CNC West Feb March 2019

48 www.CNC-West.com CNC WEST February/March 2019 Top Left - High speed machining tool paths in GibbsCam on Steel with 6 flute endmill. Top Right – Simulation of the tool paths for verification before machining. Bottom Left – Live shop travelers on iPads deployed at each workstation through Job Shop Manager MRP system paving the way for paperless shop floor. Bottom Right – Live Zoomed in Print on an iPad at a machine eliminating the need for distribution of updated paperwork in case of any revision or other changes that he has years of past data to compare to. “I was run- ning a job in 4140 at 40 Rockwell,” describes Sanjeev. “The max we were getting was eight pieces per corner of the insert. These were not cheap inserts, but a respected tool- ing brand that cost $16 or $17 each. The YG1 insert on the same job lasts for 24 parts per corner and costs only $6. So we got a huge gain in tool life, and pay less for it. It was amazing; we didn’t believe it at first. We run 1200 of that part a month and the results speak for themselves. I switched over to YG1 on every turning insert available on every job. Same thing for end mills. We were using 7 flute end mills for high speed machining in steel and Jonathan brought in a 6 flute. He said try it at the same feeds and speeds and let me know what you think. We got 25% bet- ter tool life without changing anything else. They too have a much lower price point. It has been a really, really good change for us. We switched all the end mills too. YG1 are adding more and more tools to their catalog and if I need that tool I don’t hesitate to order it from Jonathan.” One of the things that really sets SKM apart is that Sanjeev has trained every operator. They don’t hire people who have been a machinist in other shops. “We like to train in- house,” tells Sanjeev. “We want a clean slate, and have found that starting from zero is the best way to teach good habits instead of inheriting bad ones.” An example of those good habits is that the operator checks critical di- mensions on every single part. Not every five, or every ten parts, but every single part. “The best complement I’ve ever got from a customer was when he told me how he could calibrate his mic off my parts. We’ve virtually elimi- nated the problem of not being able to find skilled work- ers. I hire young people, I believe in the youth. I hire col- lege students and work with them on their schedules. My latest hire had no manufacturing experience. He applied with a background in bookkeeping. There was something about his resume that struck me and I called him in for an interview. He always wanted to be an engineer, but it didn’t work out that way. In high school he tried to buy a table top CNC mill for fun. I explained that he isn’t go- ing to get to utilize the experience he already has, and he didn’t care. He just wanted to get his foot in the door. He starts next week. Youth is the future of manufacturing, and it is key part of our success. They are young, eager and hungry for knowledge. I like that.”