I started out as a cnc operator/trainee. Did that for about 6 years, and have been programming cnc's full time for the last 7 years. Just wondering who else on cnczone works in manufacturing.

Been in the trade since 1975. Started on the burr bench. Started programming about 10 years ago. Been a full time programmer using MasterCam for last 7 years

15 years machining 5years programming one yearmanufacturing technician

6 years in shipping/recieving.
5 years of set up, and operating. I also handled all tools for the shop, ordering, organizing, and stocking.
It was real nice always haveing the exact tool I wanted for the job.
3 of those years I was the assistant programer.
I am currently the inspector.
I still program every now and then, maybe two or three times a week.
Mostly I inspect and make the process sheets to go along with our jobs.

took machining in HS since i was 16, made stuff for freinds in garage (Hotrods!) for about 10yrs, became auto mechanic 10yrs, then machinist/cnc operator for 2years, opened business its been about 7 years and now have lots of toys (10 machines!). ITs been a rollercoaster ride though! We are currently going up hill :D waiting for the next down turn saving our penny's.

wouldn't trade it for anything!

worked weekends and summers sweepin chips n drilling holes at age 12 in my fathers shop quit school at gr 10 and worked at the shop conventional machining and taking the crap load for the shop machinists and welders.went out west and took on a shop foreman job at a fab shop machining came home and managed his shop for three years or so then bought it and have had it for 3 yrs now and still machining i love the job. I just bought my first cnc mill last week and this is how i found this site i think its great to share help and learn thanks a lot

I do all 3. Wouldn't accept anything else ! In our shop most operators don't

1 year at the machine shop, a few years in my own shop. I am the only one there who knows how to run cam programs :eek:
other than that its a sweet shop.

Jon

Hi Guys
I started as an fitter and turner on a 4 year Apprentiship. 2nd year i was programming c.n.c. lathes. 4 years running them. Then went into production planning for 2 years only (could'nt handle sitting on my butt for that long :D ).
Back out onto the floor as a programmer and planner with 7 c.n.c. lathes and 1 Vertical machining centre. Spent the next 8 years in that postion.
My company them brought out their main compediter and i spent 1 year getting their machines up to speed, before they brought them over to our main factory and sold off the old one. Stayed for another year and then left to the place where i are currently working.
I now run a Okuma MB56va machining centre, Fanuc wire cutter and Surface grinder and have got back onto the tools. Small toolroom in a company that has started to make their own press tools. Got out of the production side of things and now know i should of done it years ago.
Now programme with Mastercam and love it. ;)

Cheers Darren

My machining career started 20 years ago on conventional mills & lathes and I still machine with the same Tree tool & die mill and Cadillac engine lathe. I started programming, setting up and running CNC machines 10 years ago when I started my own shop. In addition to machining and programming I do a lot of cad work. And I'm also the master broom pusher.

Hey darren,
Welcome to the zone!!
Good to see you here.


PEACE :D

Most of my work involves program, setup and running of the cnc. Sometimes i need to design/redesign first then do progamming, setup and running of the cnc. I build my own jigs (i hate other people's jigs & fixtures, LOL!). Then sometimes i have to do project management on the stuff i source out.....

Started out taking Machine Shop in High school and working in a local shop after school running turret lathes.

Went to Northeast Missouri State and got an 2 year certificate in Machine Tool Tech.
and a B.S. in Industrial Occupations.

Started working for an Aerospace Subcontractor in 1985 as a machine operator running 5 axis profilers.

Promoted into the NC Programming department in 1987. Been programming for 5 axis
profilers using N.C.L. ever since.

Started machining as a "wee lil' boy" of about 8 yrs old in the '70s at Grandpa's shop (aerospace and government work). Ran a Cincinatti lathe. Couldn't even load some of the parts since they weighed a little more than half of me (at the time). Have a picture of me (about 9 or 10 yrs old) standing on a Bridgeport table, hunched over with one hand on the draw bar, the other holding on the tool (I was doing a tool/collet change).

Got into die working, switched to CNC (tape readers), programmed lathes, then switched to VMs and HMs around '85 or '86.

Being a military brat (and not one to stay still in one area), I've machined in 3 continents, 6 countries and 4 states...... I still haven't got it all figured out. :rolleyes:

Never will, but, always looking to learn new things,.... There's always a 'better' way to do something 'tomorrow' than the way I did it 'today'.

:cheers: :cheers:

I took every machine shop class I could in High School and started working as a machinist in a family owned business that speciallizes in custom N.D.T. (Non-destructive Testing) systems. Been here for 16 years and now I am the machine shop supervisor, not to mention shop welder, machinery repairman, building maintenance man, among many other things. ;)
We don't have any CNC in the shop yet so I built my own CNC Router just so I could get the experience in programming and operating a CNC type machine. Since I have worked here I have taught myself how to weld, work with AutoCAD, design and all that other good stuff. I find the best way to learn something is to just do it. Never been one for going to school and sitting in a classroom. CNC is just the next challenge I want to learn and be skilled in.



Carl :D

I started out in a mold shop and went through the Tooling and Manufacturing Association's apprenticeship program. I started out on the manual mill and worked up to precision grinding. I had the opportunity to go to a model shop and learn CNC. Now, ten years and a few shops later, I am programming and running CNC machines making high quality prototype models. I have met a lot of CNC programmers and operators and it has been my experience that the ones that have a solid foundation in manual machining are the ones that excel in CNC.

I currently work for a large production shop, making parts for the semiconductor ind,
running the weekend shift, I do setups,run, program, program testout and repair for other programmers, the industry is good paying, but has a wide up and down volume
many or or parts are now going to China
this is my 4th job in 4 years.
would ultimitly like to get into a custom auto/motorcycle manufacturing

I started a tool & die apprenticeship 23 years ago working on manual Bridgeport’s & LeBlond lathes. I then went to school for CNC programming. After graduation, I enrolled in an internship and eventually employment, programming and operating vertical and horizontal machine centers and lathes (Producing mostly missile & military aircraft components). After seven years in the metal working industry, Military budget cuts and downsizing of larger companies had me looking to local production woodworking. I went to work for a production furniture company (1200 employees) as a CNC programmer, sub assembly & fine mill supervisor and eventually production engineer. During which time I was programming for the company’s CNC routers, CNC lathes, and CNC double end tenoners, a CNC twin spindle 5 axis router, and CNC point to point machine. After 16 years of that, I decided to start my own shop working out of my 3-car garage. I’ve been in business for 2-1/2 years, and I’m in the process of moving into to a new 5,000-sq. ft. building I recently purchased. At this point I only own 2 CNC Routers and a CNC Vertical machine center, I’ve also been speaking with my local Mazak dealer about getting a CNC Lathe. I’ll see what kind of deal I can work out. And I can say that “Yes, I do it all”.

I started out on a Warner Swasey 4A turrett lathe 25 years ago. Then took over as an Inertia Welding machine operator.Took a brief 3 year leave, thought I wanted to work in sales, BIG mistake. Came back. Learned to run engine lathes, mills, surface grinder then CNC. Ran production for an oilfield manufacturer for several years, learned programming. I am now a supervisor over the CNC department. We have 9 CNC lathes and 1 CNC mill. It's been a wild ride! I still enjoy the machine work when I get the chance to do some. The supervising pays more but not as much fun.

Started programming in 1974 in N/C equipment with paper tape. Programmed till 1986 and was strictly a manufacturing engineer till 1993. Moved into purchasing. Returned to school and just received my BS in manufacturing engineering technology. I've programmed horizontal lathes, 2-spindle vertical lathes, vertical and horizontal machining centers, punches, combination punch/plasma, 4-head plasma machines. I did lots of manual programming and Compact II computer assist and Equinox. In school I programmed water jet cutter and EDM. Used Mastercam.

I am a third year college student, 2nd year of my mechanical technician toolmaking program and graduate of a 1 yr pre apprenticeship tool and die makers program. im currently an entry level cnc operator, i run lathes most of the time, but i also run the Fadal VMC4020 from time to time. Im goin for my general machinist apprenticeship as soon as i can get my school out of the way so taht i can get my basic and intermediate tradeschool exemptions (already have basic). i did do a fair amount of cad/cam in school, although i do have access to Mastercam 9, solidworks 2004, and autocad 2004 on a daily basis, so i keep workin on those whenever i can find the time (nightshift operator), Im in the process of building a mini 4axis vmc (hopefully one day ill be able to figure out a decent way to make an ATC, but until then im just focusing on the 4th axis... haha

I started as a machinist an manual lathes in 1979. I've been through a gambit of CNC lathes and mills since 1981. I've operated, setup, and programmed primarily multiple turret and spindle lathes, some milling in there, until about 1995. During that time I worked with an Anvil 5000 cad cam system, wrote post processors and a DNC program to transfer programs to and from the machines. I was sentenced to management in 1996 and still deal in CNC problems and solutions on a daily basis as an operations manager. Now, I primarily make sure the machines are running at projected efficiencies and, if not, figure out a way to make it so. What I'd give to be back running a machine where all I had to worry about was myself and what I was running ..... and making the money I make now of course!

Started in High School Metal shop. Worked in a Mold shop for awhile on a Taurus Duplicator, then went into a Die Shop as a "Small Machine Operator", sold shoes at the mall for a spell, sold some cars for awhile, back into machining in a small fab shop, then on to Uncle Sam. Tried to join the Army as a Machinist, ended up an Infantryman. 8 years of humpin and jumpin Airborne Ranger style, for the last 5 years I have been working in the Custom Firearms Shop for the Army Marksmanship Unit. Amazing how the machining knowledge just hides, never lost it. I now run, set up, program and maintain a VMC and a Turning Center. Use Master Cam alot, what a life saver there! I also teach basic and advanced machining night courses at the local Tech College. And I still sweep up my own chips!!!

I did my apprenticship in the mid 80" as a fitter and turner then in the mid 90's started on cnc's with a colchester cnc 350 then onto a tornado 200 @300.Then i went onto machining centers hitachi seiki,doosan,and okuma alwasy done it all thats the way i learnt to do it. and i think there is some merit to that as you can teach most people to operate them and just push the go button ( we had a mechanic working a tornado fo a while) but programming takes a lot more.When i was shown cnc's 3 days training from scratch on programming and it is all yours.The colledges over the last year in brisbane have just started running cnc courses for opperators and programming which i think is about 5 years to late and i wish i could have done some in the 90's.

kerry

After 2 years community college basic machine technology courses, 1975 started working in my 1st machine shop, manuals (not to many CNC machines in those days). When CNC became more common, I knew this was my thing, jumped on board. Machining has been a good career for me, rewarding in many ways. Went back to school to study CNC programming, in those days it was APT (ugh), when there was no PC based CAD/CAM. Man, I don't miss those days...

Rather than be redundant here, let me just refer you to this thread:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11136

Are we havin fun yet?

I started out about 15 years ago as an operator. Moved on to setup, with about 2 years of gibbs programming. Right now I have moved on to Quality Control for my company, but I still get out in the shop and do some setup and programming.

Started as an "errant thin feature removal specialist" (burr bench) 20 years ago;
came up through conventional lathes and mills, programming, engineering, design, ultimately mfg manager.

Started learning to programme (in house) in my 3rd year of apprenticeship in '92.
4th year they let me loose on the vmc's and vertical borer.
A few other jobs over the years as programmer/operator.
Found another job later supervising a small shop with 2 lathes and 2 vmc's. After 5 years (3 more lathes, 2 more vmc's) I nearly went crazy programming everything, setting everything, running, planning, consumables etc,etc.
I have a cruisey job now with 3 Okumas and a Haas, basically to myself.
I found this site a few days ago and with some help from KIWI, I've done my first bit of 3D machining (I've never used any cam software).

I took the first year of manufacturing engineering, from there I took a year of machine shop which allowed me to take the second year of toolmaking afterwards. I have been employed at the same machine shop for the past ten years where I was fortunate to learn from some the best people I have ever met. For the past three years I have been programming CNC machines using Virtual Gibbs.

I started out at a company that makes the "Ridgid" brad tools about 10 years ago. I trained on some old Besley feed through grinder. I stayed there for 7 years working my way up to a Mazak Multiplex, and Palletech systems. At the end of my 5th year I was running, and program editing a Cincy Maxium 600 on a chronous cell (often called a CINCRON Cell)

Now I work for a medium sized company making Linear Motion Products. I am the Lead Machinist of 5 guys. I have 2 (soon to be 3, I hope) Citizen machines and Soon to be 3 Daewoo Machines, and A Studer ID/OD Grinder. Between all of us we Program, setup and run jobs.

Hey guys,
I started out about 17 years ago on manual machines. As I progressed in the trade, I saw things swinging to the CNC side. So I convinced my boss to let me start programming. I started out on FeatureCam and have evolved at my current job to Mastercam. I program, setup and operate. I also program for some of the other guys in the shop also. I guess I have gotten spoiled, because I don't want to touch a machine anymore, that does not have a computer attached to it.

I guess I have gotten spoiled, because I don't want to touch a machine anymore, that does not have a computer attached to it.


I second that!!!! I dont want to touch anything that isn't cnc either!

:-)

I started my apprenticeship as a fitter and turner in 1957, and have never regretted my Dad's (!) choice. Started CNC programming on a Bandit controlled Excello milling machine in 1977. I've been using Mastercam since its DOS days, version 3 if I remember rightly. That all makes me pretty old, but at least I can bask in the glory of being a guru!

I start back in 1975 on capstans ward 2 & 7's, I then moved on to flash memory auto's were you had to turn all the buttons to thier positions and press another button to memorise the positions. The next big thing was peg boards after a couple of years I was trained to program CNC lathes and have never looked back, but I still do alot of work on manual lathes and mills. My main job now is programming and setting 2 CNC lathes, one will have a runner and on the other I will be doing 1 off's or prototypes. This is in a subcontract company so I get lot's of veriety.

started running CNC machines after i got my associates degree in machine tool technology in 2000
started playing with the programming software when boss wasn't looking
and went from there he is no longer there and i do all the programming.
surfcam 2005, solidworks 2005, autocad 2000i

.

I started machining about 2 years ago at a linear motion manufacture as an operator on cnc lathes. I now set up,program, and operate up to 6 machines(Omni-Turn, Miyano LZ 1 and 2, and Deawoo Puma 300). All are Fanuc control which I program the long way, by hand. I don't think we do difficult parts to any seasoned machinist but it has really help me understand the basics. I have a good nember of co-workers to help me along with my quest too. I mostly face-turn-bore and groove aluminum and stainless steel. I found this site by looking to further my own knowledge of cnc on my own time. Looks like I have found a great wealth of knowledge here and look forward to learning alot.
Thanks for your time,
Jared

I started out in '78 as a Chip Sweeper in a ballbearing plant. Ended up working on New Britian and Conomatic screw machines, until the company filed for bankrupcy, due to increased imports. I didn't get into CNC work until 1985 working on Traub Turning Centers. Then I worked for 10 years as a toolmaker using a Maho doing Die work until the plant moved to Mexico. Now I manage a shop with 4 fadals and 6 machinists.
I want to go back to sweeping chips next, but I can't pay my bills that way anymore. :tired:

I am a female who did not get into this field until college. I was majoring in Drafting and Design, wanted to be a residential designer, I had a teacher that saw my true interests, he was saving the "shop" program. When I started all he had was a CNC router table and a computer in a small room. One year later he had that router, a CNC plasma cutter, a HAAS mill and lathe amoung other countless manual machines. I had a blast learning. I program now for a machine shop (CNC lathes and mills and waterjets) doing government work using Mastercam, Fabriwin, Omax, and Solidworks(<-fun!!). I also do process travelers and engineer flat patterns for sheet metal parts. My biggest problem is finding a job close to where I live. I travel over 60 miles each way to work everyday. I live in the city and work in the country! The way gas prices are now I wish I could find something closer!

I worked in the tool/mold industry and completed a 4yr apprenticeship.Have been running/programming horizontal and veritical mills for about 12 yrs now.I do my own setups and about fifty percent of the programming is right off the prints.Its all 2d work and every job is different.I use a lot of user macros to do repetitive tasks.We have just gotten camworks so I wont be doing much mdi programming anymore.I found this site by accident and am interested in building a cnc router/mill. I have the programming skills and the machining background and also do a lot of woodworking and have a decent shop in my garage.What I dont have is the electronic background and the skill set that goes with it.I'm amazed at what I have seen on this sight and the can do attitude of the members here.Its very inspiring.

I started out tearing things apart and trying to see what made them tick. Not always worried about getting them back together. Unless of course it belonged to my Father! Heheh! Having a compulsive bit of intrigue on anything mechanical or electro-mechanical I found all shop classes a big play ground for a young mind. Between the shiny machines, precision instruments, electronics projects and reading about making R/C engines, I was hooked.

In some form or another, I have always been in manufacturing.

1 yr part time in a Heat Treat Plant to support my first car!
1 yr burr bench, chip technician
4 yrs at a sweat shop cranking manual handles on mills and lathes.
6 yrs in Steel Wire products plant (otherwise known as Hell on earth)
4 yrs of night school to get a 2 yr AA degree in Electronics/Robotics
5 yrs in a FAA Prop Overhaul Facility.
3 1/2 yrs in a Thermal Form Plastics shop as a Tool Maker/Maintenance
1 yr of Community College for AutoCAd, Production tooling, and Job Shop quoting.
5 yrs OEM CNC Field Service Machine Tool Tech.
6 yrs to date as a Machine designer/Tool Maker/Maint. Tech.




This all lead me to my current position, which is as a Machine Designer/Tool Maker/Machine Tool Technician, one of which could change at any given moment without the convenience of a telephone booth! Not much different than industrial process engineering?

My main function is to design machines and tooling for secondary production processes by Blind employees. It is by far one of the finest facilities, with the kindest people I have ever had the honor to work with. There rarely seems to be a limit on the technology I get to play around with that supports our main goals. This is my 6th year and I really enjoy what I am doing. It is an awesome blend to get to draw my design for an assembly in AutoCad or Solidworks, program it via CAM or conversational to the machine, then make it come to life with mechanical, electronics and software developed to give a level of independence to the operator.

A true waste of hard earned skills would be by not passing them on to someone else.

I have my own well equiped shop at home for side jobs and hobby stuff.

DC

It's funny how I got started in the machining industry.

I had worked construction for a company that also had a manufacturing facility that made the freezer panels that I installed. Well there had been some talk about moving the buisness about 45min away and we had actually cleaned up a place for the manufacturing buisness to move but was not supposed to move for a little under a year. Over memorial day weekend we came back to work and found that all the equipment was moved without even telling me they were going to move it. The boss said he would give me a buck an hour raise if I went down to work for him I said "no". So I agreed to stay a couple of days to clean up but that was it. So that day I looked in the employment section of the paper and noticed that there were several "cnc" jobs, I had no idea what they were but they paid well, so I went for it.

After some talk to people they said the best bet for me is to start out at a trade school, so I did. The schooling covered all the basics including autocad and I found my self facinated with the whole process, so much so that I went on to a local college to get an AA in Computer Aided Manufacturing(like an AA in mechanical basically)

Now I am a plant engineer for a machine shop in the great state of Kansas. I love my job and my career choice and have never looked back. I love a good challenge and I get that everyday at work.

Here's to life and the choices we make :cheers:

I am 5 yrs out of college, and never get to use the CNC machines at work. I design rubber extrusion dies for an automotive manufacturer, but the closest I get to the cnc process is making the models in AutoCAD, Inventor Catia and Solidworks. I envy the guys that get to use the tools, so I'm gonna try my hand at building some. Not looking for a career change, just to broaden my horizons and learn about electronics and motion control. I have no idea what i will do with my machine once I am done, but my 3 yr old is thrilled that i'm making a robot. It won't quite be what she expects in the end, I am sure.... maybe I'll use the mill to build parts for something a little more 'interactive'...

Hello,
Dont know if anyone will read this:
I did a 4 year apprenticeship in Australia on CNC Lathes, Mills and mechanical porduction lathes.
I know programming for a few controllers like FANUC and OKUMA, and am underway on building a cnc lathe and mill of my own both with auto turrets.
still a little research on the internet to go yet.
But if there is anything you need working out, please dont hesitate to contact me at: rhino@acenet.net.au

I took machine shop in vo-tech started running punch presses straight out of school. Moved up to CNC operator in a couple years. Now a couple years later I program CNC mills and a Laser. I still get to run the good old machines from time to time (not as often as I would like to). Right now I'm working on getting a VF6, minimill and gantry mill in here. I also do maintanance on the laser, Nitrogen generator and air compressor.

I just got my first job in the industry a few weeks ago, first few days they put me on a CNC router, then a few days ago operating on a milling centre. Needless to say my school training helped where my total lack of experience (I thought) would've been a problem. So far so good.

I'm New To Your Site,
I Find It Very Interesting, Purchased A Machine For Home Use, Finally.
32 Years C.n.c. Machining, Vertical, Horizontal, And Lathes. I Program At The Control. (fanuc,okuma,mitsubishi,boss,fadal,general Numerics[old],yasnac,haas).

Hrm, well. I started manuals. Drills, mills, & lathes for about 12 years. I mainly have been on the larger machines. Went to CNC's in mid 90's. Programming from path trace to master cam. Now I lean more towards the mamagement side. Controlling the master production schedule from sales to out the door. It's alot harder to get people to do the work than it is to just run the parts yourself. However, upper management frowns on the fact that I still will crank handles or program mdi for faster cycle times. Machining is the most under appreciated trade out there. Sad but true.

I do the lot and have since 1986 or so and I STILL haven't got it all sussed lol
Programme it on a PC, transfer it to the beast then the machine, with great precision, does exactly what it wants... which usually is nowhere close to what I want it to do :)

it's fun when it works

I have 32 +yrs Did 7 yrs tool & die Have my papers .Then went from shop to shop to learn differant Styles you learn more thet way . then in '85 took cnc programing . then just hit the books and tryed differant programing , inserts catalogs , each company give you differant information , stayed in CNC job shop , then went to a Major Machine tool manf. Was in turnkey for 10yrs took some cad & cad cam classes now i desighn fixtures draw them write programes for fixtures & the parts to be manf.
optamize programes parametric programing & mess with macro's a little bit. You can never stop learning and moving forward that the cool thing about this trade . the more you put into it the more you get out . but i am limited because of a disabilty it suckes. I do my best i was taught by some master machinists and tool & die makers . its hard to find that know days .its push the button now days .Later guys

Trev

Sadly true Bear... I was taught optical manufacturing techniques by some very skilled and experienced craftsmen and haven't been able to pass them on to anyone 'cos there's no apprentices anymore.

I was in the last group of apprentices at Barr & Stroud and the techniques will probably die with me *sniff*

'Tis a bit sad actualy.

Iain

I've been in the metal trades since 1965. Stated as a machinest in the navy, worked at small machine builders for several years. Got electronics and hydraulics degree's and moved on to be an engineer for Ford Motor Company. Now I run the mold repair/tool room operation in a Visteon (ex-ford) plant. I have my own shop with (2) cnc bridgeports, small cnc lathes and many miscellaneous manual machines. I am building up a big sharnoa knee mill now with rutex drives and deskcnc software. I've programmed 2 axis, 3axis and 4 axis mills and lathes and 6 axis articulated robots. When ever I program and run a michine I am astounded and enjoy watching it run. It'slike a video game to me. What technology!!! Any one that needs parts made give me a bling and maybe I can do your stuff for you.

In 1966 I started helping my dad in his basement machine shop when I was 10. Dad and a partner started a business involving machining and integrated assemblies when I was 13. I worked in the machine shop and occasionally in the assembly and wiring end of the business part time while I was going to college and later full time. I worked there for 13 years total. In 1976 I started programming NC mills that utilized paper tape. I made the programs with a TI -30 calculator with an LED display and 9 volt battery. I punched out the tape with an IBM Flexo Writer.

In 1982 a customer wanted several templates made to use on his tracer mills. These consisted of several large radii, cam and parabolic shapes. With my trusty TI-30 and several 9 volt batteries, I programmed all these shapes using angular coordinates. Once all the key punch errors were corrected and the programs were prooved out, we ran off the customers parts and sold him the templates. He was so impressed I knew how to do that. He offered me a job and bought some of his own NC machines. Up until then it seems, non straight line machining was done by layout, saw and sand.

Since then I had a few jobs and occasionally will contract my services when I have the time or something interests me enough to make the time. My present full time job has been going on for the last 21 years. I dabbled with various programming software including IBM APT, PMX, Computervision, Smart Cam and Surf Cam. Finally we stopped playing software games and went with the market leader. We bought Mastercam 6 and over the years added upgrades to Mastercam 9.

We do a lot of work machining work for the aircraft and mold industry. I especially like the challenges involved in creating the geometry utilizing surfaces and solids. I find 3D and mulit axis work the most interesting and challenging. Cad/Cam software and machining centers these days is amazing. We can cut complex shapes almost as simply as we could flycut a part 30 years ago. Yes I can make those cool things the guys on the Discovery Channel make.

Sorry if this is a boring long winded tale but you asked for it.

Bought an old CNC Bridgeport mill at auction for 11g Aust$, spent 4 days calc trig on one toolpath 7 typing 1" tape on teletype, ordered an EZCAM bridgeport software for 12g Aust$, but didn't come from PommyLand for 7months exchange rate altered cost us 19g by time it got here! Best thing I EVER did! All the jobs went thro the old NEC pc with 8" floppies, had to teach myself from the book, got pretty good after 1 year!. Used it to write my own posts, Incl vertical & horizontal indexing for our Maho CNC. Spent the crown jewels on Cadds5, worst thing I ever did! I was hopeless at it & training cost a mint! 1/2 retired now, but still go to work every day, & still use the EZcam for simple 2D programs. I have designed a lot of special purpose mcs, &can't wait to one day try building my own CNC mill/router with big travels, from all the junk I have collected. It's interesting to see so many having a go at PC cnc & having such fun

Started sweeping chips and picking up rags in my fathers mold shop in 1985.
Went to machining in 1986.
Turned on the spindle with my brand new Interapid indicator in it on my second day. :violin: (never did that again)
Cut molds and dies on very large machines till two years ago.
I used to program my own jobs all the time untill I moved to Arizona.
I think most shop owners here think you need a mechanical engineering degree to run a mouse on a computer. :argue:
Currentley looking for a place to hang my hat for good. :banana:
It has been a fun ride and met some of the best people. :cheers:

Started at 17, shop needed a 2nd programmer to help out. Turned out that they had bought'n Surfcam & the old programmer didn't want to switch to it from Mastercam, she was set in her ways. So i took it on learning both! Did drawings & programming for a Benchman 4000 & Servo Impact for 3 months, then the operator (was a great guy) had a heartattack at the shop, few days past then the boss said "its your job now & we're behind schedule! get to work". So i learned the machines and did everything for lil over 3yrs, doing everything i could do from cnc to the old Panto's, making cutters.

I lefted 8 months ago to run my own biz, i now run a cnc mill, cnc router, laser engraver. I'm turning 22 in april and i now know what stress is!!!! haha...

Machine shop is all i know. been at it about 6 years and just got a programming / Tech at the place i work know. I'm learn by the truck loads daily and it rocks!. I'm learning esprit and ran mastercam 4 about 3 years. So if i post something that make no sences just remeber i'm a Noob :)

This may sound silly, but I just enjoyed reading all of your biography's! So many different people, with different backgrounds, enjoying the same thing...Manufacturing! As for me, I started in my Dad's pattern shop (no CNC's) while still in High School, and was polishing patterns, running fillets and making gating when I wasn't baling hay for the local farmers. Now, 25 years later I own the business, have 3-Mastercam programmers, 7-Fadals (none of the patterns get made by hand anymore, it's all CNC) and 8-support people. I have a great bunch of guys - old and really young - who all have the same love of manufacturing that you people do. Next time I'm hiring, I'll be sure to post the ad on this forum! (Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa)

started out as an operator wanted more out of the trade so i moved around to different shops picking up expierience an today i build an repair molds full time as well as run my own home base machine shop on the side

Started on NC's programming and setting up starturn lathes in the early 70's. Just to make a change in one number, had to take the tape, read it in a tape reader up to the point the change had to be made, turn the dial to skip the binary number you wanted to change, type the new number, continue auto punching from the original, go back put it back in the machine, run the program and find out you have to make another change 6 blocks later, go back do it all again. about 74 the cinturn cnc came out and started on that. Lots easier. Been doing it ever since. Have my own shop now. Only thing, i hate doing it... after 35 years, it gets very boring. Just got a cnc plasma machine in, never even touched one, so maybe this will give me something to start making it fun again,, so far though, it's just driving me crazy. i'm getting real good at burning up tips and electrodes...

Dave

I started working in a machine shop in 1965, finished Tool and Die Apprenticeship in 1970. Been loving it ever since. Taught myself CAD and CNC programming about 10 years ago. Now I do CNC milling as a hobby and hope to build it into a small business.

I miss the option "I did". ;)

I started 10 years ago, as a service technician for CNC controlled drill/routers. But the machines I'm working on, are for the PCB buisness. So the controllers and G codes are a bit different, to what is used on metal working machines.

I work in Weber-Stephen Inc's R&D department (I am here now, in fact, hiding out in my cubicle).

I design the insides of plastic injection molded parts, as well as provide 'engineering visualization skills' for the larger engineering department..

This is an agreeable job, as i spend half my time on ebay...

www.clockworkchicago.com/tongs.JPG

Robert

Robert

I've been machining for over 20 years and just kept seeing shop close in the Boston area our school have drop metal working and if I had to do it again machining would not be my first pick of a trade with the cost of living in this area and wages in the High teens to mid 20s /hour if you did not buy a house 10 years ago on a machinist pay you'll never own one

Started my Machinist Apprenticeship in 1973 , became a CNC programmer
in 1981 using Compact 2 , now I design fixtures using AUTOCAD ,write shop
routings and an occaisonal CNC program using Unigraphics NX3.

Tom

Started out in Tool and Die to save funds for going to college for electronics in 1985. During my apprenticeship, my supervisor thought that I would do well in design. I started helping with design work (using Personal Designer then later AutoCad) and also got involved with doing some of the programming of the CNC equipment. The company (family owned since the '40s) was retrofitting their own manual grinders with Fanuc CNC controls. That later became a bussiness of it's own. From design and programming, I also started doing quotations for new tools and repairs. I eventually found that the "office" position did not challenge me enough. I then began working as a lead person on the shop floor while maintaining multiple wire EDM machines. I eventually took an evening position and eventualy moved on to an international cutting tool manufacturer. After about 1.5 years with the company I was asked to lead a group responsible for manufacturing PCD (polycrystallinediamond) tooling.

So much for my electronics career. But it's still a big hobby of mine.
It's funny how things work out in life.

I started as an apprentice 1969 became a toolmaker, Jig an tool design and have been in product design for over twenty years. Got my gold watch 12 years ago and been with the same firm 37 years. god have I seen engineering change. at the start we had turn handles. Now its all 3D dnc link pro engineer and radan. Its just like playing games real boys toys. I am going to build a router design in autocad and want to design an build clocks and wooden toys. I have a few years before I hang up my micrometer.
I still think it the best job in the world but I wish it payed better, it does train you to take on anything I have designed and built two houses. Whos the greatest engineer nun other than I.K.B. ( Isambard Kingdom Brunel who else could it be )visit http://web.ukonline.co.uk/b.gardner/brunel/kingbrun.html :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
I am off my soap box now
Manufacturing may die but engineering lives for ever

Have been out of my time (4 year apprenticeship) for 2 and a half years.
Took a job in brisbanes west operating manual machines a year ago. now i operate an OKUMA bar-fed lathe and a harrison-fanuc 1mtr X 3mtr cnc jobbing lathe, and loving every moment of it (did a bit of both worlds in my app.).

I've dabbled in electronics a bit since 1960 when I was 12.:-)

Mariss

started off in vo-tech school during high school. a few random jobs didn't go far till i got hooked up with an older fella that ran his own one man shop. that was the best thing i could've ever done! he was great and i spent a few years there till i moved away and found another job along the same lines. a few more years there has lead me to my own venture. been on my own for 6 months. we'll see where this ends up. --phil

We are a 3rd generation engraving shop (my grandfather started the company in 1968). I started here in 1993 at 18 yrs old operating a pantograph for about 2 years. Then I got my own CNC for about 3 more years. Taught myself CAD during that time, and have been doing setups ever since. I run a machine from time to time when needed.

We have 20 Kuhlmann/Lang machines running, so I am pretty much always busy.

Started on my dads Logan lathe in the garage when I was big enough th reach the chuck. Four years in the navy on a sub tender. Have been at my current job for aprox 18 years. I have been the main proto type manual machinest, tool grinder, cnc operater/setup with some programing and main maintenance person. I am a master floater
and go where needed.

Started machining as a "wee lil' boy" of about 8 yrs old in the '70s at Grandpa's shop (aerospace and government work). Ran a Cincinatti lathe. Couldn't even load some of the parts since they weighed a little more than half of me (at the time). Have a picture of me (about 9 or 10 yrs old) standing on a Bridgeport table, hunched over with one hand on the draw bar, the other holding on the tool (I was doing a tool/collet change).

Got into die working, switched to CNC (tape readers), programmed lathes, then switched to VMs and HMs around '85 or '86.

Being a military brat (and not one to stay still in one area), I've machined in 3 continents, 6 countries and 4 states...... I still haven't got it all figured out. :rolleyes:

Never will, but, always looking to learn new things,.... There's always a 'better' way to do something 'tomorrow' than the way I did it 'today'.

:cheers: :cheers:



Send us a pic. of you on that BP :cool:

I posted quite a while ago on this thread but anyways...

I put in about a year in shop, and 3 years in school.

I was a cnc operator/machinist apprentice in the shops i worked at. machining a lot of aluminum, brass, 303,304, things like that. mostly for electronics, optics, military applications, etc.

i moved across canada to work in the oilfield industry, so i could get experience on different machinery/tooling and to work on exotic metals, inconel, astralloy, hardened 4145H, etc. So i definetly got some hard turning and milling experience plus i got to work on Mazaks (which were new to me)

Now im working for a mastercam reseller as a Mastercam technical support specialist where i do programming (lathe, mill, edm, multiaxis,etc), machining aircraft parts, sales and support, etc. I love what i do. Im still pretty young so i see this as the best opportunity i could have had.

Alberta is where its at. ;)

I've worked for about 7 years now as a programmer for a 5-axis CMS-machine, but i have a little problem. I'm from belgium and i would like to write my own mastercam post for an european CMS machine but i don't know anyone who can do this. Isn't there anyone who can give me an example of that. I thank anyone who can help me.

What is a CMS machine? What kind of control does it have etc.?

CMS is a manufacterer of cnc routers. It's an italian firm who has a part of it's company in north america. check www.cmsna.com (http://www.cmsna.com) . It runs on Allen-Bradley controls

You will need several working examples of code that are RUNNING/HAVE RUN, flawlessly in the control, aside from that you need to be able to understand some computer programming, and also NCI output from mastercam. MP language is basically a language of its own but very similar in structure to several other languages. NCI output from mastercam is always the same. Then the MP.dll and the post processor convert NCI code into machine readable code. If you can understand NCI code, then you will be able to tell EXACTLY what should be output by the post processor

I start working in CNC machines as an operator for Printed Circuits Company I was operating 3 cnc routers. in 1987. worked there for 7 years. but in my firts year a learn cnc programing.
then, I start working for an Aerospace machine shop, and I learn how to operate, set-up and program Wire EDM machines with CNC controls , did this for 5 years. at This moment I'm the CNC programer for another machine shop, using CAD-CAM systems to program end disign 3D models of parts, tooling and fixtures.

I started to work in this family own Shop in March this year.
I'm a CNC operator in with 8 different CNC machines mostly HASS
4 lathe and 4 mill
I'm also strarting to learn how to do simple CNC programs at this time

My dad has had an engineering firm for 50yrs, i have always worked in it and for him (on a part time/ recreational basis). Studied Computers and programming, have been in the field for about 10 yrs. (incl varsity), getting tired of that now.. thinking of making a "Comeback". Planning to build a flat-bed plasma cutting machine for the factory? any thoughts on that?

start machining in GOverment Technical institute workshop;and learnig in feild of mastercam v8.1 about 1yr,come and go to Yangon Institue to learn mastercam v9 and machining in fanuc and anilam controller until now.

Hi to everyone!
I just love to read the questions and answers on the mach x software. 
1974 was the start of manual machining for me.

1: CNC boring mill operator for 10 years.
2: Electronics and circuit design for 10 years.
3: Programming and pc hardware for 6 years.
4: Currently doing mechanical design for 8 years now. ( we also need another designer!)
5: I offer a free real time/real control PC CNC control software for download! (This was a spare time project and is possibly the fastest PC only control software available)

It’s the rush you get when something works that makes you start another project!

Howdy,
Started out cleaning machines, oiling and sweeping floors. Spent a number of years in various oil field machine shops - using various conventional machining techniques. I learned quickly and was very fortunate to have exposure to an extensive degree of old school machine shop knowledge.

Moved into the Defense/Aerospace industry in the mid '70s and stayed.
This circus afforded me many opportunities to expand into higher levels of manufacturing technologies. So, I'm no stranger to old punch tape driven NC dinosaurs or fully integrated high speed machining cells. :)

Current programming systems are Bridgeport EZ_Mill, Surfcam, Hurco -Win_Max, Haas NC, Mori-Seiki and a few quick/dirty Mazak Maztrol conversational.

Thirty-five years later and beautifully machined parts still get me excited. :)

I started 13 years ago as a general labourer, mosty in the fab. dept. I got a shot about 8 yrs ago in the machine shop. Then into the CNC dept as an operator. Now after getting my machinist ticket, 4 years ago, I program, set-up and run cnc machines.
http://g.t.machineandfab.com/

I voted doitall But 80+ % of the time I'm programming and setting up tools and maint.. I operate the machine as needed when the regular is on vacation or tied up with another project, so I'm on it every week.

I work in a CNC department in a diecasting company.
The department is full blown production....No outside or one off jobs of anykind.
We make parts for Ford,Eaton Transmisions,Caterpillar,GE electrics,Motorolla,Muncie Transmision,Dana,Trane,and a number of other companies.
I started out with the company as a programer and setup man,now i'm maintenance.
Run a machine???pshht...not if i can help it...I'm done running machines.

:rainfro: My career
1st 2 years operated cnc turning & machining center - promoted
next 3 years cnc programming & looks after a shift - promoted
next 3 years TS Documentation & development activity - promoted
since last 4 years Heading the engineering department - cost estimation,process planning, process improvement ,project handling etc my major role

I do all 3.....Started back in 1971 on conventional machines, by 1975 I was running NC tape machines, then in 1990 started programming CNC machining centers. Doing it ever sence. Have worked with Mastercam, Surfcam, and now using AlphaCam programming a 10 tool Flexicam Wood Router with a 14 foot by 5 foot vacume table. We make custom homes and do Boat Interiors. Business is doing Great here in Maine. Check us out at http://www.hewesco.com . Anything in the home that is curved we cut on the CNC and we also do Cabinets, counter tops etc.

hi

i started back in the seventies middle....of course on conventional machines... that was a little machineshop, for broken and not manufactured car and motorparts, just for sample we made gears, straight, spiral, arrow teeth, even straight conegear... rolling chain wheel.. lt was the beginning like 5 year long... pistons, even for compressor rings,piston, and rod
after this on country a small company for sheetmetall cabinets, but i was in toolroom and the company has machineshop for series...
around '97 i saw first a router and used it...
before 3 years ago i bought one and this is my hobby, because i bought just the machine with controller.... and no software...
so i had to learn a lot :-)
what i used that was a smart program did everything.. today i get in the real cnc programming with standard g-code. thanks for turbocnc and ace
it's a real wonderworld:-)

I did it all for about 3 years, then changed jobs to do only @ the machine program mods, now I do programming and some machine mantainance. It's more enjoyable to do it all.

Hello, I Started machining when i was fifteen years old working for my grandfather i am a fourth generation journeyman mold maker (20 years later)

Got in to CNCs when grand pa purchesd his first cnc its was a Bridgeport with a Tnc 135 control. I used ez-cam version 4.0 to program it, from there i have gone on to run many types of cnc machines and now use ez-fm 13 to program if i program off line most of the time i use notepad. my current job has me in charge of ... Tsugami bs26c swiss Fanuc 18TT, Mori Seiki zl15-smc Fanuc 16tt, Mori Sl4tc Fanuc 11t, Mori Sl-3b Fanuc6T,Hitachi Seiki ht-20 Fanuc 10tf, Mazak vqc30/50b fanuc 11m, mazak avj405b m2, okuma 3va osp500, okuma 4vae osp5020, okuma cadet osp7000, matsura v1000 twin spindle fanuc 11m

mY FAVS aRe tHE mORi'S THEY ROCK

College
U.S. Army
 Honorably Discharged Veteran
College
Manufacturing Engineering (Villahermosa, Tabasco Mexico)
 Part of a very small team which attempted to patent, prototype, market and produce and a next generation sub-surface safety valve based in Mexico.
 Worked as a consultant to re-establish a failed plastics recycling plant in Mexico.
Process Operations (Baker Oil Tools, Houston Texas)
 Process Specialist controlling routings for multiple product lines
Machinist & Fabrication Operations
 Can Operate Manual Mills, Lathes
 C.N.C. Lathes & Mills
 Sanitary Heli-arc Welding (TIG)
 Proficient in All Windows Operating Systems and Office Applications (Expert in Access, Word, Excel & PowerPoint, including VBA)
 Proficient with SAP Database Management

 Speak, Read and Write fluent Spanish
 Experienced with and can demonstrate proficiency with lapping lathes, 10-110 ton punch-presses, Hydro-static and Hydraulic pressure testing, silver brazing.

I Have Been Doing This For 22 Years, When I Started I Didn't Know The Difference Between A C-clamp And A Micrometer. Was Given The Opportunity To Learn, Know I Work For A Small Shop. Program, Set-up And Run Cnc Machines 2 Mills And 3 Lathes, Sometimes All At One Time. Mostly Setup And Let An Operator Run Out. Mostly Small Runs 20-50 Parts, Sometimes 1000 Qty.

I do all of the programming. Though there are times when I need to test prototypes to see if our machines are capable of producing a specific part. I then will have to set up and run the machine to prove that it is capable and consistent.

Doing all 3 :eek: I got dropped into this job after another cnc programmer/operator left (high turnover rate...) I went to college for drafting and design, ended up changing over to land surveying. I enjoyed seening my plans "come to life", so I guess cnc is kinda the same process. I started working at the shop I am currently at as a drafter/designer in the lumber eguipment handling buisness. Worked as drafter for 3 1/2 years and was moved to programming cnc... You know how hard it is to program cnc when you have absolutely no machining knowledge? Some of the guys helped me out when i needed it and I worked with a guy for a little while, but most of mine is self taught... AND learned... (still learning, aint we all?) Currently we have 3 vertical mills (Romi D1250 w/4axis / fanuc, Cin Milicron arrow 750 / fanuc, Hurco Hawk 30) and 2 horizontal lathes (Romi Centur 35 / fanuc)... Love this job... We run small number jobs, 1 to 100 parts mostly. do get some jobs in the 20k - 40k numbers. I do my own programing and set ups. "Never trust anothers drawing," I learned that from my drafter days. I never know what I am fixing to run next... I got a stack of work orders, I order my material and have an idea of how I am going to run the parts and hope I can get some long runs going... 12-40 hours.. i like them jobs. So All in all... I do it all!!!

ive been doing it all for 18 years in a job shop with all different types of machines. we had and old eagle cnc, a couple aof mazaks, hurco haas they are all have there good and bad points

None of the categories fit what I do. In my current job I program about 70% of the time and the rest is other Production Engineering tasks such as creating process documentation, designing fixtures, developing new methods, continuous improvement activities etc. Working in motorsport, we're always having new jobs come through, hence the heavy programming laod.

I have been in CNC for 24 years, coming from a Production Engineering background, before that I served my apprenticeship as a machine tool fitter.

Somewhere between option 1 and option 3. (From 1981-1991 all I did was program milling centers.) Where I am today, I was hired (1995) as a second programmer, setup, operator. And currently, as a second shift supervisor, setup and be an operator as needed, else I just program.

Im 30, been working for my friends family making oem machines that spiral slice meat since I was fresh out of high school. Currently, I run the shop from machining to fabricating. I would love to sit on some Caribbean beach and send generated g-code to clients and get paid well for doing so.

been machining for about 2 weeks now

Whats up guys? I've been machining for 12 years and programing for 11 years. I have been writing programs for Cnc Swiss Lathe "Citizen and Nomura" for 11 years now. I just dont wirte them I also set them up.

I have been running manual mills&lathes for 24 years and have been programing and running cnc mills with proto-trak control for about 8 years

Hi. I've just finished my 50th year as a machinist last September. Things sure have changed! I started CNC programming and machining in 1977, and still doing it. I'm starting to reduce my hours at my day job, and doing consulting and tutoring instead.
Answer to poll: I do it all.

I don't know how to answer, I've ran, programmed, and taken products from design to finished product many times, I currently work as a process engineer for a truck equipment mfg co.
One project I helped with was a process that took customers order info from our business software and configured an Inventor model that then generated automatic dxf creation for use by the nesting software and ultimately to the cnc equipment. We use a machining center, burn table, 3 plasma tables (one hydef), turret punching and brakes that all use cnc.
Now most of my design, programming and running of cnc equipment is top secret government work early in the morning, breaks, and lunch time. ;)

Hi Guys Is anybody out there familiar with PROTO-TRAK MX3 programming? Thats all I've ever ran. How is it compared to other programming controls?

I've been machining since '64 and prog'mg. since '84. Acramatics to Matrix controls with many no longer in existance, in between. 2, 3, 4 and 5 axis. Love doing it when things work out and hate being as stupid as I quite often feel. For the most part it has been good. I particularlly like going from "A to Z" on a project, before releasing something to production, so I do it all, most all the time. I am currently working for a mining equip. company, but have worked for the packageing, logging and work holding industries. I have also worked for R. K. LeBlond, American Tool Works and Yamazaki Mazak. I still enjoy it work.

Hi all,

I am 30 and doing designing and programming for molds since 8 years now. good to see a poll like this. have a nice weekend ahead.

I was a lowly manual operator since '88 and eventually moved to the shop's CNCs in '04 after first moving to Florida in '03 then coming back. Our programmer was not degreed and not very good with the employees. He tried to leverage them so they sent him back out on the floor. They asked me, because of tests we took, to take over so I did. Now I am the programmer, application tech, machine/tooling purchaser, trainer, IT, ...

It's hectic but I have a good time. I don't get to run the machines anymore and I miss that sometimes.

I started drafting abut 25 years ago. Started doing 3D die work for forging and then product design for forging and tooling, riding the CAD wave since 1985 or so. Now doing tooling design, FEA, CAM, mostly in Pro-E, and testing in Vericut for tooling and electrode milling. Discovered home-built CNC when thinking about buying a compucarve machine last year to make wooden gears, and do some v-carving. (chip carving).

Took my machine tech here in Alberta 2004/05. Been doing all 3 on Okuma lathes for the last 1.5 years - short run production usually 10-30 parts, 17-4, 316, Nitronic, BeCu. Do my own projects on the Haas mills when there's time - just made my first neat 3D part - used lofted surfaces in MasterCAM. It was so much fun I'm buying a minimill!

Started out in Assembly 10 years ago.
Got put on horizontal mill because someone called in sick, ended up doing first setup after 2 months.
Been programming via MasterCam for mills for 6 years.

Currently working in private aerospace.