Back to school--anyone else?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Several Japanese companies require their engineers t work on the factory floor for a year before they start as engineers. Seems like a smart practice to me.

Which is such an amazingly excellent and simple idea. Too bad most American companies don’t have the patience or foresight to do so. The best engineers I have worked with started their career in the blue collar world. Or maybe I’m just biased having started my life in the workforce as a mechanic and construction worker.

It’s not to the scale of some of you, but I’ve been working on my MBA and will finish it next semester (thank God). It’s been up and down in terms of the actual value I feel it has provided, but from a career standpoint I doubt I’ll ever regret it.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

As for courses I'd like to do a 50 cal sniper shooting...

If you ever find yourself in the States, I can help with this one.

(Gotta love that Constitution thingy.)

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Several Japanese companies require their engineers t work on the factory floor for a year before they start as engineers. Seems like a smart practice to me.

I work for as a prototype engineer for a Japenese company, and have to work closely with new product engineers that have never turned a wrench in their short lives, but have all sorts of book smarts on how to accomplish difficult projects. I worked 15 years on the factory floor before being promoted to this position, but the new guys (and gals) coming in don't want to soil their hands, or fancy clothes.

I have always said that every employee should spend a year on the floor with the common folk.

[cabmandone]

Imagine how practical things would be if the engineers had to actually work on the things they designed!
As for the thread subject, haven't done it but would love to take some cooking classes at some point.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by legion

If you ever find yourself in the States, I can help with this one.

(Gotta love that Constitution thingy.)

thanks legion, if I'm in your neck of the woods I'll be sure to take you up on your kind offer

[speeder]

I'm always thinking about going back to school to learn some new trade. I'd really like to learn to weld but probably not for a career at this point. It's never too late and at 62, you could work for several years more.

One of the automotive machinists I use is in his very late '70s and I just dropped-off a diesel cylinder head w him the other day. He graduated from Hollywood HS in 1960 and then had his own shop in Hollywood for decades. Talk about living through the golden age of hotrods and muscle cars...he's had a blast.

Although we are talking about learning trades, my sister is back in school @ age 55 getting her Masters in Public Health in an accelerated University program. She is an MD who recently dissolved her partnership in a very successful medical group and could retire but wants to keep working, though she was burnt-out on the job she had. A complete career change @55! She is my inspiration.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Which is such an amazingly excellent and simple idea. Too bad most American companies don’t have the patience or foresight to do so. The best engineers I have worked with started their career in the blue collar world. Or maybe I’m just biased having started my life in the workforce as a mechanic and construction worker.

It’s not to the scale of some of you, but I’ve been working on my MBA and will finish it next semester (thank God). It’s been up and down in terms of the actual value I feel it has provided, but from a career standpoint I doubt I’ll ever regret it.

Congrats! It will probably pay off bigly.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Jeff--from what you have described, AOG must have been a complete blast.

When I was the procurement manager for the KHI package on the 777 (mid-fuselage, keel beam, wing ribs, and cargo door), I got really interested in fabrication, tooling, and trouble-shooting. Here is a little vial of the first chips KHI cut on that airplane, which they presented with much fanfare, and which is one of my treasured possessions.

That is just so awesome, in the most nerdly kind of way. One would just about have to be an airplane guy, a machinist, or something like that to recognize a bottle of chips for what it really is - a treasured souvenir representing a very satisfying, real life accomplishment. I love the fact that all of the chips and splinters are in a jar - most of mine came home embedded under she skin in my fingers, or elsewhere. I like yours better.

Originally Posted by madcorgi

On the first couple airplanes, we had a terrible time getting the door cutouts made by KHI to fit the doors (made by Mitsubishi) within the 3-axis adjustment tolerances. The door chief mechanic on the line--a nasty, chaw-chewing redneck--used to call me up and scream at me to get out there and see the latest offense. Eventually I coordinated a field trip to KHI so he and they could work it out. It was a comical east meets west situation. The mech and I got to be friends during that experience-- I admired the way he was such a perfectionist. And and I got to learn a lot about how things designed in CATIA didn't always work in the factory.

Definitely looking forward to the class.

Hah - I think I know that guy... and hundreds more just like him. God bless 'em, every ornery goddamned one of 'em. And yes, they will certainly never hold back when it comes time to offer their well considered opinions, on the parts on hand or the guys who came up with them. I kind of miss being around those guys.

[brainz01]

I'm fascinated by machining and fabrication. It's only a hobby for me, but I could see it being a business at some point in my life.

I bought a used Enco 9x20 lathe off of Craigslist a couple years back and have really enjoyed having it in the garage. Once you've got a lathe (or access to one) there's a world of stuff you can make or modify, particularly for cars. You can't help but look around and admire how different machined parts were made and what setups were used to get to the end product.

I'd love to get a mill too. Someday...

[BlueWing]

Great go for it. I am facinated by machining. If my eyes were good I would do the same.

At 47 I entered the IBEW Apprentship Program, the other 40 or so in the class were in their early/mid twenties. Was interesting and became an Inside Wireman Journeyman/Technician.

My daughter graduated college the same year and I was a voulenteer ref for volleyball so I ended that and enrolled in a local community college to do their welding class. That was a blast and wish I could practice more.

If my eyes were better I would be back to school for something always liked the school structure to learn but apply lifes lessons to further apply it.

Former life was a Locksmith/Security Technician.

Terry

[wswartzwel]

Originally Posted by brainz01

I'm fascinated by machining and fabrication. It's only a hobby for me, but I could see it being a business at some point in my life.

I bought a used Enco 9x20 lathe off of Craigslist a couple years back and have really enjoyed having it in the garage. Once you've got a lathe (or access to one) there's a world of stuff you can make or modify, particularly for cars. You can't help but look around and admire how different machined parts were made and what setups were used to get to the end product.

I'd love to get a mill too. Someday...

For me it is just a fun hobby. I have a little Southbend 9X48 at my business shop for light work, but this big dinosaur I have at my home shop is so much fun. I too am looking for a mill.

[brainz01]

Drool.... I think you could chuck my lathe in that one! I wish I had the space.

Here's my crowning achievement as a hobby machinist. Anyone know what the brass parts are? Hint: it's for a Porsche.


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by brainz01

Here's my crowning achievement as a hobby machinist. Anyone know what the brass parts are? Hint: it's for a Porsche.

Pedal cluster pivots?

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

CAD covers a multitude of fabrication disciplines as you know.

My company designs, tools, makes and assembles composite, fiberglass, metal and other component structures.

Learn how to CAD a build-able design...learn how to design then build the tooling to MAKE the design: That is the single most difficult issue we have with folks who have learned CAD without practical build experience.

A Side/B Side for tooling, laps, loft, etc., etc. Because it looks good in CAD doesn't mean it can be made.

We have designed a ducted fan UAS (I wish I could show you the CAD) that we sent to our tooling guru in Wisconsin - special tool for the duct, we do most of our own work but this was very complicated in terms of tooling design and tolerances.

My partner, a very experienced CAD guy, was a bit chagrined when the tooling guru found some issues.

Take the journey.

I learned machining first, cad second.

Very glad I did it in that order.