So I've recently got hired at a RnD shop at a global company which works mainly on prepping equipment for testing and manufacturing smaller prototypes and other bits and bobs that the engineers and testing guys think up.
It's low volume, high mix, and a lot of work on existing parts with repair work thrown in on occation.
I was trained as a machinist 10 years ago, and have a big interest in the field, but it's the first time that I've been involved with machining in a professional setting, I ended up as a welder instead.
However I need to improve *quick* as my two collegues will retire in about 10 months. And in the absolute worst case leaving me alone to run the shop on my own. I'm talking everything from start to finish, handling the customer, programming, ordering tooling, using the machines etc. Almost like a private company, but without the economic risks.
Apart from the training I recieve from the old timers, what should I focus on to improve myself? Any tips and tricks that you wish you knew when starting out?
My collegues are very forthcoming and allow me basically free reign in the shop after I've proven to be competent and safe in handling the machines, and we're currently in a slow period so I'm standing at our CNC lathe and learning to program that, basically reprogramming old jobs, setting up/down the tooling and running the parts. I also rework some jobs manually in order to understand what jobs are quicker/easier to handle that way vs doing everything in the CNC. I'm basically 70% self running at this point (2 months in) and only ask (and get) advice whenever I'm unsure of what I'm doing (which is often). One of the guys are basically always at hand and is extremely helpful and gives pointers and advice whenever he sees something.
I'm willing to work quite a lot to get to a point where I'm confident that I can handle all of this on my own. But the shoes are big, and as one person it feels almost impossible to get to a level of competence where I'm comfortable in time for their retirement. I just want to avoid feeling like I've been thrown into the deep end.
Sorry if this is a bit of a rambling mess, but any and all advice is appreciated...
It's low volume, high mix, and a lot of work on existing parts with repair work thrown in on occation.
I was trained as a machinist 10 years ago, and have a big interest in the field, but it's the first time that I've been involved with machining in a professional setting, I ended up as a welder instead.
However I need to improve *quick* as my two collegues will retire in about 10 months. And in the absolute worst case leaving me alone to run the shop on my own. I'm talking everything from start to finish, handling the customer, programming, ordering tooling, using the machines etc. Almost like a private company, but without the economic risks.
Apart from the training I recieve from the old timers, what should I focus on to improve myself? Any tips and tricks that you wish you knew when starting out?
My collegues are very forthcoming and allow me basically free reign in the shop after I've proven to be competent and safe in handling the machines, and we're currently in a slow period so I'm standing at our CNC lathe and learning to program that, basically reprogramming old jobs, setting up/down the tooling and running the parts. I also rework some jobs manually in order to understand what jobs are quicker/easier to handle that way vs doing everything in the CNC. I'm basically 70% self running at this point (2 months in) and only ask (and get) advice whenever I'm unsure of what I'm doing (which is often). One of the guys are basically always at hand and is extremely helpful and gives pointers and advice whenever he sees something.
I'm willing to work quite a lot to get to a point where I'm confident that I can handle all of this on my own. But the shoes are big, and as one person it feels almost impossible to get to a level of competence where I'm comfortable in time for their retirement. I just want to avoid feeling like I've been thrown into the deep end.
Sorry if this is a bit of a rambling mess, but any and all advice is appreciated...