We use all Pro/E models here. It takes way to long to redraw from paper. The only issue we ever have is the models are sometimes unitoleranced, meaning they are not drawn to the mean, but to on side of the tolerance. We have the Engineers fix the model before we ever program it. We also check critical dimensions on the model before we program it. Generally if a customer is giving you a good print, he should have derived this print from a model. The model should be right. Stick with the model.

Paul, try Mitsubishi as well. The've got a great coating that they use that cuts through anything.

Paul,

What is the profit margin on the jobs? Unless the jobs repeat themselves, you probably can't give him a whole lot. If they are going to repeat, I would tend to give him 10% of the first time order.

Four years ago, I was working in a sweat shop making gear blanks on Mazaks. The owner woke up one morning and said he needed a change and he fired me. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I went from there to a medical device company in Florida and spent 1 year running an Integrex. This place was a country club. After 1 year got promoted to Mfg Specialist. Got to program all their machines and solve problems. They were big into Kaizen and 5S. Only problem was that it was second shift. My boss kept saying to be patient. After 3 years on 2nd shift got tired of empty promises and hopped on Monster.com. Found a job op in PA (my hometown). Got hired with a full relo package, more money, more benefits, MasterCam users and a medical device company. I would say I am doing much better than 4 years ago. Medical device is where it is at. Anyone looking for a job, let me know. Full relocation pacakge if you have an AS degree or higher.