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.
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 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
