Welcome to nostr, this is a great place!
I talked with a friend in the Air Force engines shops this afternoon.
What he told me should scare everyone!
We were talking about the drain of skills that we are experiencing. He said we are about 5 years away from all of the old school machinists being gone.
Due to retirement, etc.
5 years!
Those skills are not being replaced!
This is a slow motion train wreck happening in aviation MRO.
You need those skills for the overhaul of engines that are 40+ years old.
#grownostr #engineernostr
The Reality of 3-D Printing in Manufacturing and Repair
3-D printing, often hailed as a revolutionary technology, has stirred up high hopes in manufacturing over the past several years. But are these expectations being met? Let's dive in.
The truth is, 3-D printing has been oversold to the manufacturing and repair communities.
High Expectations, But Limited Results:
In the beginning, 3-D printing was touted as the future of part creation. The US Air Force and other industries invested heavily in this technology, hoping for groundbreaking advancements.
However, over the years, many of these promises have gone unfulfilled. While some progress has been made in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) world in aviation, especially with plastic interior aircraft panels, the production of complex metal parts remains a challenge.
The grand visions of widespread use in manufacturing haven't been realized.
A Few Bright Spots:
3-D printing has not been a complete letdown. It has shown promise in certain areas, such as sand casting. 3-D printed sand molds have proven to be incredibly useful, saving significant production time, especially for one-off cast parts.
Additionally, it has excelled in creating custom fixtures for machining and custom tooling.
Future Potential:
While 3-D printing may not have lived up to the initial hype, it's essential to acknowledge that it has the potential to evolve and become a valuable tool in manufacturing and repair in the future.
As technology advances and we overcome current limitations, we may yet see the promises fulfilled.
It's important to recognize that 3-D printing has its place and can bring significant benefits, but its widespread application in manufacturing and repair has been overstated, leading to disappointment for many.
In summary, the 3-D printing revolution has faced some setbacks in meeting the high expectations set for it in manufacturing and repair. While there have been promising developments in certain areas, the technology has fallen short of becoming the ultimate solution it was once thought to be.
However, the future still holds the potential for 3-D printing to become a valuable asset in these industries, but it's essential to approach it with realistic expectations.
Let me know your experience with 3-D printing in the comments.
#grownostr #engeneernostr #3Dprinting
At least they are getting the clue. Cheers!
I am praying for you! I know how you may feel. Surgery is rough… on everything.
Man, I wish it was only five minutes!
Laser pointers shined on the floor drives then nuts. Also, YouTube has bird videos for cats. They are like 2 hours long.
Good morning nostr!
The Good Lord made you with purpose.
Cheers!
#grownostr #coffeechain
Just changed my avatar and banner. May not look the same...
Loved "The Shop Rat" but... It was possibly copy-written for what I wanted to do.
However, I'm still here!!!
Your companies production directly relies on skills, not technology.
That $$$ machine doesn’t run by itself.
That bread doesn’t get baked by itself either.
It takes people to make it move or get sold.
Yet, the most neglected asset a company has is skills.
Invest in people…
Aspiring engineers and designers, here's a skill you can't afford to overlook!
In manufacturing and repair settings, the precision of measurements is a cornerstone of success.
Here's why it's imperative:
- Accurate measurements underpin the production of high-quality and usable parts.
- Skillful selection of instruments like micrometers, borescopes, and pin gauges is crucial for precision.
- Assumptions about measurements can lead to costly errors; always verify your work and others.
- It's the responsibility of engineers to facilitate accurate measurements for quality assurance.
Imagine being the engineer who knows how to deliver precision and quality on the shop floor.
Recognize the importance of precise measurement.
Know how to select the right tools, consistently verify your measurements, and play your part in ensuring top-notch quality. Start today.
I really need to stop tapping the post button twice and three times. Damus likes to hang up at times… and you get numerous posts from me that are the same. Sorry…