Page 54 - Summer 2024 EDM Today

EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine

Could this be you? You might be pleasantly surprised.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
Looking back, I must give credit where it is due, however
HOW TO DO THIS
late. I suspect that both my high school machine shop
instructor Mr. Dardarian (very tough and whom I’ve written
It is much easier than you might think. For most, writing
about here before) and my english lit teacher Mrs. Lampe
is much easier than speaking – there is no audience, no
(very, very proper English) should get most of the credit.
I am certain that both of them would be pleasantly
or any resulting stage fright (or a “computer problem”).
surprised with the results of their influence upon one

It can be as easy as what is already being done, but just
of their mutual, unaware and ungrateful students. I, too, travel, physical appearance, no formal stage presentation,
am now pleasantly surprised, now more aware and even not enough or channeled properly.
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
more grateful.
Explanation: There are several EDM forums online such
as the “Practical Machinist” Q & A forums of which I am
a member and contribute when I can. There are many
MY POINT
others that contribute to this site, who have broad expe-
rience in EDM tweaks, mods and work holding solutions
The entire point of this “Time Out” is; I want to encourage
and offer consistently good advice. This includes both
everyone knowledgeable in their craft or skill to
users and OEM applications engineers who frequent it
consider writing and/or speaking about them. I urge
and all offer current help and advice.
you to please try.
To those I am speaking to (and you know who you are),
Continue to contribute to these forums and sharing your
you are among the most knowledgeable and experienced
knowledge and experience. Also, consider joining other
amongst us. You possess years of untapped expertise These are among the people I am reaching out to.
that is desperately needed in all phases of manufacturing forums, or even starting your own forum or educational
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
blog. Volunteer and accept speaking opportunities at
today, especially since the vocations and trades were
local trade shows and especially at high schools and
eliminated from high schools and most in-shop appren-
community colleges (or anywhere you are asked). If you
ticeship programs have largely dried up.
are confident and have enough material and experience

in your manufacturing craft, I suggest reaching out to a
Results: After over four decades of almost zero-in–
magazine of your choice with an article for consideration.
zero-out interest and investment in the trades, there are
Again, you might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
very few skilled craftsmen replacements in any skill or
Perhaps everyone else will also.
craft. To dispel any doubt, refer to the chart below as a
visual “impact statement” and because it serves much
better than any of my descriptive words could. This is
“TIME IN”
downright scary.
With so little formal vocational training remaining, this As you have just read, this particular “Road Warrior” tale
wasn’t about being on the road to cover an interesting
condition makes the importance of what many of you al-
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
EDM part, project, or worthy EDM machine shop. Instead
ready know, even more urgently needed to be shared with
of reporting on a “nuts-and-bolts” article, this was instead
others and I’m talking about everyone in every skill, craft
a glimpse into the “coat-and-tie” circuit, as many of us
or business I have ever known.
had road trips required for our roles as “Front Men” and
“Company Speakers.” Each one educates others on every
aspect of EDM technology – papers and presentations on

everything EDM: wire types, electrode materials, filtration,
tooling, dielectrics, etc. Most speakers came from OEMs,
distributors, and suppliers representing and speaking at
professional trade shows, conferences, and symposiums.
It was a total learning experience for all, myself included,
an eternal student.
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
IN CLOSING
This article offered no technical information or EDM
education as when typically covering an EDM shop,
project or new technology. Instead, I hope you found
this to be another one of EDM Today’s efforts in relating
all of the many different perspectives and some of the
We need the collective experience and all important “tribal
unknown facets and “behind-the-scenes” aspects and
knowledge” and guidance from every “crackerjack” man-
perhaps a better appreciation of “Tales of a Road Warrior.”
ual machine operator, applications engineer, shop owner,
setup and tooling experts, manufacturing engineers, pro-
grammers and even a few, shop-floor savvy, machine-tool

sales engineers and managers. Not unlike this chart on There are many different types.
toolroom experience, all aspects of manufacturing
EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today, Summer 2024 Issue
and especially EDM, is sorely in need of replacement
educators, writers and speakers.
52