Hiring an additional CMM operator

[[Je...]]

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We would like to add an additional CMM operator to our team, but there seems to be a shortage of Zeiss-trained programmers/operators. This wasn't a surprise, but the question still remains, "how do we add an additional CMM operator who can become capable within approximately six months."

I should specify that although we are looking primarily for an operator, not a programmer, we are not a high volume facility. We focus on specialized, tight-toleranced parts, and being able to analyze measurement results will be critical. This person will definitely be more than a button-pusher.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. Thanks!





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[[Da...]]

It is difficult to find someone with any CMM experience, I was a machinist so I already knew GD&T and was somewhat familiar with Zeiss and calypso. Whoever you hire should know GD&T at the least and be familiar with X,Y,and Z directions. If they have no experience, I think 6 months to be proficient is asking a bit much. You will have to work with them a lot at first. Once they know the basics, you can let them work alone. Good luck finding someone.

[[Ro...]]

Big difference between an operator and a programmer. You should be able to hire anybody with CMM experience or train somebody to be an operator, as the skillset is much smaller. Depending on the level of documentation you provide for part setups to the operator and automating things like probe qualification, they could be up and running within a couple of weeks to a month or two, depending on their aptitude. .

Programmer is a whole other thing. Good Calypso programmers are hard to find from my experience. Usually it takes hiring an experienced PC-DMIS programmer and training them in the ways of Calypso. A good candidate should be able to be up to speed in 6 months to be really proficient with Calypso, but ongoing education is a must, IMO. There's a lot inside of Calypso if you're going to be using curve, freeform, Piweb, etc to their full potential, as opposed to mostly checking primitive geometric features and doing basic reporting.

[[Ow...]]

CMM programmers are like shoes, there is not a one size fits all. One might be a high school dropout or have a master’s degree.
There are so many variables that control what type of skills a CMM programmer may need it can be difficult to identify exactly what level of skills are needed.

However, being mathematical competent, analytical thinking, detail oriented, troubleshooting skills and in my view, a candidate should be computer literate, be able to see things in 3D, GD&T knowledge and have experience with checking multiple types of parts with manual gauges/fixturing are of most importance. With no experience and no way of double-checking parts, a programmer is going to learn a lot of things the hard way and it can be costly.

Several things to consider:

Is cad available on every part?
How many different types of parts or how many programs would you expect a programmer need to do in a year?

Is the programmer going to be asked to evaluate large amounts of data to support CP/CPK output and adjust programs accordingly to satisfy uncertainty caused by the way the part is checked?

Are the programmers responsible for designing their own CMM fixtures and drawings and ordering probes?

Does the company the CMM programmer makes programs for have to adhere to a strict quality standard and audits?

Are the programs used to support 1st article inspections only and just need updated for revisions occasionally?

Are the programs expected to check outsourced parts made by other companies that have their own CMM to check parts (experience is crucial here)?

Is the programming to support ever-changing product development, reverse engineering?

Are the programs heavily loaded with multiple datum references, true positions, and profiles?

Do the parts consist of a lot of partial arc’s, involute/cycloidal curvatures?

Are most sizes and tolerances in a program less than 0.005mm?

An advantage I had when I started was that I programmed and run CNC machines to make parts for several years prior and I could easily correlate machined errors to the CNC axis or fixturing causing the problem.

In an simplified view, experience is nothing more than making mistakes, learning from them and if you hire somebody with a lot of experience, you’re not going to have to pay for the mistakes they’ve already made:-)

[[Cl...]]

Haven't read most of all the response, so I might be repeating some already stated stuff. I think the interview is the key, whether they have CMM experience or not. My HR always includes me in on the interview. I asked some relevant questions to get a feel
for the candidates competency. We hired a PC-DMIS guy. He was able to catch on quickly.

[[SH...]]

I think hiring from foreign country would not be a bad Idea.

[[Je...]]

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Thanks, Shabu! Are you offering to relocate 🙂 ? I actually had the opportunity to visit India briefly for a college internship (Kolkata, mostly). I loved my time there and the people I met. I wish I could go back.



Jeff Frodermann
CMM Programmer
Windings, Inc.
New Ulm, Minnesota

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[[Je...]]

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Those are some outstanding questions for consideration, Owen. I am going to keep them in a folder for hiring/onboarding. I agree that learning from mistakes can be a valuable part of the process.


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[[SH...]]

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I just told an option, one year I worked in Malaysia as a foreign programmer. You can get a good programer with less package ( according to your country).

[[Ji...]]

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Dang Owen you just described my job with all of your questions.

[[Da...]]

train somebody
but somebody who wats it
and who wants to be good in it
be a good teacher
and nothing more is important.