- Joined
- Nov 24, 2013
- Messages
- 1,791
I know some folks may not agree with my opinion on the subject, but it's a strong opinion non the less. I'm in cnc school an am blessed enough to be taught by an old school teacher. I tend to agree with his opinion on what a machinist is. We are taught manual machines, manual math, manual everything before we ever get to even talk g code. And his logic on that is a real machinist has to understand the process. Be it cnc or manual, the process is the same. A cnc guy who knows the process can move to a manual machine pretty easy. A manual guy can go to cnc with learning just code. The core of it is in the process.
A programmer or button pusher is no different then a manual operator. He can do exactly what he was told to do. He can punch in the same code he has every day, or what ever is on the sheet of paper. Just like an operator can turn the same taper he turned last week. Or run any part someone else sets up.
I believe a real cnc machinist can get on a manual an figure it out as he understands whats on the drawing, where to start, how many processes he can do in a single set up, and when something on the drawing simply aint right.
I also dont think machinist are going away. What has gone away is apprenticeships. Now you go to tech school or just find a job, learn a base set of skills. Then after years of on the job training, if you soak up everything you can, you ask everything you can, you step out your comfort zone, and most important you have the aptitude, you will eventually be a machinist. And one would be a fool to discount the need to learn manual work. For repairs and piece work, it will never be easier or faster to do cnc over a manual.
On paper I would say you need to be able to cut threads to be a machinist. But in today's world, a true cnc machinist maybe never had to do it on a manual. But he will know the process and have the aptitude to learn it in very short order. I have every intention on one day being a machinist. Both manual and cnc. At 35yr of age, I hope that means this trade and skill wont die for at least another 40yrs. And if my son continues down the road he's on, maybe another 80yr out of him.
A programmer or button pusher is no different then a manual operator. He can do exactly what he was told to do. He can punch in the same code he has every day, or what ever is on the sheet of paper. Just like an operator can turn the same taper he turned last week. Or run any part someone else sets up.
I believe a real cnc machinist can get on a manual an figure it out as he understands whats on the drawing, where to start, how many processes he can do in a single set up, and when something on the drawing simply aint right.
I also dont think machinist are going away. What has gone away is apprenticeships. Now you go to tech school or just find a job, learn a base set of skills. Then after years of on the job training, if you soak up everything you can, you ask everything you can, you step out your comfort zone, and most important you have the aptitude, you will eventually be a machinist. And one would be a fool to discount the need to learn manual work. For repairs and piece work, it will never be easier or faster to do cnc over a manual.
On paper I would say you need to be able to cut threads to be a machinist. But in today's world, a true cnc machinist maybe never had to do it on a manual. But he will know the process and have the aptitude to learn it in very short order. I have every intention on one day being a machinist. Both manual and cnc. At 35yr of age, I hope that means this trade and skill wont die for at least another 40yrs. And if my son continues down the road he's on, maybe another 80yr out of him.