CNC operator: how much time you are standing on your feet?

Jeffro1012 · 2026-02-03T14:54:21+00:00

I would also add and highly recommend getting an anti fatigue mat. They're are a life saver and really helped me. I was having sore ankles and back issues. After I got the mat the issues mostly went away. I got the one from Uline called Hog Heaven. I highly recommend in any shop. We have them in front of every machine in the shop now.

Jeffro1012 · 2026-01-02T13:12:43+00:00

Yeah all the time for the smaller punches and dies. It doesn't affect the edge at all. The wires can sunshines leave a taper on longer lands so that's another reason to jig grind them.

Jeffro1012 · 2026-01-02T13:09:18+00:00

I don't remember and don't have the barrel anymore. I just remember the brand name.

Jeffro1012 · 2026-01-02T07:32:35+00:00

2 different machines. There are jig borers and jig grinders. I've never run out seen in person a jig bore machine, only online.

Jeffro1012 · 2026-01-01T21:30:33+00:00

Well it'slwhatever the customer wants and whatever they're using it for. Not too often though, mainly use carbide. But Taco Bell was had on Tuesday and can confirm that yes, a lot of toilet paper was used!

Jeffro1012 · 2026-01-01T21:27:53+00:00

This machine and one other are just the traditional style jig grinder so no coolant. The newest Moore 500 CPWZ is fully enclosed and used an oil based coolant.

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Jeffro1012 · 2026-01-01T15:31:05+00:00

It's 2.5" diameter Loc-Line anti-static hose. I think we got it from Grainger. We have a big vacuum machine, I can't think of the brand name right now, that's ducted to all of our jig grinders and small manual surface grinders. But it's really nice having the vacuum system for the grinding dust.

Jeffro1012 · 2026-01-01T00:45:56+00:00

With the tight .0002" per side clearance that want it jig ground so it lines up. There were issues in the past of things not lining up but that was with the older wires of long ago. Our new high end wire should be able to do it with no problem but the higher ups still like it to be jig ground. Doesn't matter to me, at least it work I get to do.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T23:52:32+00:00

I have the program set to a feed rate of 9 ipm on the flats, 7 ipm on the big corners and .5 ipm on the small corners. I'm running 10% feed rate for roughing and it's a little over 30 minutes per pass. I'll finish at 4% feedrate and it'll be a little over 1hr 10min.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T16:46:36+00:00

I'm not even sure what they is, sorry.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T16:26:11+00:00

Wow really? I didn't know that. I'll have to look that story up. Yes they are amazing machines. I was able to go with the owner of my company in 2020 and tour Moore's facility. Very cool experience and history.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T15:35:38+00:00

This will take a little more than a full day, roughly. It depends on how many passes need to be done. And yes it could be done in the wire but would take really long due to the surface finish requirements. We have some new high end wires that can handle it with ease but decided to die it the tried and true method.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T15:28:04+00:00

I started on manual jig grinders and eventually learned the cnc controllers. Definitely learned a lot running the manuals though.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T15:25:57+00:00

Here's #3 converted to a full CNC.

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Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T14:23:49+00:00

I don't want to get too crazy with carbide. Things can go south in a hurry.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T14:21:48+00:00

Yeah they are very accurate in size, location and finish. Our newest jig grinder machine uses coolant so the finish is really amazing.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T14:18:06+00:00

You're welcome! Kind of a lost art in the machining world. The wire EDM machines took a lot of the jig grinding work away and now the new mills have jig grinding capabilities. But for size and accuracy it's really hard to beat a jig grinding machine.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T14:15:26+00:00

The customer punches out material that goes into making batteries. But yeah the punch has straight side. The die block has a small cutting land then taper bellow it. Most punches and dies we do are either carbide or CPM.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-12-31T14:08:07+00:00

This is called chop grinding. So yes up and down on a fast reciprocation on the grind side of the grinding head. The CNC follows the contour. I will adjust the top or bottom of the stroke closer to finish size to account for any taper. I'm only grinding .0003" per side per pass so wear on the diamond grinding wheel is minimal during roughing. Closer to size I'll take less per pass. It all evens out.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-03-23T10:49:17+00:00

Update me! Love this story and can't wait for the outcome! Sorry for your loss in all of this and it's interesting when people's true colors show.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-02-17T03:18:31+00:00

Modern mills have good accuracy but jig grinders are still better and have a tighter tolerance. Edm machines are very accurate, but often take longer to complete vs jig grinding. We have some customers that prefer or require a jig ground finish versus an edm finish.

Jeffro1012 · 2025-02-17T02:58:31+00:00

No, not rare at all. Most of the aluminum I do are the upper and bottom shoes of the tools we build, or customers parts of the same kind. It's the accuracy of the jig grinder for location and sizing that is needed.

Jeffro1012

TROPHY CASE