I have worked for manufacturing companies as an IT support in the past and always been interested to know about the process in which a piece of raw material is cut into a desired final shape and size.
Getting in the shop, working with the material, and try to meet that standard,
it gives me the whole new appreciation and experience of what I am making.
Learning by doing it is the most essential experience because it integrates theoretical what I learn from the classroom with the practical how it is done.
To become a good machinist, you need to have a good process plan which can be defined simply as a strategy of steps needed to perform a machining operation or operations. Process plans establish the steps needed to answer these questions: What machine or machines will make the part? What tools will be used in those machines to make the part? How fast will those tools and machines operate to make the part? Also you need to have good technical skills which are those can be learned and improved with practice. Many are the "hands-on" abilities that you need to have in order to become a good machinist.
- CNC Operators: are often filled by entry-level employees who require little prior knowledge of machining.
- Conventional Machinists: or manual machinists are highly skilled workers. Training through associate degree programs is often needed for these jobs.
- CNC Machinists: are very similar to conventional machinists except that they possess the skills of both the set-up technician and the operator. Training for CNC machinists begins like that for conventional machinists, but also requires additional training in CNC applications.
Every career requires certain skills for success, and careers in the machining field are no different.
- Mechanical Aplitude: is a combined mental and physical skill. This skill is critical in the machining field, as they are many relationships occurring at the same time between machine tools, cutting tools, and the materials they cut. The talent to assess many factors and predict results is very important for success in those machining jobs.
- Manual Dexterity and Eye-Hand Coordination: describe the physical ability to precisely control hand motions. This occurs during hand tool and machine tool operations.
- Focus and Concentration with Attention to Detail: Because of the high-precision nature of machining, even small lapses in attention can lead to large errors and huge losses of time and money. To become successful in the machining industry, the machinists must have a high level of concentration.
- Persistence and Patience: Machinists must take the time and precautions to make sure that the work is done correctly. There are many tasks that take long periods of time to complete.
- Personal Responsibility and Reliability: Machinists must strictly meet specifications and ensure that final products are correct, so it is necessary for a person to take ownership of his or her own work.
Here are some of the CNC turned parts that I have done in the shop:
- 0.25-20 HEX NUT
- 0.375X1.75 SOCKET SHOULDER SCREW
- 0.375-16X0.75 HSBHCS-IFI-BROACH
- 0.5-13X2.25 DOUBLE END STUD
- 0.531-18 INTERNAL THREAD
- 0.625-18 HEX JAM NUT
- 0.625-8 INTERNAL ACME THREAD
- 0.75-10X2.0 SQUARE-HEAD SET-OVAL
- 0.75-10X2.25 HEX-CAP-SCREW
- 0.75-10 HVYHEXNUT
- 1.25-7X8.0 HEXBOLT
Company culture is also very important because you are more likely to enjoy work when their needs and values are consistent with you. If you work for someone who recognize and appreciate your hard work or somewhere where the culture is a good fit, you'll tend to develop better relationships with others and be more productive and successful.
Today, the manufacturing industry continues to grow, and the field is in need of skilled workers who are trained and knowledgeable in their trade. Many of the products made by CNC machinists are things we use today. The career of CNC machining is challenging, but that is part of the excitement. Every day of your hard work brings tangible results. You must know how to operate the machinery and read blueprints. Operating large lathe and milling machines and other tools safely are crucial. Accuracy and efficiency are key components of the CNC machining as well.
EXPERIENCE
CNC Machinist
Houston, Texas
2021 - Present
- Knowledge of G-code programming and program formats for CNC milling machines and lathes
- Knowledge of SolidWorks and MasterCam
- Write, test, and maintain CNC programs
- Ability to select proper tooling for CNC machining operations
- Ability to read prints and instructions
- Capable of set-up and operation of CNC machine tools equipped with XYZ controls
- Skill in the use of semi-precision and precision measuring tools
- Perform lathe operations such as facing, turning, knurling, threading, drilling, grooving and boring
- Perform milling operations such as squaring, drilling, reaming, boring and tapping
- Calculate and set controls to regulate machining factors such as speed and feed
- Edit programs on machine to maintain tolerances related to material movement and tool wear
- Operate both manual and CNC milling machines and lathes safely and accurately to manufacture items based on specific instruction to meet requirements
- Operate carts, dollies, hand trucks, pallet jacks, and forklifts to move large quantities of merchandise
- Use a CNC lathe with live tooling features like axial and radial holes, flats, grooves, and slots
- Machine a range of metal from brass, low carbon steel, stainless steel, steel alloy, hastelloy, monel and inconel for turned parts
EDUCATION
Houston Community College
Houston, Texas
Associate of Applied Science in Machining Technology in December 2020
