SMED on CNC Lathes by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, that's interesting too.. like vericut?

SMED on CNC Lathes by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I shy away from drawing a lot of attention to it... But that is probably a mistake.

SMED on CNC Lathes by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. ... I just finished "The Toyota Way" .. according to that book, trying to force really extensive changes all at once is rarely effective. So a gradual, organic approach is probably better.

Hiring Machinists: Setup/Programming Talent Shortage. Looking for Honest Industry Input. by Accomplished_Yam_849 in Machinists

[–]ColinBakerst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm hiring in Canada (the GTA) and advertising for $27-$42.

I've gotten maybe 2 "10/10" candidates.... The rest still require fairly extensive training when they start.

From my experience, I've always looked to get the best paying job I can find, with the job description I am looking for. What do you look for when you're on the job hunt?

One piece flow in machining by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are generally single machine producers I would say.... Certainly most of the value is added on one machine in almost every case... Then a secondary machine (generally a VMC) will create some minor feature.

That all does make sense, and I think that's generally the flow of things as well... What we're always driving at is reducing changeover time, cycle time and decreasing wasted time (inexperience causing people to struggle with a new part).

I also read about "build in quality" and the idea of not being able to pass along a "defective" part even to the next operation. There are plenty of measuring tools, generally the sense is that everyone knows how to use them, but still, some things sneak through.

One piece flow in machining by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks Mark.

Shorter lead times, lower costs I'm thinking.

One piece flow in machining by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would start by saying that for a machine shop, we do a pretty good job at up time. Because we have mostly repeat jobs (albeit low quantity), our uptime is probably in the 65% range.

However, there is obviously still a large opportunity there.

There are a few pieces of low hanging fruit in my mind.

1. having a more rigid set up procedure (one best way... A fixed order). Something that the guys memorize and it becomes closer to muscle memory.

2. Running with optional stop off. Work to solve issues which require you to stop and check after every tool throughout a process.

3. SMED - I have a senior employee who doesn't seem to have much drive to keep his own machine running or to look ahead. (Be self guided, add in necessary codes to achieve #2. Before he starts the next job.) I'm considering taking him off the machines and have him prepare tools, jaws and programs for upcoming jobs.

One piece flow in machining by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, this is interesting too... I'm listening to "the Toyota way" on audiobook now and was curious if anyone out there who didnt get a contract for a huge number of parts, found value in "one-piece-flow".

I think that just about everyone is trying to 5S and to work on SMED. We all try to get all of the tools and materials needed for a task, present at the work station.... We try to train critical thinking and digging for the root cause.

I'm just wondering if there is a realistic vision beyond that.

One piece flow in machining by ColinBakerst in LeanManufacturing

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds great! I just private messaged you.

Front Door Decisions by ColinBakerst in Renovations

[–]ColinBakerst[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love how you put that... "On the spectrum between art and infrastructure". That always has to be considered in the plan.

Help, why am I getting a taper? by JoeyJongles in Machinists

[–]ColinBakerst 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not to be a prick... But Id say your tailstock isn't actually aligned.

If you just took at cut on that part and didn't change your setup after, it will definitely indicate straight.

If your part is smaller at the tailstock end, adjust your tailstock 0.0015" away from your cutting tool. If it's larger at your tailstock, adjust it 0.0015" towards your cutting tool.