2 answers
Kristofer
Student
Northampton, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
314 views
How does people improve on their manufacturing skills outside of work and school? #FALL22
I am in school and I work, but I still want to improve more.
Login to comment
2 answers
J. V.
Procurement & Business Operations
4
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
J.’s Answer
Hi Kristofer,
I suggest focusing on your personal interest and make use of what you have. Look at creating something from scratch. I know it might sound silly but build a birdhouse or try to create a better mouse trap. When I was little, I would take scraps of wood and left over nuts & bolts to create my own miniature towns and other accessories for toy cars. I would also tinker with car and bicycle parts, taking them apart, seeing how they work and putting them back together.
At this point you might be asking, how does that improve your manufacturing skills. The best teacher is experience, the more you build or create on your own the more you learn. For example, before building your birdhouse draw up plans, create a parts list, outline all your expenses, draft step by step instructions. Then, give your outline to a friend to see if they can follow all your guides and create a copy of your birdhouse. Together, you will discover what works or what is missing and how to replicate an individual part or completed product.
If you already mastered that move on to something more complex & bigger. Help a friend or relative fix their old car or repair a leaky faucet in the home. You will help a friend and learn some valuable manufacturing skills along the way. Start with the basics to create a foundation of general knowledge and then build up from there until. Do not rush through projects, take your time to learn and understand how everything comes together. Go beyond the initial build and look at the underlying process. What tools did you need, what resources did you have to reference. Learn from your mistakes and don't get discouraged. Best of luck.
I suggest focusing on your personal interest and make use of what you have. Look at creating something from scratch. I know it might sound silly but build a birdhouse or try to create a better mouse trap. When I was little, I would take scraps of wood and left over nuts & bolts to create my own miniature towns and other accessories for toy cars. I would also tinker with car and bicycle parts, taking them apart, seeing how they work and putting them back together.
At this point you might be asking, how does that improve your manufacturing skills. The best teacher is experience, the more you build or create on your own the more you learn. For example, before building your birdhouse draw up plans, create a parts list, outline all your expenses, draft step by step instructions. Then, give your outline to a friend to see if they can follow all your guides and create a copy of your birdhouse. Together, you will discover what works or what is missing and how to replicate an individual part or completed product.
If you already mastered that move on to something more complex & bigger. Help a friend or relative fix their old car or repair a leaky faucet in the home. You will help a friend and learn some valuable manufacturing skills along the way. Start with the basics to create a foundation of general knowledge and then build up from there until. Do not rush through projects, take your time to learn and understand how everything comes together. Go beyond the initial build and look at the underlying process. What tools did you need, what resources did you have to reference. Learn from your mistakes and don't get discouraged. Best of luck.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Kristofer
Bryce Hoffer
OLDP Superintendent
2
Answers
Topeka, Kansas
Updated
Bryce’s Answer
Hello Kristofer,
Assuming you are inquiring about the manufacturing processes of facilities, here is my best advice.
If you want to learn manufacturing just examine what’s around you and pick an item. For example, a water bottle. Ask these questions
1. What material is the water bottle made of?
2. How does the bottle get its shape?
3. Is this a single mold?
4. Etc…
After you have concluded your questions, research the item. Watch YouTube, read articles, asks friends or strangers online!
[Recommend YouTube video I watched in undergrad: “The ingenious design of the aluminum beverage can by engineerguy” ]
You’re skills improve when you find out the plethora of methodologies used to create something so simple.
Assuming you are inquiring about the manufacturing processes of facilities, here is my best advice.
If you want to learn manufacturing just examine what’s around you and pick an item. For example, a water bottle. Ask these questions
1. What material is the water bottle made of?
2. How does the bottle get its shape?
3. Is this a single mold?
4. Etc…
After you have concluded your questions, research the item. Watch YouTube, read articles, asks friends or strangers online!
[Recommend YouTube video I watched in undergrad: “The ingenious design of the aluminum beverage can by engineerguy” ]
You’re skills improve when you find out the plethora of methodologies used to create something so simple.