Changing Jobs

[DAB_Design]

I had an interview Wed. with a somewhat local company (about 40 min. drive). Their main area is "fire-retardant structures and resin-transfer molding, especially in the use of a proprietary lost-core methodology for the fabrication of hollow structures with internal stiffeners". They just broke ground on a new 3.8million facility. And plan to almost triple employment in the next year.

I've decided to take the position. They have a newer Haas. I didn't catch the model, or the model of the controller. But I'd say it has a travel of 60 x 30 maybe. It's somewhat smaller than what I'm used to running. They also have an older 5 axis (B & C) cnc router. I can't remember the brand, but the controller seems to be somewhat 'conversational'. While being shown around by one of the engineers, he hit the cycle start on this machine. Up popped 5 options, drill, trim, can't, remember, rest .

Carbon fiber seems to be their main interest. But I also saw some other materials laying around. In their main office, they had a bicycle wheel hanging on the wall. I picked it up and was amazed at how light it was. It only had 4 'spokes', and a hole for the valve stem (I'm guessing). It was hallow, with no seams which I thought was a bit unusual. They said during the interview, that this was one of their specialties - hallow components with no seams.

Anyway, I would be doing alot of the machining, and programming. Their current plans are to eventually retire the older 5 axis machine, and purchase some newer ones. So I'm looking for a bit of information on Haas specific websites where I may be able to get some info on programming/running of the machines. The only controls I have experience with are Cincinnati Milacron.

Also, they currently use Esprit(sp?) for programming. As I have no experience in this, I'm also looking for information. The owner said he thought they were a bit hindered by the choice of using Esprit and would probably look into something else. He mentioned Catia. Hopefully I can show him a few other products and change his mind.

Most of the machining would be a small amount of aluminum for tooling, trimming finished products, and machining the foam cores for the molds. I was a bit amused by how one of the engineers 'tested' me. He said "on that piece of foam loaded in the haas, if I wanted a bunch of holes in it, and then flipped over and machinied flat, could you do that by hand at the machine?" I just about laughed. Isn't that kind of stuff really elementary anywhere you go? I would think anyone with at least 1 year of machining experience would be able to do this.

Anywhat, here is a link to an article I found about them. And here is their website.

Any information about Haas, Esprit, and composites would be appreciated.

[Halfnutz]

Congratulations, Dustin. Sounds exciting, especially the carbon fibre and aerospace stuff. Way to go!

[DAB_Design]

Thanks Halfnutz.

I found info on the other machine. It is a Thermwood Model 70.

I have to admit, after almost 10 years at the same company, I'm a bit scared to change. But I think it would be for the best.

[turmite]

Hey Dustin,

You're not going to believe this but I have had this company booked marked for a long time to talk to about one of my gunstocks projects. I can hardly wait till you get there ...

Mike

[miljnor]

Haas has about 85% of the market so finding info on them should be easy... I own serveral what exactly did you want to know? I don't know the milacron control but a CNC is a CNC i learned On a funuc controler and comparatively the HAAS is much easier to use. and is An intuitive control (no guessing what switch does what). The G code language is similar, the only major changes usually happen on the Canned, and threading cycles.