I Became the Lead Programmer in the Shop... but I Don't Know How to Program

Crazy situation where we need some of the most complex rocket parts in the world to be programmed and cnc machined, but had nobody with the experience... someone needed to step up. Story takes place about 10 years ago...
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#CNC #Machining #Machinist

[@nathanjolly2805]

I learned programming in a similar way. I've been a machinist for 16 years now. And at our shop 1 guy typically runs 2 or 3 machines at a time. I taught myself programming in the 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there while machines were running. I had a good support structure too. My boss who did all our programming at the time would answer any questions I had.

[@garygriffin3114]

Titan, With that intense pressure coming through it and meeting the deadline WOW. Your son met the challenge. I used to live and dream CNC programming and setting up fixturing running the machines. Keep up the "GOOD FIGHT" Really kook forward to your next video always.

[@howiemac9413]

Nothing like Cross Training people. In these days, it is paramount.

[@Projectpat0589]

Fun fact most leads and managers don’t have a clue how to do the stuff the people under them do

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

That is why guys who work their way up from sweeping the floor are best. Most CEO's are clueless about real ops.

[@tmurray1972]

Absolutely clueless.

[@zteaxon7787]

This is true in far too many places. But fair enough it's almost impossible for management to be adept at every single tool and function. The expert on one machine might know nothing about the other. The lead programmer may know nothing about accounting and the accountant may know nothing about how to succesfully delegate, communucate and network to run a business. In reality even management is just a specialist job even if some of them ruin their reputation by being ignorant, pretentious assholes.

[@CheezGAMEZ555]

@@BrilliantDesignOnline wow 😲 really that's me

[@CheezGAMEZ555]

I mean the sweeping the floors working my way up

[@marccrawford2764]

I can remember my dad teaching me to program, standing at a LeBlond mill, looking at the blueprints and having to figure out every move in my head then type in the codes. My dad learned on anold NC tickertape Monarch. Cad programming has completely changed the game in machining.

[@mblend27]

Programming is not the same as administration, you guys are pathetic

[@OnlyPositiveVibes96]

@@mblend27 why so rude?

[@bobbybishop8426]

Worked with many programmers , the best ones had years of machining experiance prior to becoming a programmer. The ones that had little if no machining experiance were the worst of the bunch. They were the ones that get mad when you would edit to actually have a good reliable program.

[@Merc69]

I love cnc machining , cad/cam and I love my job but I hate working for people everywhere I work is the same old stuff of bad management and unrealistic time scales (bad planning). You have inspired me to try to set up my own work shop with me and my work friend Any tips would be greatly appreciated p.s. keep up the great videos

[@Houcnc]

Did you start it ?

[@Wirybird88]

Kinda similar to my situation. I ran wire Edms for a year then mills for 3 years before I got into programming. So I knew what the machines were capable of before I started programming and it was a pretty easy transition for me

[@tylercleary2734]

Titan, you, your family and your company serve as a monument to what i am trying to create within my own family, the company i work for and the future i am creating. Cycle, by cycle, part by part, and moment by moment. Thank you for who you are and what you do, and thank you for bringing America with you.

[@ST433]

Failures make you grow, if one is afraid of making failures then they will never be succsessfull.. Love from Sweden.

[@remo1971lb]

At 51, I'm heading back into the trade after over 20 years on the outside. I've signed up for your academy and I've been slowly getting my mind back in the game. I just got hired back into the company I used to work for and they're putting me in their lab to work on inspection. I'm ready to do this and I'm hungry to learn. Any tips for inspection trainees?

[@mothman657]

Blueprint reading!

[@strykerjones8842]

The apple don’t fall from the tree. This story is a beautiful example of a healthy father son relationship. Fathers teach their sons how to be a responsible man. The lessons of work ethic, self confidence, responsibility, patience and compassion come first from Dad and are reinforced by all the mentors a young man meets in their life. Well done on the job Tyson and well done Titan for helping create a valuable, capable and skilled young man.

[@charlesmorissette8620]

Big fan Titan, keep up the great work and the positivity, you'll leave the world better

[@sethverzinski7202]

That’s what I like about my company. We are required to know programming even even though we are the machinists. There are no such thing as “operators”. Either you learn and understand both, or you don’t make it far. Because you could be writing your own programs for an order one day and have them being made by programmers up front the next day.

[@Milkex]

I'm working through y'all's Academy after getting my Tech Cert in Machine Shop/CNC. Before this I only modified and created little models for tools and toys around the house, but goodness if I am not obsessed with CNC!

[@marchanson711]

What a dream team! A father and son dream team. We all wish we could have what you both have in each other. It's rare and beautiful. God bless.

[@Thepriest39]

With some training from my CAM software company and some KZbin videos I was able to learn how to program and machine on a CNC Bridgeport clone. Now I run our HAAS VF4 SS with a HRT-210 SS 4th axis and love it. Everyday is fun. Step up to the challenge and learn from your mistakes.

[@luqmanmuhammad1083]

How did you train yourself?

[@gootchmaster1010]

Your son is a BALLER🤙🏼 Keep up the positivity & great work! 👊🏼💪🏼🇺🇸

[@alexloper3084]

This is an awesome story. Tyson, if my kids grow up to be as successful as you I will be incredibly proud of them! Keep crushing it!

[@mattcaesar5781]

I learned both bc my dad couldnt afford an expensive programmer than could do both or two programmers. Not an expert on either but can keep the work flow going. The stress after all the years of make or break took its toll tho.

[@luqmanmuhammad1083]

Any advice for someone learning this field? I just received my first job but need to do some learning on my own

[@mattcaesar5781]

@@luqmanmuhammad1083 check it twice, cut once. On a lathe i always bump my offsets up by atleast .030 to check the first part. Mills i leave .050 to the side and peck any holes. Sound is the most identifiable indicator for something cutting good or bad. Keep calm and anyone that is cocky and says they are the best usually is not very good. Good luck!

[@JAT922]

Don’t say “crash” course to a programmer. The last thing a programmer want to do is crash a machine😀

[@tj9382]

It’s so cool seeing you run the same machines as I program, set and operate. D N Solutions are great machines.

[@williamlind2843]

I remember when my super on the lathes left and went to the mill dept. They gave $1 an hour to be the supervisor of 8 lathes. He told me G0 is rapid and G1 is feed and walked away. I had to learn from books. There were no CAD/CAM software yet and I had to read the manuals and trig everything out.

[@portcityengineering]

That’s bad ass, you deserved more than a $1/hr raise!

[@icyz3us789]

Such an amazing and inspiring story! Thank you Titan.

[@laurentianvmx1692]

Fact that Tyson had been hands on and setting up - running prior 4 years made this a simple logical progression. He was pushed out of his comfort zone and rose to the occasion on account of many things, foremost a sense of responsibility and humility. Luckily he was ready and thanks to their shop having 5S ingrained from the start made things easier for everyone. The guy that left was overwhelmed, he should of reached out for help but ego.

[@sergeidragunov8103]

Commitment and sacrifice are the key to success, you have achieved this over and over again, well done!!!

[@crazycooterMN]

That's how I started, just taking existing programs from a family of parts and modifying for differences in sizes. Single line on a Mitsubishi meldas controller about like a fanuc 15.

[@SupraMane69]

Wish I had a chance like that.... lucky guy

[@fish0741]

Awesome life lesson for Fathers and Son's or Daughter's

[@liamcushley9866]

With the right mentor, Anything is possible. They make you believe in your self 👍

[@Shirehi]

I'm at this cuspice myself! Working with my new company I've noticed the programmer is also the lead engineer, but he doesnt have the machining experience to correlate with the programming side of things. Sure the software can get the program close, but it takes tweaks to get it to run GOOD. Those tweaks require hands on experience! I've learned from the best but I still have plenty of gaps in my knowledge. I'm at the point where I must take it upon myself to further my programming knowledge in order to translate my setup/machining experience into the programs so we can stop wasting inserts and run more efficiently. It's a scary thing when the guy who is supposed to know it all tells you "I dont know." And it's your job to find the solution. All I can say is growth doesnt come from being in your comfort zone!

[@Send_Me_NOOOBS]

So there’s a software that can write the program for you????

[@MrCoffeypaul]

Every one wants to mill, no one wants to turn = give me a lathe!

[@koolmexican721]

After running 2 spindle/ Y axis lathes with live tooling.. I envy those long run times on the mills lol.

[@MrCoffeypaul]

@@koolmexican721 Screw them I envy you! LOL

[@angrydragonslayer]

@@koolmexican721 sweetest time i ever had was just putting bars in the bar feeder at the start and end of my shift and maybe changing inserts a few times per day.

[@koolmexican721]

@@MrCoffeypaul lmao no shortage of ridiculous parts here. Low volume. Programs are ass from the start. Kinda fun since there’s always something new. Can be frustrating and butt puckering.

[@koolmexican721]

@@angrydragonslayer Must be nice lol.

[@agentbey]

Great team work and message of the day don't run from opportunity.

[@jeromebowers4937]

Just remember it could always be worse. The company I work for handed me the reigns to our CNC department January 2, 2020. Which consists of 2 mid to late 80's Okuma lathes, 1 2014 Haas lathe with live tooling, a early 90s Fadal mill, broach machine and a Blanchard grinder. I had no experience with any CNC machines or CNC programming. But am still winging it thru.

[@DoingMoreKustoms]

Cross training is key, I built my reputation on this fact !!!

[@randywl8925]

You gotta be proud. He seems as confident in himself as you do..... only he seems more relaxed. 😁 You raised him right.👍

[@MrJugsstein]

Having that solid grounding. Thumbs up to you Tyson

[@dekonfrost7]

Seems almost deliberate that he left you in that position....

[@jg7038]

its what happens when you're running million dollar machines at a billion dollar company making rocket parts and they make you fight for a $1 raise while making $19/hr. Now Im not positive if thats the exact reason but its pretty common nowadays, mechanics getting paid less than panda express workers etc.

[@tonygombas491]

Congratulations Tyson very happy for you 👍👍

[@danl.4743]

Your are both lucky to have each other to be so proud of! 👍

[@brucejenner4800]

Your mindset is an exemplar

[@tdg911]

Always looking forward to the latest Titans of CNC videos. Thank you guys

[@Vaaluin]

Such an interesting story! I got into a training program and I start soon. In my freetime before I start, I've been trying to learn as much as I can online. I'm not expected to know anything for this position but I figure if I know a few things going in, it might give a great first impression!

[@MajinKazuu]

Damn that sounds fun. No doubt stressful, but power-learning can be wicked fun

[@missingno303]

i love just beeing thrown in the cold water and figure stuf out on my own

[@robertnewman1499]

What annoys me the most is seeing some of these younger guys/gals loose that fire because of the management. They'll be trying so hard to improve and take the shop to that next level but get stifled. I've been going on 10 years in the trade and I try to tell them keep at it and maybe find another place and continue growing. Because this can be a rewarding career/trade. I don't want to see some of the smartest kids that showed me cool stuff, lose that fire.

[@Hani13ful]

This is the point sir , old guys don't let new generation to come up and use new techniques.

[@Ham68229]

In my opinion, this is how people should be trained. Programmers teaches the programming and etc. Cheers :)

[@JoeKyser]

That's pretty much how I learned to program. I already knew how to edit them on the machine so I understand how it all worked and the commands. The programmer got canned. I needed parts so it was easy. Let me on his computer and figure it out. The rest was history

[@KenPurcell]

Tyson stepped up and knocked it out of the park.

[@shayann2228]

Well, here I am, a guy living in Germany and getting full and intensive training about the whole machining process (practical and theoretical) and other useful abilities in this field (like welding and metal bending etc.) for 3 1/2 years. This is called “Ausbildung”, for anyone interested

[@kabadaluk]

A lathe is easier than milling but operating a lathe can trigger a heart attack especially when turret approaching the chuck at high speed.

[@beachboardfan9544]

Love to hear from that guy that quit, I'm sure he had reasons why he did what he did...

[@CrossfitCarlos]

That's an awesome success story. Cheers.

[@carlitoway9120]

I dont usually give rhumbs up but, This is what it takes to be a machinists.

[@ericweeks6963]

I've been doing setups for the past 2 years on 3 and 4 axis lathes. Nearly begging for experience/training in programming and CMM operations. I'd love to have the oportunity you gave to Tyson.

[@daviddaniel2198]

As a shop lead I have no idea how to use programming software. I edit programs and can set up Swiss Lathes and mill turns. We have a programmer but I work for a global Medical manufacturing company. Though I’m paid well I wish I could find a company that will give me the keys to a lap top or desk top to allow me to write my own programs. But can’t complain with my pay.

[@miguelisinsane]

Same I’m a cnc setup person and hard to find these opportunities even getting a Swiss machinist job is hard to get

[@owievisie]

Similar kinda story, my dad had 2 waterjets and I just came out of school (machining but pretty much only conventional) Almost no experience, worked in a CNC shop for 9 months as a beginner but I just mainly did conventional lathe work And then I started working for my dad, learned everything about the waterjet and programming it And then we wanted to do CNC milling and turning. Bought the machines, went to a 2 day CAM course Machines came in the shop and I shat my pants I couldn't do this, I can't even calculate feed rate :P So we started, I had pretty much zero experience I couldn't ask anyone for help in our shop because I was the only 'machining' guy Honeslty, this was the best that could have happened to me Yes I was insecure a lot of times, Yes I worked way to much overtime because I couldn't keep up by myself, Yes I underpriced quotes big time because I couldn't tell how long a part would take, Yes I was just googling stuff 3 hours a day every day BUT It made me learn fast, It made me indipendent, it made me more creative and more confident Now 6 years later there is nothing I can;t make or programm of design just because I had no one to ask for tips It made me really indipendent and really made me figure out stuff on my own I always was a creative person, good with computer programms But I'll tell you this, the internet and youtube and stuff like Titan is what made me who I am I learned so much stuff through the internet it is insane And to this day every night I'm looking to video's like this, like Edge Precision, like whatever youtuber and I keep learning I love this trade, I really do Thanks Titan

[@cncmasterngkorea8545]

very inspiring story...amazing

[@mikek3951]

My brother hired a guy 8 years ago. Guy came in and said I’m a quick learner just give me a book and a few days. My brother did and this guy zero experience ran that machine like he built it. I have talked to him and he said it just makes sense to me after reading. Look at part then look at what it should look like. Some people are born with it

[@cnc678]

To many surprises titan keep an on the ball

[@lachlanbird9688]

Thank you for the video report.

[@YouReallyDontKnowMe1]

Most people desire the tests. They want to be the best they can be. Always believe in others and most importantly, yourself.

[@atomant_7]

Scary stuff man... The rockets gotta fly & fly safe... Billion dollar client.

[@kulpritblk1578]

You can use some of my programs from online to generate CNC programs, it's what they were actually for.

[@josephpadula2283]

On our rocket parts we void the warranty if metal is exposed to a vacuum… We will cover the parts if they are returned after the flight… We do not make parts for Space Ex!

[@matthunt7390]

1:40 I could feel that stress..

[@andrewwatkins1561]

Feeling proud😁

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

The guy had nothing done AND didn't come in the next day? What an A..hole; rocket company be like 'we have to cancel ALL our launches...thanks dude. Tyson: Yay, crash course. Awesome son. Awesome dad. Love these behind the scenes stories: HUGELY valuable.

[@williamlind2843]

I noticed on the PUMA you guys left an empty lock nut on your live tooling. I can't tell you how many of those I sent to China in the chip bin because my guys did that (still do) and they vibrated out.

[@georgespangler1517]

Problem is great guys like him end up being treated poorly and feel taken advantage of,,, been there many times, be good to him are someone else will are if he's really smart you will be bidding against him

[@juandiez3535]

What you think about trepanning? It could save lots of material! What're your thoughts

[@Dot.774]

But all I can say is titan make it happen boom boom !!!!!!!

[@snakedike]

Good story

[@osu3221]

I do all my machining on old school machines in my shop. Gives me pride keeping everything up and working them. It's what I live for. I don't want to use cnc but I do want something that can cut steel sheet and wood to exact spec...... What machine would you recommend? Or vendors that are great to work with?

[@cliftonlewis1420]

Water jet CNC

[@automan1223]

NO one puts Tyson in a corner ! BOOM !!

[@cliftonlewis1420]

Hahahahahaha. (An Old guy gets the joke)

[@ianyoungs1485]

Take a cut of that OD and cherish your spindle my dude

[@ГлигоријеРС]

Just wondering do thay ever go on vacation? Boom boom boom no no no!😁💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@gokulpp9683]

Dear titan, plz make a DIY video so that we can understand more ur daily routine and process.... Booom... Booom.. Booom.....

[@joshuafeldman367]

Hey Titan or Tyson i recently started working on a dmg mori sprint 32 lathe. i want to learn the machine and was wondering if you could do a tutorial s.

[@gokulpp9683]

I have one more doubt, why ur not doing in mm

[@fireworm91]

I do robotics... Damn you would be surprised how many times engineers bale out at the last second screwing up the whole company...

[@dougkubash8673]

Impressive!!

[@cryptonian4114]

Hey Titan, I'm up for adoption if you need another Programmer

[@themattrixrevolution]

Same. I'm more towards a mill guy and 5th axis router guy.

[@GuillermoRodriguez-gu3oq]

Some programmers were very selfish when I asked questions

[@austinmiller5118]

Any update on your certification program?

[@markmall7142]

Wouldn't of thought you woud need software to programe a lathe though as most controls have built in cycles.

[@cliftonlewis1420]

True to a point. When you get to -.00005 / +.0 tolerance on grooves that are .0005 wide and deep around the outside of a 22-in OD part. Then add a finish quality call out on top of that. You need the computer to hack out all that math.

[@samm-rawr6441]

where can I find an institute to learn G codes and about CNC machines ? I did Mechanical engineering and I wanna do masters related to CNC machines. Any tips ?

[@ernest6980]

What did you actually say when that programmer had NO PROGRAMS AT All

[@JAT922]

Boom!

[@brahtrumpwonbigly7309]

Man, what an asshole that guy was. Good on Tyson for pulling through. Titan has a guy he can actually rely on now, his boy!

[@uighkgui]

Whats the rocket company they are talking about? :D

[@kiurtosh]

lol cad cam programing , i'm programing everything by hand on the haas lathe's , thats the best way to learn programming and realy understand it,but after 3 years my fingers are verry fast on the buttons like bum bum bum , program is done , start :), yeah i know you cant do interpolation parts without cad cam like a hexagon or other shapes with live tooling , just the basics

[@Sebastian-ed5kt]

We basically learn like that in school My school has a haas lathe & mill and we programm the parts in a special program and the first one done with a perfect program gets his program run on the mill/lathe After that it's a run for the fastes programm Next semester we'll have that on the mill and I'm really looking forward to it

[@bigrednick100]

If you can solve huge problems you’ll be extremely successful. However, break those huge problems down in to small problems and then solve them. That way they don’t seem to overbearing. Good lesson though.

[@tooltrader2009]

What programming software do you use?

[@farii202]

Where can I learn to program? All the courses I find are for fundamentals and train someone to be a setup man not a programmer.

[@brandons9138]

You shouldn't think you can just jump into programming with out time working on the floor running/setting up machines. I mean you CAN, but your programs will reflect the inexperience. There is so much more to programming than just learning the software. There are things that only come with time actually making parts. If you want to get into the trade you kinda have to start as an operator and work your way up. If you are driven and have the aptitude you can move up fast.

[@farii202]

@@brandons9138 I’m a lead setup man at my shop.

[@ismaelramos8106]

How can im learn from Tyson do you guys have a school here in LA? Angeles California

[@xX7thseekerXx]

dominos dips arent worth it, ends up costing just as much as a medium pizza

[@danhnguyen435]

Boom!

[@anthonyburke5656]

Do you realise you brutalised the employee? He cracked up because he couldn’t perform to your expectations. What employee career development had been undertaken? What investment in your company does an employee have if the company has no investment in them?

[@timwinard7222]

Hard to do so when the guy lied multiple times.

[@пгфпермь]

Отвратительная сливная стружка при глубоком сверлении. Но есть неоспоримый плюс, не пакетируется в канавках сверла.

[@mikhaildavydenko6841]

Это кадры с последнего Boombastic Show. По поводу стружки: ну, во-первых, они ни разу даже не с ст45 работали; а во-вторых, они в самом конце только нашли нужные режимы. Когда уже почти все высверлили

[@AD-iw4vy]

I bacame the boss' son and you can too! JK, ly guys lol