Inch or Metric

[Frank]

Hey all: I am confronted with giving the boss an answer on why I program in Inch, when the prints come in Metric. His thoughts are if it comes in Inch, program it that way, if it comes in Metric, do the same. I know it's just a code in the machine to change to Metric...but can someone tell me what problems can occur by doing this ? I've always converted. Beside already having over 2000 tools in my library, is there something else I'm overlooking.

 

Thanks,

[robk]

quote:

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Beside already having over 2000 tools in my library

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That's a pretty good reason. I do it exactly the same as you.

[JG]

Frank,

I prefer inch myself, only because I have a better feel for the relative sizes, maybe ask your boss if he switches to "metric" mikes for such jobs.

 

jg

[Rekd™]

What's this 'metric' you talk about?

[CNCme]

Good Day Frank,

 

I dont think you want to mix metric programming

and inch. First of all do you have metric endmills and/or metric tool holders.

 

The easyest way is to draw all dimensions as shown (keeping in mind that mastercam is based

on units.) then inspect the drawing to the metric

drawing. then Xform - scale - to english.

 

note:

Some machines need parameter change to switch to

metric. (Not just a G-code)

 

 

Tony G

CNCiT Precision Machine - Hudson,NH

X Beta Site

Almost Employed Senior Programmer

N.E Massachusetts - Southern New Hampshire

_________________________________________

End mills and tooling are like The "AMMO"

And coolant and chips are like the enemy

Under your boots as you advance in the

Manufacturing Battle

--------------------------------------------------

[Bruce Caulley]

Stay with what is familiar. I work in metric and convert everything imperial that comes through the door.

 

If you are an imperial man then stick to it.

 

Bruce

[Frank]

Not when my words mean nothing! I asked what benifit does he feel he would be getting by me programming in Metric, and his reply was "because I want you to" then he proceeded to tell me he's going to check with his machine shop owner friends, and I have 2 hours to come up with a solid reason why not. So sorry for wasting your time....sounds like he's already made up his mind. I've also been told I get paid by the hour do as I'm told.

Aint that a kick

[CNCme]

Good Day,

Frank...our time is never wasted here.

I LEARN something new here every day.

 

Typical owner, everything is a five minute job.

 

Maybe if you get enough knowledge from these

good people on this forum...you can look for

another boss with more realistic outlook.

Best of luck

 

Tony G

CNCiT Precision Machine - Hudson,NH

X Beta Site

Almost Employed Senior Programmer

N.E Massachusetts - Southern New Hampshire

_________________________________________

End mills and tooling are like The "AMMO"

And coolant and chips are like the enemy

Under your boots as you advance in the

Manufacturing Battle

--------------------------------------------------

[Lumpnut]

quote:

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"because I want you to"

---

quote:

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I get paid by the hour do as I'm told.

---

This guy sounds like a real A$$HOLE! Find new job FAST. If he's not willing to respect your opinions and ideas on how YOU would like to program, then your chances of sucsess are slim.

Just my 2 cents.

 

As far a Inch or Metric , I use inch because our tool library and collets are inch. And it's easier to find cutters..at least around here. Check with your local tool suppliers and see what they stock more of, Inch or Metric. That would be a good argument. Having to wait a couple extra days to get a cutter in to run a job would be costly to any shop.

 

Good Luck !!

 

[jeff]

I use inch because I live in the USA!!!!

If that's not a good enough reason tell him to shove it!

I program in inch because that's what I was brought up learning.

All our operators/programmers use inch also.

My owner/boss has asked me a couple times thru the yrs "wouldn't it be easier if you have a metric print to program in metric?"

I said,maybe,but it would get confusing to the operators switching back and forth learning new feedrates and stuff like that.

Also,unless you buy metric inspecting equipment ,you would have to convert the numbers anyway to check the damn thing!

[Mike Mattera - TFM]

Tell him the Mars lander crashed because people were measuring with 2 different standards. Pick your units (Inch if that's what you prefer) and stick to it.

 

Mike Mattera

[Frank]

Although telling the boss to "shove it" ranks right up there with me an Halle Berry spending the night together. I realize right now they are both only fantasies ! So with 2 small kids and a wife, I'll have to program in Metric. After all I do get paid by the hour. And so are the operator's who will scream and bitch, after they get the programs.

[Lee.]

Frank, I wonder if it is worth asking your boss, his reasoning behind the decision?

 

It doesn't seem real that he would say do it, just because.

 

There should be some dialogue.

 

My 2 cents

[robk]

quote:

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After all I do get paid by the hour. And so are the operator's who will scream and bitch, after they get the programs.

---

Man, I'd pay too see their faces

Prepare for a lot of crashes

[dan m]

maybe after enough complaining by the operators and possibly scraped parts because of the conversion he will see the light.

[Frank]

I totaly agree...there should be some dialogue. And I did ask the question "why". His response was "because I want it that way" I don't know where it came from, other than thinking all changes are good changes.

[jeff]

Yeah, I agree telling him to shove it may not be wise.

Sorry, I was a little grumpy this morning waking up 2 hours late for work today.

 

Jeff teh sleepy.

[Lee.]

Frank,

 

It's too bad he doesn't see the agrovation this is going to cause.

 

Here's my thoughts,

 

Tell him WHY, You don't think it's a good idea but also tell him that whatever his decision is, you'll stand behind it.

 

Then, make notes as to how the conversation went, what was said and so-on.

 

Then, carry on as best you can.

 

If things go hay-wire in the shop, then you'll have to see how things go and who blames who.

 

At least you'll have the notes from your meeting.

 

 

Hang in there.

[CNCme]

Good Day,

 

Quote:

________________________________________________

It doesn't seem real that he would say do it, just because.

------------------------------------------------

I have many bosses who would do the wrong thing

just to be right.(not)

 

Frank,

just do the work and it will be new knowledge

for you...I have spent many hours learning (practicing) on production time, and using

double-triple the time, so I would benefit

and the next time program faster, and maybe

this is the only way to give your boss what

he wants...and you will become more proficiant.

 

 

Tony G

CNCiT Precision Machine - Hudson,NH

X Beta Site

Almost Employed Senior Programmer

N.E Massachusetts - Southern New Hampshire

_________________________________________

End mills and tooling are like The "AMMO"

And coolant and chips are like the enemy

Under your boots as you advance in the

Manufacturing Battle

--------------------------------------------------

[Mike Mattera - TFM]

Who said "tell him to shove it"

 

My point is: IN order to prevent mistakes, it makes sense to kepp things in a unit for that people are used to dealing with. Some shops can do both Inch and Metric. But if your not used to dealing in metric, you can expect a cretian amount of mistakes to be made during the transition.

 

If he's prepared for that I would say fine, program in metric.

 

Mike Mattera

[Mike Mattera - TFM]

" Who said "tell him to shove it "

 

Oh I see now it was Jeff.

 

Mike Mattera

[LaszloK]

Hello, The big decision is in your tooling,tool holders, and inspection tools. Programming in metric does not make sense unless you use metric tooling and measuring equipment. You can use inch tooling and measuring equipment but a conversion is still being used. When I run into an ignorant boss, I like to base my argument on dollars and cents. Let him know the cost to tool up and train the machinists for all metric processing. I don't want to add fuel to your bosses argument (even though it sounds like he doesn't have one) but some machines/controllers have a better resolution in metric mode and will hold tighter tolerances. Even knowing this, we use inches since all of our tooling, inspection, and training is based on inches.

[Tim Johnson]

While you're programming metric, use metric tooling, metric stock, after all that's on the print too.

[B747US]

I would ask my boss to ask customer to send 3D model and wouldn’t take responsibility of conversion one by one, then change MC configuration by one click and use the model.

[B747US]

But if model is not available stick to metric