Instructor problems

[John Q]

Hey guys why are there so few post on the instructor side. Is it because not many schools use MasterCam or like me I tend to look on the industry forum. Do you guys get most of the help you need from your dealer? It would be nice to share ideas and problems with other instructors.

Like what do you guys think about the certification training? How many of you guys teach 5 axis mill programmning and operation. We have 5 semesters of MasterCam training and we keep up with the latest versions. I also teach other software so when I have problems I need help fast. I am concerned about getting answers to my problems. What other resources do you guys use.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Most people get answers from the main forum. A lot of information can be found just by searching. I taught Mastercam for a while, both in College and professionally for the Washington State Mastercam reseller. The hardest thing for me was developing a good cirriculum. There are a few out there that you can buy, but our college had no money for purchasing something commercial. I found myself spending too much of my own personal time creating something that I wasn't getting paid for.

 

For certification, it is something I am seriously looking into. I was skeptical at first, then I learned that one was held recently for some instructors (so they could be certified) and something like 35% failed.

 

This is good in my mind, because it shows who can really program a "Mill level 1" part. The test is timed. I think it would be awesome if you not only passed, but had the option of CNC Software posting a list of certified programmers and their scores (optional maybe?). I know I'd like to take the Pepsi® challenge and see where I stand as a programmer.

 

Keep in mind that Level 1 is the only certification available at the moment. I would love to see what they are going to come up with for levels 2, 3, and multiaxis.

 

Like I said, I was skeptical at first, but I'm getting ready to pony up the dough out of my own pocket to take the test.

[Gene Welti. CNC Software Inc.]

Colin,

 

The path we are taking with certification is certification for Lathe next then Multitasking after that.

[1 master]

hey colin have you ever done a road course somewhere around the everett plant? sorry i know off topic.

[Colin Gilchrist]

I know there is the Boeing Employees Autocross Club (BEAC) that sets up courses with cones in the parking lots. They do timed autocross events. I haven't joined yet, but I'm getting new tires soon, so I might. There are some pretty nice twisties close to Boeing, but I digress...

[1 master]

when i was younger thats where i used to have all my fun. they have that long road out by the sand quary that takes you into the back side of the plant.I miss everett at times. i think ill take a trip back out there this summer. Its change a lot. got bigger ive heard.

[cadcam]

Gene this is what Mike is working on now?I need to call that guy.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Yep, that road is really fun when you are sideways through the curve at the bottom of the hill.

[Guest Tyler Yanta]

quote:

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Hey guys why are there so few post on the instructor side. Is it because not many schools use MasterCam or like me I tend to look on the industry forum. Do you guys get most of the help you need from your dealer? It would be nice to share ideas and problems with other instructors.

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quote:

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Most people get answers from the main forum. A lot of information can be found just by searching.

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The number of recent posts in this forum is not so much a result of the number of schools using or not using Mastercam, but rather those schools not necessarily knowing this forum exists. Of course what Colin said is also true.

 

In the near future we will be concentrating a bit more on promoting this forum so instructors can do just that - share ideas and problems with each other. Stay tuned!