Modern Manufacturers Need More Brains Than Brawn

One of the biggest problems today’s manufacturers face is the shortage of good machinists and skilled technicians. As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, companies find it tough to fill positions that require high skill sets.

Hordes of baby boomers in the manufacturing sector continue to retire, and they leave behind myriads of open jobs. Unfortunately, most young people show zero interest in such a career path and instead buy into the myth that a four-year college is the only way to get ahead in life.  

Although today’s manufacturing companies are a major source of high-tech innovation, wealth creation and plenty of high-paying careers, the industry still suffers from a negative image of “working the line.”  To change this mindset, Seco has created a proactive, comprehensive internship program to educate students about future manufacturing career opportunities as well as help them gain real-world experience. The company’s program targets college-level students.

In a partnership with Ferris State University (FSU) in Big Rapids, Michigan, Seco offers local area engineering students an opportunity to participate in a multi-year internship program. It invites the top three engineering applicants to participate for an initial first year internship. Then, based on their interest and performance, the students are potentially asked back for a second year. Once a student graduates from the program, Seco often presents an offer of employment at one of its several U.S. locations.

Under the guidance of seasoned mentors, Seco interns experience a combination of classroom training and real-world business experience while earning their degree at FSU. The first-year interns take part in technical training and the development of custom tooling. They will also learn to further develop their machining skills by utilizing advanced machining technologies and accompany Seco applications specialists on outside customer calls. All these facets of the program ensure students receive a comprehensive overview of all their potential areas of interest.

During their second year, interns are often sent out-of-state to shadow an experienced sales rep and make professional sales calls for on-the-job experience. Students participating in the sales portion of the internship program are paid competitive wages during the internship and receive assistance with housing placement and living expenses. Seco also provides a company car to all second-year students.

In light of its company-wide “family spirit” values, Seco ensures that students/interns are taken care of and have all the tools they need to succeed.  Because Seco takes care of everything, the students’ parents don’t worry about their son or daughter moving to a new city and having to locate and pay for housing or, in the case second-year sales program students, a car either.

Seco’s internship program has been in place for several years, and feedback has been extremely positive. The majority of students who complete the program end up working for Seco, and it has placed second year students all over the country from South Carolina to Texas and California.  Most of these students will have a job offer from Seco before they even graduate.

It’s a win-win model that benefits everyone. Students receive an education with the promise of a great career, and Seco gains skilled job candidates that know their job before they even join the payroll.

Visit Seco at FSU’s Career Fair this fall
Engineering students interested in securing an internship with Seco should plan to
Visit the Seco booth at FSU’s Career Fair to be held this October. Inquiries may also be directed to Andrew Nalian via Email at: Andrew.Nalian@secotools.com.

Machine Operator Training Increases Productivity, Reduces Costs

By Don Graham, Manager of Education and Technical Services

These days, manufacturers are searching every nook and cranny in their organizations for ways to reduce costs. For example, our customers want toolholders, insert grades and geometries that perform better, and they want them at a lower cost. While the latest advancements in cutting tools and machining techniques deliver increased productivity, better surface finishes and longer tool lives, manufacturers can also maximize machining efforts and reduce costs through machine operator education.

Modern machines make programming many machining processes easier, but the best productivity is achieved by well-trained operators who understand the basics of turning, milling, and holemaking as well as when to use different types of cutters. A good understanding of why they are doing what they are doing, as well as what to listen for and what to look for when operating a machine can help operators proactively avert problems before they arise. Ultimately, this knowledge helps increase productivity and reduce costs by decreasing scrap rates and rework.

At Seco, we regularly host free training courses at our North American Headquarters in Troy, Michigan as part of our Seco Technical Education Program (STEP). Courses are designed to cover the latest tooling systems and metal cutting techniques as well as customer-specific requirements, so that machine operators, manufacturing engineers, programmers, and company owners can begin to understand the simplest way to choose the correct tooling and machining strategy.

We offer three levels of training. STEP Into is a four-hour course that is ideal for those with little or no metal cutting experience. Attendees get an introduction to our Navigator product catalog as well as basic manufacturing and metal cutting vocabulary. This course is not a prerequisite to STEP 1, but it can assist in gaining the full benefit of STEP 1 training.

STEP 1 is a three-day program that introduces tooling and machining technology, including ISO/ANSI standards, turning, milling, holemaking, thread milling, workpiece materials, carbide metallurgy, analyzing tool life and understanding productivity. STEP 1 is a prerequisite for attending STEP 2 training.

STEP 2 is also a three-day program, but it provides a more advanced look at machining techniques and tooling systems, including 3D milling, 3D milling tools, optimum turning, PCBN tooling, Capto quick change and solid carbide tooling. In-depth hands-on instruction, trouble-shooting and problem solving play an important role in the program.

Operator training through STEP can help your shop achieve maximum machining productivity and lower costs. We offer the training for free, however, participants are responsible for their hotel and travel expenses. Once registered, we will make your hotel arrangements. We also provide daily transportation between the hotel and Seco headquarters as well as outgoing airport ground transportation.

To learn more about STEP and register for upcoming classes, please click here. Classes fill up quickly and registration deadlines are subject to seating availability.

About the Author
Don is the manager of education and technical services for Seco, responsible for all educational activities for the NAFTA market, new product testing and various other technical functions. Outside of work, he enjoys making maple syrup, restoring antique tractors and farming.