We're talking 836 flame cut to Inconel, layout inspectors and remarkable company culture at this aircraft support equipment manufacturing company. Welcome to Skillcraft Machine Tool where leadership prioritizes the work culture and environment of their employees. Their objective is to ensure their machinists have everything they need to do a great job. That includes everything from hard and soft skills, to healthy communication styles and leading by motivating.
Like most in the metalworking industry these days, Skillcraft needs established machinists. With 30 employees and growing, their solution has been their started apprenticeship program. That's the future for Skillcraft, training up their employees through an in house apprenticeship program.
Alright now some technical, in this 20,000 square foot facility the focus is low volume parts. All programming is happening at the machine. Why? The volume is low and there isn't repeat work so it works best. Doesn't make sense to add upfront cost. Downside? Hard to find people who can make a part with only one try. They only get one shot. Machinists at Skillcraft might go from a chuck set up to a collet setup back to a collet setup all in one day.
Workflow and organization is huge at Skillcraft. Everything is standardized to be the most efficient they possibly can. From their station tooling, inspection equipment and even inside the machines.
We hit a lot of topics. Use the timestamps below to find what you're looking for!
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Material storage and organization, material tracking
04:34 Implementing an ERP system and challenges
06:31 Saw cutting
06:47 Lathe section
09:27 Inspection stations throughout the shop for toolmakers
10:15 Glenn, apprentice graduate working on a thread gauge on the Fryer Lathe.
11:40 Pratt and Whitney Lathe
12:23 1945 machine, oldest machine in shop
14:44 Mill line.
17:30 Tooling organization from carbide tooling to regrinds.
19:03 Wire EDM Machine
19:50 Deburring area to meet edge break requirements and micro finishes
20:24 Full time qualifying team and layout inspection
21:31 Finishing processes and assemblies
23:21 Secondary operations
26:37 In house made sine plate
29:13 Optimizing processes. (process improvement) Cutting half hour off of an hour long job.
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