October 2024

At IMTS 2024 in Chicago, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ian Sandusky, a prominent content creator for Practical Machinist. He shared valuable insights on how machinists at any level can enhance their skills.

Check out these 5 great points Ian made highlighting strategies that can help professional machinists improve their craft and stay ahead of the curve!

1.) Engage with the Community

For novice machinists, Ian emphasized the importance of networking: “The number one thing you should do is get involved with talking to other machinists.” He suggested joining trade organizations or finding a local maker space to expose yourself to new techniques and ideas. Building connections within the community not only fosters learning but also creates a supportive network that can be invaluable, especially early in a career.

2.) Cross-Training

Ian also addressed intermediate skill-level machinists, recommending that they diversify their skill sets: “If I’m a machinist, and I’m really good at mill, well now I should be looking at a lathe or maybe something completely outside of machining, like welding.” By cross-training, machinists can become more versatile and valuable around the shop, and it may help open more career opportunities. A willingness to learn new skills is always good for personal and professional development.

3.) Stay Current on New Tools and Technology

For seasoned professionals, Ian advised staying informed about technological advancements: “If you stay up to date with advances in technology as the years go by, it’s a lot less of a challenge when you need to retrain or learn new software.” Familiarizing yourself with the latest tools and software can ease transitions and reduce the learning curve with new systems.

4.) Have an Open Mind

Ian encouraged all machinists, regardless of their skill-level, to always keep an open mind: “One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a machinist or manufacturing professional is thinking the way you do it is the only way it can be done.” By learning alternate methods, you may find an easier, safer, or quicker way to accomplish the same thing. It may even solve a problem you’ve been approaching wrong all along.

5.) Attend Trade Shows and Seek Information

How do you apply your open mind and stay current? Ian suggests, “Go and seek that information. Attend trade shows, go online and read forums, read manuals.” School may be out, but there is always something new to learn. Stay hungry for new information that can help you be a better machinist.

An Ongoing Process

Becoming a great machinist doesn’t happen overnight, it’s an ongoing process. Whether you are just starting out or you’re a master craftsman, there is always room for growth. By connecting with others, cross-training, staying updated, and leveraging available resources, machinists can significantly enhance their craft, and find even more fulfillment in their career.

Check out Ian’s interview, hear from a FlexTrades Machinist, or find more great content on our YouTube page!

A leading aerospace parts manufacturer was facing a growing challenge: a shortage of skilled tradespeople in their local labor market. This lack of talent was hindering their ability to meet production demands and maintain their competitive edge. As a long-standing client, the company knew they could rely on FlexTrades to address their production challenges. FlexTrades responded swiftly by deploying Veronica, a skilled Assembly Test Operator, to fill the gap in production.

Veronica’s contributions to the company were instrumental in driving efficiency and meeting production goals. One notable achievement was her role in helping the team reach the ambitious target of completing 50 NF3 motors in a week. Her expertise and dedication were instrumental in achieving this milestone.

Impressed by Veronica’s performance, and the team’s overall drive and efficiency, the company treated them to a team dinner as a token of appreciation. This gesture highlighted the positive impact that FlexTrades’ skilled tradespeople can have on a company’s operations.

Key Benefits

Rapid Deployment: FlexTrades’ ability to quickly mobilize skilled tradespeople ensured that the client’s production needs were met promptly.
Enhanced Efficiency: Veronica’s expertise and dedication contributed to increased efficiency and productivity.
Goal Achievement: The team’s successful completion of 50 NF3 motors in a week demonstrated their ability to meet challenging targets.

Conclusion

The case study demonstrates the value of partnering with a production solutions provider like FlexTrades. By leveraging Veronica’s expertise, the aerospace parts manufacturer overcame the challenges posed by a shortage of skilled labor and achieved significant improvements in production efficiency and output.

Twelve years ago, in 2012, the Fabricators and Manufacturers’ Association (FMA) founded Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). MFG Day is a national movement to show the public (students, parents, and all others) just what modern manufacturing is all about because as they say, “It’s not your father’s machine shop anymore”. MFG Day is always the first Friday in October so this year we are celebrating all things manufacturing on October 4, 2024.

In addition to MFG Day, many states and manufacturing associations (including the International Trade Administration) consider the first week in October National Manufacturing Week or the entire month of October Manufacturing Month. But it doesn’t stop there for FlexTrades, we celebrate manufacturing all year long and hope you will too.

Below are ways in which you can do so!

Open your manufacturing doors to the public. You can find tips and tricks to do so
1. If you’re an employee, encourage your employer to open their doors!
Partake in trade shows as a visitor or manufacturer. Here’s a list of this year’s tradeshows, with a few left that you could still attend.
Visit or participate in a tour (or two) of manufacturing facilities. Find events to attend or ways to host an event at com
Know the industrial revolutions to understand how manufacturing has changed and why it’s so great!
Talk to the kids you know and tell them what’s it like, share your knowledge of manufacturing and discuss the vast opportunities within a manufacturing career. Show them some of these great How It’s Made videos so time on their electronics is also spent learning!
Share positive messages about manufacturing on your social media accounts.
Follow and reshare positive messages from manufacturers and those in manufacturing on your social media accounts.
Shop and buy American made products.
Donate or volunteer to the Nuts and Bolts Foundation (also known as Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs ® – NBT). NBT is on a mission to bridge the skills gap in manufacturing, keep American manufacturing alive and strong, and provide students the opportunity to learn how they can do great things working in manufacturing.
Donate your time and knowledge by visiting technical or trade schools to spread awareness about manufacturing and opportunities in manufacturing. Bring brochures with you (here’s an example).
Encourage your coworkers or employees to share their own stories with each other.
Curate an Employee Appreciation Day – managers can genuinely thank their workforce, provide pizza for lunch, organize a cookout, send thank you cards, give gift cards, sponsor a team outing, or film a video of thanks. The options are endless.

And as you celebrate, keep in mind the words of Alan Mulally, an American aerospace engineer and manufacturing executive, former executive vice president of Boeing, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and former President and Chief Executive Office of the Ford Motor Company. Alan is well versed in manufacturing and once said:

“No country is every successful in the long term…without a really strong and vibrant manufacturing base”.

Happy MFG Day (or week or month)!

Each year, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), which takes place on the first Friday of October. Often, this celebration extends throughout the entire month, highlighting the significance of the manufacturing industry.

What is Manufacturing Day?

The inception of Manufacturing Day dates back to 2012 when the Fabricators and Manufacturers’ Association (FMA) joined hands with leaders from the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP). The brainchild behind this initiative was Ed Youdell, the President & CEO of FMA. Beginning as a modest concept, they conducted a pilot effort in the Midwest on the first Friday of October in 2012. As the years went by, the success of this day prompted them to collaborate with the National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) in 2016, who took the helm of the initiative. Thanks to NAM’s extensive network through The Manufacturing Institute, the event flourished. In just seven years, it expanded from around 240 events primarily in the Midwest to encompass more than 325,000 students, teachers, and parents participating in over 3,000 events across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

How Can You Celebrate Manufacturing Day?

For Manufacturers:

Conduct Manufacturing Tours: Organize manufacturing tours within your facility. These tours can be in-person or virtual, making them accessible to individuals of all ages.
Educational Fair or Expo: Collaborate with other manufacturers in your area to host an educational fair or expo. Create informative displays, offer hands-on activities or demonstrations, and promote the event with giveaways.
Engage with Local Schools: Reach out to local schools, whether they are elementary, middle, high school, or technical colleges. Deliver presentations on the advantages of a career in manufacturing, highlighting earning opportunities, advancement prospects, and more. Foster enthusiasm among students.
Employee Appreciation: Celebrate your dedicated workforce. Show your gratitude by providing donuts, a pizza lunch, or a cookout for your employees. Express your thanks through cards, gift cards, or small tokens that convey your appreciation.
Social Media Acknowledgment: Share your appreciation on social media. Celebrate the manufacturing industry and your workforce with a heartfelt message of gratitude for their daily contributions that drive American manufacturing forward.

For Individuals:

Attend Manufacturing Tours: Attend manufacturing tours in your local area, whether in-person or virtual. These tours provide a valuable glimpse into the world of manufacturing.
Job Exploration: Approach your employer and inquire about participating in Manufacturing Day activities. Explore different areas of your workplace and spend the day learning about roles you may not have encountered before.
Educational Videos: Watch informative “How It Works” videos related to manufacturing processes. Share your favorite videos with friends and colleagues to spread awareness.
Engage the Next Generation: If you have children in your life, engage in meaningful conversations about manufacturing while enjoying ice cream. Show them videos and emphasize that it offers a viable career path with substantial earning potential and room for growth.
Educational Games: Introduce youngsters to educational games like the Manufacturing Institute’s Smart MFG 2 App, where kids can design and manufacture a drone. Additionally, consider playing board games like “The Manufacturing Game.” You can also explore a variety of factory simulation games.

There are numerous ways to celebrate Manufacturing Day, and the ones mentioned here are just a few examples. As you celebrate the manufacturing industry, its dedicated professionals, and those working tirelessly to drive it forward, remember that you can promote and celebrate it not only on one designated day but throughout the entire year!

A leading company specializing in remote-handling automation solutions was facing significant challenges at one of their facilities. High turnover rates and a tight local labor market made it difficult to recruit and retain skilled CNC Machinists. Additionally, the company needed someone who could quickly ramp up and be flexible with working day and night shifts. To address these challenges, the company turned to FlexTrades for assistance. FlexTrades, swiftly deployed Douglas, a highly skilled CNC Machinist.

Douglas quickly adapted to the company’s requirements and effectively worked through the backlog of orders. His expertise and efficiency were instrumental in improving productivity and meeting production deadlines. In addition to his technical skills, Douglas also demonstrated a strong ability to streamline production. He was able to reduce the number of necessary machining operations by 20%, saving the company both time and money.

Key Benefits

Rapid Deployment: FlexTrades’ ability to quickly mobilize skilled tradespeople ensured that the client’s production needs were met promptly.
Skill and Flexibility: Douglas’s expertise and adaptability were essential in addressing the company’s specific challenges.
Process Improvement: By streamlining production, Douglas contributed to increased efficiency and cost savings.

The case study demonstrates the value of partnering with a production solutions provider like FlexTrades. By leveraging FlexTrades’ expertise, the company was able to overcome challenges related to skill shortages and improve operational efficiency. Douglas’s contributions were instrumental in addressing the company’s specific needs and achieving positive results. ‘

If you’re interested in discovering how FlexTrades can help keep your facility running smoothly, reach out to us today.

As a Technical Manager at FlexTrades, I don’t work on the production or manufacturing floor, but I do work very closely with those who do. I love learning about the various production and manufacturing processes that directly affect my life as a consumer and user. With that said, there are two types of production and manufacturing: Discrete Manufacturing & Process Manufacturing. I’m here to tell you all about them!

Discrete Manufacturing

Discrete Manufacturing is the process of adding individual parts and components into one system or structure to create a final product. The parts and components can be individual in nature or a sub-assembly of the final product.

For example: Consider the manufacturing of a vehicle. Each section of a vehicle is individual in nature and created via machining, assembly, or welding operations (tire, engine, side panel, bumper, seats, steering wheel, wiring). These sections may come as one unit (side panel) or as an assembly (engine). These components or assemblies are then put together in a sequential manner to build the final product (vehicle). Additionally, we can easily disassemble the final product to determine and identify the individual components or assemblies used to create it.

Common job titles include: Warehouse Operators, Machine Operators, Machinists, Assemblers, Welders, Quality Inspectors.

Process Manufacturing

Process Manufacturing is manufacturing that occurs in bulk quantities, such as pharmaceuticals, paints, foods, and beverages. In this process, there is a chemical conversion occurring among ingredients rather than materials. This process is based on formulas and recipes. Unlike discrete manufacturing, it is difficult to identify the individual parts that make up the final product. Additionally, the ingredients that make up the product are difficult to disassemble and reuse.

For example: Consider the manufacturing of shampoo. There are a multitude of ingredients in shampoo including water, detergents, surfactants, polymers, silicones, a wide variety of preservatives, fragrances, dyes, and many other additives or preservatives. The average shampoo has 10-30 ingredients. This multitude of ingredients are poured into batch tanks, mixed and blended, heated and cooled in a formulaic and sequential manner, and then packaged. Unlike the vehicle in the example above, once the shampoo is blended, it’s difficult to separate the ingredients to determine the individual ingredients utilized to make it.

Common job titles include: Line Operators, Machine Operators, Warehouse Operators, Batch Makers, Process Technicians, Compounders, Mixers, Packers, Quality Control Inspectors.

As I said, I don’t work directly on a manufacturing floor, but manufacturing is great nonetheless. If you’re thinking about working in manufacturing, check out this video about Manufacturing Positions and Careers!

1.) Engage with the Community

2.) Cross-Training

3.) Stay Current on New Tools and Technology

4.) Have an Open Mind

5.) Attend Trade Shows and Seek Information

An Ongoing Process

Key Benefits

Conclusion

What is Manufacturing Day?

How Can You Celebrate Manufacturing Day?

Key Benefits

Discrete Manufacturing

Process Manufacturing

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