon Hydro manufacturing process. It is currently undergoing certification to meet AS9100 quality management standards.

Guaranteed Jobs For CNC Trained Machinists

CutNPolish — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:38:26 +0000

Perhaps another sign of an economy in recovery: A community college offering skilled-trade job training with a money back guarantee.

A local news station has reported that Lansing Community College (Michigan) was offering applicants to its skilled trade training program a money back guarantee, essentially guaranteeing that their students (in this case it appeared to be CNC machining trainees) the guarantee of a job . . or their money back.

Now I suspect that it’s a pretty safe bet that the school has done its research and may even have job offerings already lined up. Before the meltdown of the US automotive industry Michigan used to be synonymous with coal and steel and manufacturing, so maybe MI is ready – or readying – for a manufacturing renaissance.

Andy Rooney and Machinists Versus Blackjack Dealers

CutNPolish — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:25:16 +0000

Generally, I’m neither a fan nor a critic of Andy Rooney’s commentary on CBS’s show “60 Minutes” but everyone once in awhile I think the gets things just about right.

The other night Andy, whose job I guess is to be provocative, dropped this little word bomb:

There’s only so much money in the world and if it’s lost at a gambling table, it’s money that isn’t spent on things America makes. I mean who’s best for this country – a machinist at an automobile plant in Detroit or a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas?

Source CBSNews.com

I don’t know about you but for my money’s worth the US of A has been investing a bit too heavily – almost exclusively – in its “finance industries” for the last 2-3 decades and not nearly enough in its manufacturing sector.

So score one for Andy for putting it succinctly, if not politically correctly. The US most definitely needs to recapture jobs and market share in the manufacturing sector.

More jobs for machinists! More industries employing machinists!