Testing 123
Since this is a test blog, why don't we use it? I would like to bring a topic up on engineering. Is it just me or do the higher ups have a higher expectation for Microvellum? One expectation would be "You don't need to hire anyone with woodworking experience, That's what Microvellum is for". I design custom fixtures, they are never the same. For example a Customer service desk. I will use Microvellum for any cabinet that I can use within, but for everything else I draw it in 2d and make .dxf's of each profile and send them directly to a folder where we use Router-Cim to nest and make the g-code. Now tell me, do you think someone without any experience in woodworking can make decisions on how to design the radius wall around the square cabinets? or figure out how to make steps on a radius? It is bad enough when you have to explain how a hinge gets applied to a cabinet, but then you get asked "What is a hinge?" I could go on and on, but I think that I am not alone on this. Anyone going through the same growing pains?
You bring up an interesting point but I think it might be too generalized. Woodworking "experience" may not be enough but it could be a good starting point. I myself have nearly 30 years of woodworking experience and 5 years of ACAD under my belt, but I was a bit lost when I took this job. I had to take the time to stay on the shop floor and learn new terminology, methods and materials. Without that knowledge and understanding I would not have been able to help this shop make the transition from old school to CNC machining 1 1/2 years ago. While this may be different for other shops that have everything set up and run box after box, we run anything from tapered radius bank teller lines to entertainment centers to school and medical facility casework. It's a lot of stuff to learn for even an "experienced" woodworker.
I could not agree more with both comments. I went to school for ACAD and had very little cabinet making knowledge. I knew how to draw, but I had a hard time figureing out what to draw. What helped me, I was able to jump back and forth from the shop floor and my computer. I started in this buisness 10 years ago and at the end of last year we purchased MV and a big CNC router. The higher ups think we also should be spitting out cabinets like it is nothing now. WE are also a full custom shop mostly commercial, & Being I have never ran a CNC or MV before, not as easy as it sounds. So, I am in learning mode again. I am now cutting parts alot faster than they can put together, so we are, or will be looking for some cabinet maker. For me, if your not always learning, your buisness is probably not growing.
This is an interesting dicussion. I came to the cabinet business after 40 years in a number of other industries. I started using CAD systems when they first came into being, and have used over a dozen different programs. As I learned, I got very interested in creating and managing libraries as this is the key to high productivity. As a result, I built and managed both mechanical and electronic libraries in a major corporation for 25 years.
So, How does this all work in a cabinet shop? Actually, quite well. Not all cabinet makers have the tempernemt to sit at a computer all day. AutoCAD is almost a career in itself. I'm very fortunate to be surrounded by skilled craftsmen that are happy to work as a team (and not have to tackle the computer themselves). We're all learning together and improving with each MV job. I'm looking forward to the improvements in Release 7.
Hi everyone,
I too think this is a very interesting thread. I've been "in wood" now for 10 years, and have a bachelor's in wood engineering. The company I'm with now (link above), is a great shop, with prideful craftsmen. We just started in MV, and I'm still trying to get it set up "right". It's tough, but I can already see we are going to reap some amazing rewards out of it. I also empathize with all above about the different skill sets required to tackle MV: Specific Cabinet knowledge, Detail oreinted, Autocad, Excel, Conceptual reasoning, above average computer skills. I believe these traits are rare in combination. I can definately see how much time MV can save me in the future, but I need to learn more about how to make it work as a wholistic system. I really want us to utilize it for EVERYTHING that goes to the shop floor. I want a product label for every blessed thing that needs to go on the delivery truck, (Bags of shelf pins, fillers, loose grommets, etc.) I also appreciate anyone willing to share their SOP's on here such as the material file names in a current thread dictating the face up at a machining center. We can all use great ideas like that, and help each other profit from our investment in MV. Thanks for listening to me ramble, and I didn't mean to hijack this blog (maybe I'll create my own later.)