Posted:
#26
Quote Originally Posted by bowlslit:
You would be surprised. You really need to think before you speak. You have no Idea what experiences I've had.
The classification of what makes a machinist at Boeing is pretty broad - and includes guys who run machines of traditional AND special design. We have worked on everything from parts De-greasing washers to wing skin riveters that were operated by Union Machinists.
I think the goal of the machinist union is to capture as many labor functions as possible under union representation - as such, there would be a large number of these machinists (perhaps even a majority) that wouldn't necessarily know how to operate a lathe or a milling machine much less know the difference between them. It is a completely different world - they run wing riveters, carbon fiber layup lines, bushing installation tools . . . stuff that the average machinist wouldn't even be able to identify.
They use fuselage joining jigs where lasers are used to give guidance in alignment of individual sections and portable jigs are moved into place with drill bushings that guide the machinist on where to place the drill bit in his pneumatic drill (chained to the fixture) . . . you get everything aligned and then use your drill to match drill fastener locations, install fasteners finger tight and then move on. Someone else follows behind and torques the fasteners to the appropriate level and they move on. This is done over and over day in and day out and may be the only function that this machinist does in his career.
My sense is that this is at the lower end of compensation and it is either a starting point from which you launch to greater aspirations OR you are happy working here and stay till you retire.
The more complex machining operations (like taking a titanium forging that weighs 5,000 lbs and turning it into a 1500 lb landing gear strut) use large super profilers (Ingersol dual head units) with pallets that weigh upwards of 20,000 lbs that are shuttled around with cars servicing upwards of 8 - 10 machines. These guys are very skilled and manage machines with tool carousels with multiple dozens of tools - and one screw up is very costly - this is on the upper end of the skill level and these guys likely receive the upper end of compensation.
I've worked with 'button pushers' and I've worked with other craftsmen. That's right....I said OTHER craftsmen.
You would be surprised. You really need to think before you speak. You have no Idea what experiences I've had.
The classification of what makes a machinist at Boeing is pretty broad - and includes guys who run machines of traditional AND special design. We have worked on everything from parts De-greasing washers to wing skin riveters that were operated by Union Machinists.
I think the goal of the machinist union is to capture as many labor functions as possible under union representation - as such, there would be a large number of these machinists (perhaps even a majority) that wouldn't necessarily know how to operate a lathe or a milling machine much less know the difference between them. It is a completely different world - they run wing riveters, carbon fiber layup lines, bushing installation tools . . . stuff that the average machinist wouldn't even be able to identify.
They use fuselage joining jigs where lasers are used to give guidance in alignment of individual sections and portable jigs are moved into place with drill bushings that guide the machinist on where to place the drill bit in his pneumatic drill (chained to the fixture) . . . you get everything aligned and then use your drill to match drill fastener locations, install fasteners finger tight and then move on. Someone else follows behind and torques the fasteners to the appropriate level and they move on. This is done over and over day in and day out and may be the only function that this machinist does in his career.
My sense is that this is at the lower end of compensation and it is either a starting point from which you launch to greater aspirations OR you are happy working here and stay till you retire.
The more complex machining operations (like taking a titanium forging that weighs 5,000 lbs and turning it into a 1500 lb landing gear strut) use large super profilers (Ingersol dual head units) with pallets that weigh upwards of 20,000 lbs that are shuttled around with cars servicing upwards of 8 - 10 machines. These guys are very skilled and manage machines with tool carousels with multiple dozens of tools - and one screw up is very costly - this is on the upper end of the skill level and these guys likely receive the upper end of compensation.
I've worked with 'button pushers' and I've worked with other craftsmen. That's right....I said OTHER craftsmen.
You really should cite your sources when you are going to plagiarize something word for word. 
post 15
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