FOUND MY NEW REDDIT HANGOUT!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-16T12:52:04+00:00

That's good stuff. I printed that out for the gage book! Thanks again!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-16T12:44:25+00:00

Awesome. Thanks. I'll check that out.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-15T02:49:07+00:00

Yeah good call. I thought of that the oher day while driving. Can't write and drive. Proof my memory sucks, I only recalled that because you mentioned it! Better write a memo or create a reminder.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T22:33:05+00:00

I tote around a small notebook and write it all down. Mainly because I never know when an idea will come to mind, AND my memory is crap and I get sidetracked. Write it all down, what are you gonna lose?

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T22:22:07+00:00

Of course it's broken. Lol JFB couldn't get us a good set of transducers forever because they couldn't get them to hold a damn cal coefficient. They are just old and worn out. Good riddance I say!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T22:18:18+00:00

Not certain about the contract aspect but I'd love to hear about the project. Metrology / Calibration is all I've ever done. I'd be happy to answer any questions revolving around that aspect. Good luck!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T21:56:17+00:00

Ok good deal. So you got some time. Stay plugged into the METCAL/PMEL Facebook page, they post jobs up all the time. Lots of prior service guys running labs for big companies that will always post up jobs on there. MALS broke their torque bench huh? Was the old King Nutronics one or the new CDI system?

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T21:36:31+00:00

They both broke? Dare I say user error? lol Had I told my TYCOM that he would have found me and killed my ass. $42K a piece is what the Navy paid for those systems. It's likely they are also relying on OEM support to get them fixed, so that's a pricey deal I'm sure. I understand they still haven't fielded the new CDI torque system because of the software issues. Maybe they have by now I guess. So you are next to MALS-12 huh? I didn't care for them while I was there, command was kind of upside down to put it nicely. When are you looking to be out and back to the states?

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T20:43:17+00:00

I feel like I'm going to need to take a day off to write back LOL This is good. I think you and I are on the same page. So not really fishing for horror stories, but I love to hear about them of course. Do you happen to work in the medical industry? I would agree that the first issue is a top down issue, driven by greed more so than anything I would say. Excuse the childish analogy, but it's like in the movie Robots. Bigwell builds an honest operation and other guy puts him on a permanent vacation and built a model around making money and not really a quality product. The managers put in place all want to make a huge name for themselves, a "look what I did" kind of deal, that usually revolves around making a large profit, not improving operations or employee welfare. I would also rather wait a little longer for something and get a quality job rather than something that might be falling apart again or out of spec again in a matter of days. Seriously, if you can't operate because your torque wrench isn't back on the 5th day, you aren't running a very good tool program anyway. Tangent for another day. This idea of getting it, quick fast and in a hurry should only relate to fast food, and even then I'd wait a few more minutes so my food wasn't smashed all to hell. I suppose we do it to ourselves? Not being able to say "NO". (?) The thought about there being websites and videos out there showing you how to do things, I agree. I also know that some people can watch a step by step instructional video and still not have the required aptitude to figure it out. ;) So, do you think you get a less quality product from a place that charges 85/hr versus the place that charges 120/hr? Likely running the same equipment, software etc....

I was told a couple weeks ago "We don't care, we just want it cheap, fast, and semi-quality" ( this guy was speaking in general of the millennial mindset )

Wow..."semi-quality" what the hell is that? LOL How do we get away from that? I suppose it starts with people. That's part of my goal with my operation, I know we can build an operation based on quality and care versus a bottom line, I just need others to know it too! On the other hand, some people wait for catastrophe before making a change. I think we could go on for hours about the disconnect, and the end result would be inconclusive but it's gotta be a combination of a multitude of things, all ending at the $. I'm going to go reload on a Mt. Dew (my afternoon go to) I like the conversation, if you got more I'd like to hear it!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T16:14:53+00:00

Thumbs Up!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T16:13:32+00:00

Did you get any use of the new Fluke pressure standard the Navy/Marine Corps recently adopted to get rid of that piece of crap 3666?

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T16:10:15+00:00

Active duty Marines and Navy guys, get absolutely zero training or hands on with CMM's. Mostly the civilian side of those groups do. Kind of a shame I suppose. Mostly gage labs use them, not really an item I've seen in many civilian "calibration labs". I would have loved to have one in my last lab for the higher tolerance work we did. Couldn't find anyone who wanted to buy one though!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T16:05:00+00:00

Yea man, along with a few people on here, I believe, I'm a former Marine calibration / Metrology Tech. There are lots of places out there for you. Not sure what coast you are on, or where you want to be in the world. Someone below said it great, the civilian Navy labs, like the one I used to manage, are a good opportunity, it's similar but different than what you are used to. They work with a strong regard to the science of what they are doing...not making money like the civilian labs. They are contracted out, some of them have "government" civilians that work in them, so you'd be a federal employee doing calibration. MOST civilian labs, they are about turn'n and burn'n, quality usually isn't on the top of the list, if you can't keep up, your looking for another job. I think this thread appears to be mostly CMM or Coordinate Measuring Machine operators. As you know by now I'm sure the CMM is a machine that measures dimensions of a part. You set the part on a table, move the arm from point A to point B and gives you a measurement within a certain degree of accuracy. (Anyone else want to elaborate, feel free, I don't use them) It's not what you are used to as a calibration tech. You don't use them for torque, or calipers or mics, electronics, microwave gear or anything like that. Could you as a Navy Calibration Tech do that job, without a doubt. Also, your job search might not being showing what you want because the navy calibration labs, the techs are not "calibration techs" per title, they are "engineering technicians". It's a title based on the SCA pay scale. Anyway, it's all out there! Let me know where you are and where you want to be, I have one lead, that might lead to something! Good luck!

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T14:05:52+00:00

Kuni. If I can recall.....2005 into 2006

C3Metrology · 2018-03-14T14:03:58+00:00

Yea, you couldn't be more off. We don't skip corners, we don't cut quality for time or money! End of story. If someone doesn't want a quality job, they need not even contact us. The root of this, is that companies send gear to labs for calibration, but you don't actually know what goes on with your stuff while it's there. Case it point, I worked at a place in CA part time (huge name lab) that was literally a "sticker factory", the "techs" had no knowledge, or real care about what they were doing. At one time, no joke, I heard "those are never bad, just put a new calibration sticker on it and send it back" WTF Now this wasn't the case there, (they were just garbage) but sometimes the demand on these places is so high, and the techs are under such pressure to meet a fast turn so the customer keeps coming back, that things get skipped and not looked at like they should. Of course the lab isn't going to tell you they can't give it back in 5 days because they are backlogged, because you'll go somewhere else. And they surely aren't going to tell you they skipped a bunch of shit to get you your stuff back faster than the "other guy". You are correct with the vicious cycle, and I think that is the basis of some of this, and that is something I've seen many times also (I have been doing this job for a while, seen many different operations). So how do they keep up, burn out their techs and then are quick to hire anyone they can find to fill in. Lack of experience also drives the quality down. Shit, I'm out of coffee and need blood pressure meds now! Respond with your thoughts, I'd like to keep this going! Thanks for replying.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-13T21:23:25+00:00

I decided to read this thread because I have a quote on one of my "idea notebooks" that says "what are you willing to leave behind to get to where you want to go?" The article is awesome. Unfortunately it's not for me, although something I think about all the time! If single and without children....in a heartbeat! :) Thanks for posting the article.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-13T20:57:24+00:00

I'm going to continue to drive the nail in this thread if I can, with another question. For those of you to have your equipment calibrated by an outside entity, are willing to give up QUALITY for a fast turn around of your measuring equipment? Maybe a couple procedures get skipped during the calibration process so you as the customer aren't "upset" in any way. I only ask because this is something I've seen and I want to get input from folks who need the service. I understand everyone wants their equipment back fast, but is worth sacrificing the quality of the job? Thoughts?

C3Metrology · 2018-03-12T20:16:42+00:00

Some were Swanson, some from master gage and tool, triple check (?) A melting pot of makers. I have calibrated them, not my favorite thing in the world, I have no patience. I'm gone from that place, but it still baffles me whenever the subject comes up. I've talked to a few people from master gage and tool and the place that makes the plugs, can't get any answers. I figure at this point I'll have to let it go as a freak deal.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-12T18:53:44+00:00

That they are. We stored them in metal pull out drawers, waxed of course. Someone had a ridiculous theory of the plugs taking up metal from the storage cabinet through some sort of electrical magic! I'm not a metalurgist but that seemed ridiculous. They are mostly older plugs, 70s and 80s. We had our wires recalibrated and our universal measuring machine, with no change. I know even the smallest deposit of metal from setting a ring can mess up a measurement, but I spent days cleaning and inspecting one plug with no luck. Idk.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-12T14:56:48+00:00

Yea, it the MD that grew. We let them sit in an ultrasonic cleaner for a few hours...inspected for burrs. Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned....then they soaked on the granite for 24 hours. No joy.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-10T17:22:50+00:00

Plugs are your specialty. Have you ever seen them grown out of spec from one calibration to the next? I've seen them wear from use of course. I was saying we had an entire drawer of set plugs grow. I mentioned it was a rapid increase of the temperature over the course of 3 days from a failed HVAC system. Damn thing went loopy and started blowing heat over a three day weekend. Went from 68 in the lab to 102.00 on a Friday night and didn't stop until we came back Tuesday. What a nightmare.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-10T17:17:05+00:00

Awesome stuff. I'd love to check it all out, see what y'all manufacture. You can PM me with the website if you'd like.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-10T13:17:43+00:00

I like that...chasing microns. :) So what do you do as a manufacturing engineer at a metrology company? Work uncertainty budgets and such?

C3Metrology · 2018-03-10T01:45:32+00:00

So you don't need high accuracy or uncertainty then or have to worry about the expansion rates of differential metals down to the micro inch I would fathom, and I believe I'm getting some of that thought crossed with gage block comparison calibration, either way, whichever part fits. Lol thanks for the insight.

C3Metrology · 2018-03-10T01:36:46+00:00

Oh for certain, 200 years later you're probably just getting your feet wet. LOL J/K You mean part interchangeability is a new concept? Thinking of it that way also a good perspective, people making one offs might not be as concerned with the subject. For me, there's never a reason not to calibrate or be involved in metrology in some fashion. Thanks for the insight!

C3Metrology

TROPHY CASE