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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: June 13th, 2023

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  • Here’s the issue I have with your position… AI is such a generic term it’s difficult to have a fulfilling conversation using it but in my field a form of AI like machine learning is going to eliminate an entire sector of manufacturing… Boutique precision machined components have been thought as an impenetrable wall against AI but it’s basically the same lackluster defense used not long ago about Generative images couldn’t produce hands properly… It’s not a matter of if but when.

    Imo, the catastrophe happens when a successful AI scales. Or perhaps rather how suddenly a successful AI model will bury the existing system into irrelevancy. Boeing and most aerospace manufacturers have a machinist union but none of that will protect against a future where people are no longer necessary.

    I don’t think it’s wrong to have AI eliminate jobs but it shouldn’t come without warning. I think it’s rather forward looking to be monitoring ongoing AI projects and establish contingencies for folks who will become displaced by it’s rapid spread.



  • I wonder if that shares the same physics as silvent’s compressed air guns.

    Silvent’s air nozzles reduce the sound level when blowing with compressed air compared to blowing through open pipes. This is due in part to the reduction in noisy turbulence from using Silvent’s air nozzles, and also because of the nozzles’ special design. Silvent’s air nozzles pass the compressed air through small holes and slots, which raises the sound to frequencies beyond what the human ear can perceive. This allows us to make blowing with compressed air both quiet and efficient.

    Could use an even quieter compressed air gun








  • Is it surprising that a publicly traded company is going to drive down quality to meet (or in spirit areospace’s case - attempt to make) profits?

    The union also has clashed with Spirit over whether machinists should ever be responsible for checking their own work. Workers say having separate inspectors sign off on individual work is critical for quality control; Spirit and Boeing executives say that technological advances have reduced the need for separate inspectors in some cases.

    Bad bad idea. Do not let machinists sign off on a inspection report. The incentive to hide mistakes is far too great.





  • Most, if not all, aerospace tools that take a measurement requires periodic calibration and assurance that the tool is performing to spec.

    There can be thousands of unique tools that must pass through its own respective calibration process and documentation. Micrometers, calipers, torque wrenches, and even scales.

    Having a networked tool can save the hassle of operators mis-reading or just plain ignoring the calibration sticker. Also, knowing the “location” of the tool on an inventory sheet isn’t quite like knowing which side of a 747 for the wrench that is due for calibration.

    Also this is just me hypothesizing… I presume there are a number of other benefits like automated logging of torque values for every single bolt installed with such tool. When the FAA audits for installation information regarding a single screw on a plane’s 3rd row window side infotainment system’s upper left mount… The data is easier to find.

    This is all part of “industry 4.0” connected manufacturing for more efficient and lean manufacturing. Collect and process any data you could ever want to make the decisions for a manufacturer to do more with even less.



  • Some have even argued that because America’s software and internet sectors have been so lucrative, talent has been diverted away from older industries.

    Please just say the quiet part loudly. Wages in manufacturing are disproportionately lower than other jobs with much less skill required. Tool and die machinists in socal have wages close to McDonald’s/Costco workers.

    Sorry but how is grinding a punch form within .004mm, (dis) assembling stamping dies with incredible complexity for 10hrs a day without any procedural error premitted comparable with food assembly… One could put the lettuce before the pickles and no one would bat an eye. Put the wrong die in a station and production halts for hours costing hundreds of thousands of lost profits.

    I believe the same can be said about construction as well.

    Naturally, making physical goods rather than virtual ones mean less margins but of course the C-level executives must have their billion/multimillion salary bonus every year… Wonder what barrel they scrape all that extra money from…hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm