October 2007 Edition
Letters to the Editor
The Proof is in the Product
Attached is a picture of a 9/16" drill bit made in China of supposedly high-speed steel. The bottom third of the bit had a Rockwell hardness of about 62 RC and then the rest of the drill bit had an average hardness of about 27 RC.
This drill bit is junk! I wish we, as Americans – including those in Congress – would wake up and consider what we have done, and what we have become. We are too dependent on another country for our tools, food, clothing, toys, and the necessities for our survival. That may sound over the top, but I really don't think so anymore.
Dave Marion
Project Engineer
K.R. Komarek, Inc.
Elk Grove Village, IL
Sometimes We Just Need Entertainment
What do you think? Will the information in this article increase efficiency or save time, money, or effort?
None of the above. But, a marvelous article [July 2007, Vol. 41, No. 7, From the Shop Floor, An Old 'Friend' Retires After 29 Years, p. 10], reminds us there is humanity in business. I've forwarded a copy to many of my friends and associates in the fabrication business. Thanks for printing it!
Dave Himmelblau
Materials and Processes Specialist
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Mountain View CA
Google "Mark Twain"+"School Boards"
Why is it so hard to find qualified youth for employment in manufacturing?
Perhaps a little introspection might be in order.
When was the last time that you discussed your vocational education and desired outcomes with your local school board? I can tell you that after seven years of school board experience in an area with a great deal of manufacturing, I have yet to see, in spite of my urging, any interest in participating in the planning of the education of the youth of my community by the manufacturing employers.
About four years ago our district began the planning for a new high school. Initial plans showed that there wouldn't be any vocational space in the school! As a former employee in manufacturing I was most alarmed.
I recall sending a rash of e-mails to local and national associations and unions seeking some support for an attempt to get my fellow board members to insist on a change in the plans.
No response.
The board's vote was four-to-one for the plan proposed by the administration. Mine was the only dissenting vote.
Perhaps a short course in educational politics and priorities is in order if we want to get qualified entry-level employees.
School boards are the final deciders in matters of this nature. Unfortunately school boards are, in general, elected former PTA officers, teachers from adjoining districts, or other citizens, usually well intentioned, but poorly informed about education.
In my opinion this is why we have an educational crisis in this country. We not only do not train youth for employment, we do not train most of the supposed "academic" students well enough to compete for seats in competitive colleges or to do well in comparisons with international education.
Instead of dealing with issues we might consider "important," school boards deal with priority issues such as who will be the football coach, should schools have more athletic teams, what color are the restrooms, and other non-impact type issues.
Why is this so? Several reasons: parents seem far more concerned about social and athletic issues than "stuffy curriculum." Some administrations wish to keep the boards busy with this stuff, so that they don't meddle in important subjects. Consequently, most school board members rely on their administrations for any, or all, information regarding education.
Since being a school board member is an unpaid position, with awesome responsibilities, it may be some excuse for this lack of focus on the spending of tax dollars and the education of our future citizens.
It has been my experience that any pressure group that is persistent, insistent, and consistent, gets action from school boards that, in their view, is positive.
This brings us back to my original premise. When was the last time that a team of manufacturing employers participated in the decision-making process of local educational organizations?
If proper education for employment in the local market is an issue, the solution to this will require that employers exert their influence upon the decision makers.
As I often ask, "Where are the adults?"
Charles Hoff
School Board Director, retired
Federal Way School District
Kent, WA
Enhancing the Machinist's Art
I thought the article by Norman Bleier [August 2007, Vol. 41, No. 8, Controlling Interest, Muskets and Machining, p. 17] was most informative. It doesn't save time, money or effort, but it does provide a context and background that enhances the machinist's art.
Vincent Bozzone
President
Delta Dynamics, Inc.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
MAN will be addressing manufacturing education in an upcoming issue – Editor
To contribute your thoughts and ideas, e-mail the editor, Pete Nofel, at pnofel@nelsonpub.com,or write him at Modern Applications News, 6001 Cochran Road, Suite 104,Solon OH 44139. We verify all letters considered for publication, so be sure to include your telephone number. All submissions are subject to editing for space, editorial specifications, and decorum.