Page 40 - EDM Today Spring 2025

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but this was not to be my destiny. Instead, I discovered
things I enjoyed even more. Let’s examine this “old say-
ing” progression to see where it can lead. Starting with...

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW...
Although this is obviously a very basic requirement, it is
seldom rewarded its full worth. I’ll explain.
One might be the most skilled, talented and experienced
EDM Today Magazine
but every one of us were once shop guys or EDM EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today Magazine promotions, without larger, public exposure, you might
toolmaker, imaginative designer or engineer in the whole
building. Except for regular pay raises and possible
never advance beyond your vocation or deserved
potential even if you wanted to.
Our own Brian Pfl uger of Makino has been a long-time
contributor and now graces our growing masthead,
Example: I’ve already defi ned that we were amongst the
along with another EDM Today contributor who is now
most skilled, experienced (and highly paid) toolmakers
positioned on the very top of our masthead, EDM Today’s
in the shop and everyone knew that the precision we
new and third Publisher and Managing Editor, Joe Ballek.
NOTE: (Not one of us have had training in journalism,
However, as “shop guys,” we were also quite conscious
of the Christmas parties and other events that didn’t
Applications Engineers). produced daily was the engine that drove the company.
include us. After these, we heard stories of how all of the
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execs, sales and staff got trips to Hawaii, Vegas, sets of
Dan Tomlin, PhD (formerly of GE and the patent holder
golf clubs, fi shing expeditions, expensive whiskey, etc.
of Black Sabre EDM wire using graphite), was an early
contributor, and to my knowledge, is the only one
This was a schism that felt unfair, uncomfortable and
of us who carried such credentials; (with a belated
eventually unacceptable. Ok...so how do we progress?
“Thank you” also to Dr. Dan).
IT’S WHO YOU KNOW
MY POINT?
With a single exception, everyone listed above came out
you know is gained by your public exposure and is a
of a shop and/or were once Applications Engineers at
necessary springboard to arrive at the fi nal stage in my
some point in their evolving careers. Unlike others, they This becomes as important as “What you know.” Who
modifi ed version of this “old saying.”
were also AE’s who, fortunately for us, managed to take
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the time to write or speak and share their knowledge and
Be curious about everything. Talk to everyone who will
is why you know their names now. I believe that anyone
listen. Ask many questions of every supplier, whether
profi cient in EDM can manage to do this and contribute
it be your raw
in their own way also.
materials
supplier, heat-
Not that any of us mentioned had any aspirations of
treat service,
writing or speaking to become rich or famous (and I’d
machine-tool,
strongly dispel any such notions or expectations of
tooling and
either). Instead, we have collectively advanced and better
secured our own careers within the “sport” of EDM and
salesmen,
its better acceptance into manufacturing by sharing our
EDM-related or
collective knowledge and experiences, whether it be die/ consumables
not. Establish
mold, aerospace, power-gen, prototype or production.
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as many
relationships
as you can.
AN OLD SAYING, MODIFIED
Attend trade shows and conferences to meet-and-greet
Everyone knows the old saying of, “It’s not what you
booth attendees and speakers. Witness machine and
know, it’s who you know.” Even as a young man, I learned
tooling demonstrations. Collect as many brochures and
of this early and fully understood what this meant, but I
business cards as you can, as almost all of them might
also found it quite frustrating and limiting.
be future technical references should you have the need
As a 20-year Journeyman Toolmaker, I was already
among the most skilled, knowledgeable and experienced
Now you are better equipped to use these connections
employee within the company, but without public expo- to call upon them. And you will. (Continued on page 41)
to approach others within your industry for their further
sure or what is called “networking” today, I would have
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information, advice and guidance. This allows you to
remained in a toolroom which I very much enjoyed,
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