The Final CNC Tech Talk Column

It is with mixed emotions that I announce that this will be my final CNC Tech Talk column. On the one hand, I know I will miss the challenge of creating content that helps CNC-using manufacturing people. On the other hand, I know it is time for me to step away. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences with Modern Machine Shop during the 35 years this column has been running. I am proud and honored to have had this opportunity.

Most of my writing over the years has been aimed at improving CNC utilization. In parting, let me offer three take-away suggestions that sum up most of what I have been trying to accomplish:

1. Stay aggressively aware. Actively search out problematic areas in your company and create methods that improve them.
2. Prioritize improvements.
   1. Eliminate constraints. Look for bottlenecks that, if eradicated, would increase machine/department/company output.
   2. Get the best return on investment. Work first on those things that provide the biggest bang for the buck.
   3. Favor machine utilization over personnel utilization. Look for machines that sit idle, waiting for a CNC person and do something about it.
3. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. Simple tasks can be performed by people with a lower skill level; they are easier to perform, can usually be performed faster and people will make fewer mistakes when performing them.

Writing for Modern Machine Ship has been a great ride for me and I feel fortunate to have been exposed to so many knowledgeable people. My time with MMS began in 1989, while I was working as an applications engineer for a CNC machine tool importer. Back then, Ken Gettleman was editor-in-chief. I remember seeing Gettleman’s monthly column “From the Pen of Ken” when I was a kid working in my dad’s shop (circa 1969). I mentioned to Gettleman that MMS had a column on taxes, another on gaging and yet another on tooling — but nothing on CNC. Would he like one? He had me write a few sample columns and off we went.

MMS has had several other excellent people filling the editor-in-chief position over the years, including Tom Beard, Mark Albert, Peter Zelinski and now Brent Donaldson. Each provided me with latitude to say whatever I want to say. This was much appreciated. For the most part, I kept my writings technical, but every so often, I must admit, I did get up on a soapbox. Thank you to all of them for giving me such wide berth.

I have also been fortunate to have had excellent copy editors. Each was amazingly talented at translating what I wrote into what I wanted to write. Often, I would recheck my original submission to see how they had made it so much better and easier to read in hopes of improving my writing. Again thank you one and all for making me look so good.

And of course, thanks to all of you who have read my column. I have received countless comments, compliments and critiques over the years, and all have been much appreciated. Many readers have contacted me to ask questions or request help with some CNC-related issue. I thoroughly enjoyed discussing your needs and working with you to address your challenges.

I am also grateful that this column led to some fantastic opportunities. In 1990, an acquisitions editor for The McGraw-Hill publishing company contacted me after reading my column. This lead to three of my books being published by McGraw-Hill. Around the same time, a person from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers engaged me to teach CNC-related seminars and, eventually, write two more books.

I am in reasonably good health, as is my wife, Cheryl, so my future plans include a little traveling and enjoying varied hobbies such as radio-controlled flying models, 3D-printing, bicycle riding and gardening.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has been involved with my column over the years. I will miss you dearly.

—Mike