Mitch Free's Blog

RE: Leveraging 3D in an Online Marketplace

no1toolmkr — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:16:30 GMT

I find it fascinating that you and autodesk have supported each other over the years. I can tell you from experience, your right. Having 3-D models to visualize the part helps in getting the quote right, and when it comes to programming the part, having the 3-D model to extrapulate surfaces to be cut makes it easaier as well.
Somewhere in the future the paper drawing will go away. and you will be able to load the 3-D image into the software and away you go. or maybe the robot will go and machine it. but never the less the part will be made with blinding speed and accuracy. This new format of 3-D imaging will one day be all you need. The only thing it is missing today is the tolerances. The dimensions are there but what about finnish and accuracy?
It seems to me that if the 3-D format could only convey the tolerances and finnishes of the part it displays it could then break down its final barrier, humanity and culture. If you look at a drawing from another part of the world even if it looks simple something about it is different than your used too. begging for the mistake to be made that everyone is still afraid of and the soul reason why people are reluctant to quote around the globe.
I sincerely believe the 3-D CAD format will one day bring down the culture barrier and when that happens it will be able to convey every bit of information required to manufacture said part without any possible misinterpretation.
I'm still waiting on that day because I'm still worried about misinterpretation from around the globe. Colaboration is not the answer either because it is just as susceptable to misinterpretation as the paper drawing. I realy don't care for talking on the phone with an engineer from around the globe trying desperately to understand them. even if we speak the same language it is still difficult because of the culture.
How much longer do you think it will be before the 3-D CAD format is complete in its description of the part?

RE: Entitlement Culture

no1toolmkr — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:14:41 GMT

amen

RE: Manufacturing is a sexy career choice!

info — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:04:00 GMT

Mitch,

People who feel more people going into trade will erode wages are typical short-term thinkers. But that's just an 'inside' problem and a mindless band-aid for job security fears - the bigger issue is still the fundamental disrespect, born of ignorance, of the role manufacturing plays in every aspect of life! Consider that fewer than 10% of the people outside manufacturing stop to think HOW things exist and the picture becomes clearer. Until we can reverse the innate ignorance of manufacturing the industry will never be 'sexy' nor will we have parity with other, better-paying jobs!

This may sound simplistic but I think better industry marketing is the key. Computer programming wasn't 'sexy' until gaming and advancements in technology began being marketed as 'sexy'....perhaps the same can be done for manufacturing! Perception is Reality.....so let's change the Reality! Goofy? I don't think so - consider how many celebrities are celebs simply because the media touts them as such - and how consumers will flock to a trend simply because someone tells them it's now a trend. Every tail wags a dog! Get that dog wagging and you'll have talented people flocking to the industry.