Teaching CNC operators

[cncwhiz]

I don't use "G10's" for tool offsets. We manufacture our own product so the tool in the magazine and machines pretty much run the same parts. Other than minor revisions which I handle myself or the supervisor they just push buttons and load parts. I know that all I really need to do is teach them to read a program enough to get them up and running, be able to tell a dull tool and check the offset to get the machine back up and running. I will be doing much more than that. This professon has treated me well so I want to give as much to other people as I can to be able to do the same. I will tech them as much as they can learn so they can be able to leave this shop and go anywhere.

[MazakMikeO]

That's a good attitude to have, I hope they have the same attitude towards learning.

[cncwhiz]

Their supervisor does not want to teach them anything. Everytime I go to the floor to prototype a job they pick my brain so I thnk they will enjoy it.

[billystein]

Hi,
I like to have the guys make setups. I mean indicating vises, edge/center finding. setting tools and offsets. even on there first day. I believe that cnc operation and even programming can be learned in 1 year or so. machining however can take a lifetime. when a person makes setups all the time they get faster. i don't have them run the programs until they are ready.
by that time they are really good at indicating fixtures and vises and setting tools. I ususlly run the first part for them and check everything out.
after a few months you should see who is definitely not going to be a machinist. the guys that i have trained have usually been very fast at setups. i mean faster that most guys that come through the door. to this point only about half a dozen guys that i have trained have gone on to programming. I don't push it on people and i make them decide if they want to do it. it seems that most guys are not willing to take the next step.
I had to learn most everything by myself except for a couple of training days at machine dealers. I was hungry to learn and always had some nc book in my back pocket. I would read while my machine running,during break and lunch and always in the bathroom. my bathroom at home looked like a nc library. I don't see that in most people. I see them reading the newspaper daily. they never miss the sports section. one freind of mine has been waiting 20 years to learn programming. he is a good operator and setup guy. he can programming some drill cycles and makes fly cutting programs. he still wont take the time to read any of the programming books. the computers were always available at lunch and break time but everyday he would sit 4 feet from the computer and have his lunch and read his newspaper.
I taught him a few lessons about machining but he will never put the effort into learning programming.


billy

[tauntdesigns]

Great attitudes guys,

I've always enjoyed helping others at work. It sounds cornie/korny but, I get a kick out of seeing the look on someone's face when they finely get it.

Happy machining,
Jack

[cncwhiz]

Billy,
Your idea will work good for a job shop making "simple" parts. No one can "correctly" program in a year. They need to know method, sfm and ipr for cretin tool and materials etc... In the company I work in we make our own product so all are parts for what we make. We have for the most part machines and fixtures dedicated for what we make. I don't use any vises. I use tombstones with pinned and bolted sub plates. I use "G10's" that are pre-programmed. The tools stay in the magazine. This makes for a simple way to run production but a not so great place to train. I have been dumming down for so long with macros and safegards all over the place that they don't need to think. This is great for the bean counters and money people but does not help the people learn how to "correctly" setup and operate the machine. The only good way to learn this trade is to go from shop to shop over many years with different conditions, money etc to become a good machinist.

[dumptruck]

Start with The Green button, the little red button, and BOZO's NOSE !!!!
Try explaining that cutter comp "D" value is actually radius. That's because "R" was already in use for G02,G03 circular interpolation. C.N.C. milling is programmed for the spindle to be "offset" from the parts outline in relation to 1/2 the cutters dia. To adjust a side g41/g42 the "d" value is actually the radius. That's because "R" was already taken for g02,g03 etc. Then go on to circular interpolation and then the hole size doubles the "D" value because on a circular path the tool cuts on both sides so the "D" value offset doubles. Now how many fingers ? HA HA !!!