Page 55 - Summer 2024 EDM Today

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Could this be you? You might be pleasantly surprised.

Looking back, I must give credit where it is due, however
late. I suspect that both my high school machine shop HOW TO DO THIS EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
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
(very, very proper English) should get most of the credit. is much easier than speaking – there is no audience, no
travel, physical appearance, no formal stage presentation,
I am certain that both of them would be pleasantly

surprised with the results of their influence upon one or any resulting stage fright (or a “computer problem”).
It can be as easy as what is already being done, but just
of their mutual, unaware and ungrateful students. I, too,
am now pleasantly surprised, now more aware and even not enough or channeled properly.
more grateful. Explanation: There are several EDM forums online such
as the “Practical Machinist” Q & A forums of which I am
MY POINT a member and contribute when I can. There are many
others that contribute to this site, who have broad expe-
The entire point of this “Time Out” is; I want to encourage rience in EDM tweaks, mods and work holding solutions
everyone knowledgeable in their craft or skill to and offer consistently good advice. This includes both EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
consider writing and/or speaking about them. I urge users and OEM applications engineers who frequent it
you to please try. and all offer current help and advice.

To those I am speaking to (and you know who you are), These are among the people I am reaching out to.
you are among the most knowledgeable and experienced Continue to contribute to these forums and sharing your
amongst us. You possess years of untapped expertise knowledge and experience. Also, consider joining other
that is desperately needed in all phases of manufacturing forums, or even starting your own forum or educational
today, especially since the vocations and trades were blog. Volunteer and accept speaking opportunities at
eliminated from high schools and most in-shop appren- local trade shows and especially at high schools and
ticeship programs have largely dried up. community colleges (or anywhere you are asked). If you
are confident and have enough material and experience

Results: After over four decades of almost zero-in– in your manufacturing craft, I suggest reaching out to a
zero-out interest and investment in the trades, there are magazine of your choice with an article for consideration. EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
very few skilled craftsmen replacements in any skill or Again, you might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
craft. To dispel any doubt, refer to the chart below as a Perhaps everyone else will also.
visual “impact statement” and because it serves much
better than any of my descriptive words could. This is
downright scary. “TIME IN”

With so little formal vocational training remaining, this As you have just read, this particular “Road Warrior” tale
condition makes the importance of what many of you al- wasn’t about being on the road to cover an interesting
ready know, even more urgently needed to be shared with EDM part, project, or worthy EDM machine shop. Instead
others and I’m talking about everyone in every skill, craft of reporting on a “nuts-and-bolts” article, this was instead
or business I have ever known. a glimpse into the “coat-and-tie” circuit, as many of us
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 EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine

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.

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 EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
We need the collective experience and all important “tribal all of the many different perspectives and some of the
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, There are many different types.
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
toolroom experience, all aspects of manufacturing
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
and especially EDM, is sorely in need of replacement
educators, writers and speakers.
52 EDM Today, Summer 2024 Issue