smokeshow
Plastic
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2012
- Location
- United States
I recently was promoted to Cnc Lead.
So let me help you understand where I am coming from...Cnc Mill and Lathe programmer retired, (early and unannounced)... And the "machinist" quit because he wasn't willing to learn to program.
My department has 5 axis Cnc Flow Waterjet, 3 axis Cnc Press Brake, 2 axis Cnc Shear, 3 axis Cnc Haas Vertical Mill, and 3 axis Cnc Haas Lathe.
Up until recently I have programmed/operated the waterjet, brake and shear. I would do light operation and edits in G code on existing programs on the mill (feeds/speeds and tools/height etc...) and basically a button pusher on the lathe.
So I took it upon myself to try and learn Solidworks, so I could begin doing some programming on the mill. On which I have achieved some success in the 2 weeks since starting. I've made approximately 10-15 working and (currently) running production programs. But, by no means do I feel proficient or efficient at it yet.
But our company president walked out on the shop floor (and I was like oh, crap... what did I screw up). He proceeded to say, "Thank you for going above and beyond on your own, and I want to give you a blank check for success. Whatever you need as far as training/ schooling and software. You can have it, no matter what. Even if you complete it and leave the company for a better job, I am willing to take that risk."
So that being said, I am looking for some outside viewpoints and ideas/suggestions/input. I am not a machinist, but apparently I need to "assume" that role somewhat now. I feel like in order to really grasp programming both the lathe and mill, you need to operate them efficiently.
Possible Ideas...
Haas Certificate Programs (Any real value?)(Short term solution)
Community College (mid length investment)
UTI CNC Machining Program (Orlando)(long term/long investment)
I am located in the Tampa Bay Area. (Florida)
Any other information that you need from me, I'll be glad to help.
So let me help you understand where I am coming from...Cnc Mill and Lathe programmer retired, (early and unannounced)... And the "machinist" quit because he wasn't willing to learn to program.
My department has 5 axis Cnc Flow Waterjet, 3 axis Cnc Press Brake, 2 axis Cnc Shear, 3 axis Cnc Haas Vertical Mill, and 3 axis Cnc Haas Lathe.
Up until recently I have programmed/operated the waterjet, brake and shear. I would do light operation and edits in G code on existing programs on the mill (feeds/speeds and tools/height etc...) and basically a button pusher on the lathe.
So I took it upon myself to try and learn Solidworks, so I could begin doing some programming on the mill. On which I have achieved some success in the 2 weeks since starting. I've made approximately 10-15 working and (currently) running production programs. But, by no means do I feel proficient or efficient at it yet.
But our company president walked out on the shop floor (and I was like oh, crap... what did I screw up). He proceeded to say, "Thank you for going above and beyond on your own, and I want to give you a blank check for success. Whatever you need as far as training/ schooling and software. You can have it, no matter what. Even if you complete it and leave the company for a better job, I am willing to take that risk."
So that being said, I am looking for some outside viewpoints and ideas/suggestions/input. I am not a machinist, but apparently I need to "assume" that role somewhat now. I feel like in order to really grasp programming both the lathe and mill, you need to operate them efficiently.
Possible Ideas...
Haas Certificate Programs (Any real value?)(Short term solution)
Community College (mid length investment)
UTI CNC Machining Program (Orlando)(long term/long investment)
I am located in the Tampa Bay Area. (Florida)
Any other information that you need from me, I'll be glad to help.