Page 43 - EDM Today Spring 2025

old saying that worked well for me, which I call... EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today Magazine TEST THE EDM Today Magazine
learn and grow, adding to your value, exposure, depth,
experience and comradery within your growing network.
WATERS
In this way, you can learn which EDM wire is best against
Take “baby steps”
carbide, or what electrode material against beryllium
copper. This is not to mention meeting friends, support-
if you must and
ers and attracting infl uencers along the way.
dip your toe into
the writing and
Finally, I’ll offer an additional phrase or addendum to this
speaking wa-
ters. Figuratively
speaking and
without getting
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“too far offshore,”
IT’S WHO KNOWS YOU
you can safe-
ly join online,
Upon arriving at this stage and position, you will fi nd that
EDM Forums to
instead of you calling out for info, advice or help, your
contribute your in-
phone will increasingly ring. People will begin to seek
formal advice and
you out and call you for information, assistance and
assistance to others. There, within a welcome audience
solutions, instead of you seeking them out for the same.
of advice-seekers, you can get used to taking small steps
(This is not to mention the accompanying job offers,
consulting contracts and many other unsought and
if it’s written “accidentally.”
interesting opportunities you are likely to receive.)
For those who might experience “mic-fright” at the con-
In my experience, this is a much more comfortable of advice-giving that might evolve into larger works, even
cept of public speaking, please consider that you auto-
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
place to be in.
matically have “speaker-sympathy,” as described in my
article in our Summer 2024 edition. Space doesn’t allow
me to reprise it here, but you can refer to that issue or
MANUFACTURING NEEDS YOU
fi nd it in the “Archives” section on our website.
Never mind that you might be a CNC lathe operator and
have accidentally come across this article in the shop
YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER
lunchroom and with little else to read, have managed to
read this far, I say, “Assert yourself,” and write something
useful or needed about CNC lathes. What kind of inserts
few, but consider what if it did. Please don’t take your
to use against what kind of material? Programming strat-
years-long and broad knowledge and experience for
egies? Coolant vs. lubricant? Help preserve your present I understand that this article will appeal or motivate very
granted. Instead, I urge you to share it with others who
job and help reinforce the need for apprenticeships and
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
possess less of each, as this is our mission here at EDM
hands-on training programs across all skilled trades.
Today. To help us fulfi ll this same mission statement,
we seek your help.
Although here at EDM Today, we obviously favor EDM
opportunities, but this is a challenge to all who read this
and who might dare to “boldly go.” Please dare to be bold.
MY CHALLENGE
There are many readers of EDM Today who have innu-
YOU MAY ASK, WHAT CAN I DO?
own valuable “Tips & Tricks.” I challenge you to please
Whether you are a shop guy or shop owner, if you are
share them with anyone who will listen. Provide info
inclined to help in any way, to share, write or speak, in
for your company’s website. Join an EDM Forum and
order to educate, whether it be EDM, lathe, mill, grinder, merable unshared experiences along with many of their
contribute in your own small way. Speak at a Community
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programmer, or designer, let your company boss, HR,
College, an SME meeting or at an Apprenticeship pro-
IT and Marketing Departments know. Tell them that
gram. Make yourself available. The entire EDM com-
you can or will, write or speak about what you know
munity (and all trades), need your input and experience.
(subject to approval, of course). Let them know how
Please accept my challenge.
you can contribute internally in the education of
fellow employees whether through cross-training or
If you are gainfully employed in, or retired from any
apprenticeship programs.
aspect of Electrical Discharge Machining and know
what you’re talking about, please share what you know
Warning: Unless you work in the most toxic of environ-
ments, I promise you, they will not be disinterested. If
job’s proper execution. Whether it be about EDM wires,
they aren’t attracted to this concept, they will be revealed
tooling and workholding, fl ushing tricks, or cut-off
to you and you might be faced with a diffi cult and
strategies, the list is endless, but the choice is yours.
unsought decision. A good test, however consequential, about everything you consider important to you and your
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Please dare to be bold.
which may help you navigate the next one.
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EDM Today, Spring 2025 Issue