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52 MoldMaking Technology —— SEPTEMBER 2017 SKILLS CENTER mold shop. Moldmakers do not use lathes often in the shop other than for special applications. Still, taking the time to learn how to turn an accurate part properly and pick up some additional skills is worth the effort, particularly when there isn't time to special order a part. The basics of learning the engine lathe should include mastering all drilling operations: facing, turning a diameter, turning a taper, and internal and external threading and boring. #1 EDM Brand in the US & Abroad ALN Series Our Future Is Here. Create Your Future. Westec Booth #715 Sept. 12th - 14th, 2017 Sodick is proud to be the #1 selling EDM brand in the United States, and worldwide. Our dedication to quality and reliability has led us to be the name most trusted by you, the EDM user. The ALN series is our most popular line of Wire EDM to date, with the latest generator and control, as well as an automatic drop tank for easy setup. Visit us at Westec 2017 to learn more about Sodick Wire EDM and Sinker EDM, and explore our newest tecnology, Metal 3D Printing, on our OPM machine. To learn more about the ALN and other Sodick Wire EDM technologies, email Sales@sodick.com or call us at: (847) 310 9000 www.sodick.com Automatic 3-Sided Drop Tank Designed for easy setups, the ALN Series comes with a 3-sided automatic drop tank, providing full access to the work table. The water level automatically fills to the upper guide position for ease of use. Fixed-Jet Annealing AWT The FJ-AWT is Sodick's most reliable threader, annealing a length of wire to ensure straightness. The ALN is capable of threading submerged or unsubmerged, with jet or jetless. Rigid Linear Motors Sodick's patented Rigid Linear Motors are the first linear drives designed for EDM. With flat magnets mounted directly into the machine castings, Sodick's proprietary design ensures friction-free drive motion that maintains accuracy for 10 years and beyond. Sales@sodick.com (847) 310 9000 Surface grinder. The surface grinder is my final recom- mendation for manual machine training because it gives the machinist an appreciation for accuracy, tolerances and surface finish. At a minimum, the student should learn to dress a wheel with a diamond dresser, set up a job, block the job in when necessary, square a block with or without using an angle plate, set up and grind angles with a sine plate and grind pins. Projects are key for helping students learn the skills required on each indi- vidual machine. Many shop classes have students make 1-2-3 blocks, angle plates, hammer heads and hammer handles, which end up as useful tools in the shop. I strongly encourage one functional project that requires the use of all the machines, like a precision vise, for example. This teaches stu- dents the importance of tolerances and requires them to manufacture compli- mentary parts that must function with other parts. The vise requires squared blocks, milled and surface ground angles, a threaded rod and numerous other details that incorporate manual machining skills on multiple machines. The multitude of variables involved in running a manual machine also teaches students to problem solve logi- cally. Above all, running manual equip- ment teaches students patience, which in turn teaches students the appropri- ate use of aggression and finesse when machining. After years of teaching, I can say that everything students learn on a manual machine will translate to improved skills on a CNC machine as a moldmaker, designer or engineer. FOR MORE INFORMATION Praeco Skills LLC 616-951-2133 ryan@praecoskills.com praecoskills.com LEARN MORE For more from Ryan Pohl about on-the-floor learning, visit short.moldmakingtechnology.com/floor