Salary vs Hourly

[Flycut]

No machine time here either. I wish I could spend a couple weeks here and there on the machine, I feel it would really benefit my programming. But that just isn't in the cards with where the company's at (I've asked).

That being said, I am allowed to look over the machinists shoulder anytime I want. He gives me a heads up before running any of the crazy stuff I programmed so I can watch / listen with him.

Is that an option for everyone? Or are the "computer guys" supposed to stay in front of the computer at other companies?

I did 2 years straight programming in an office with minimal floor time.
I soon realized I needed to move around and get away from the computer once in a while.
I find it relaxing to run a machine every now and then.

[Elmer Fudd]

I dont get paid. Therefore i eat a lot of wabbit.

[neurosis]

I did 2 years straight programming in an office with minimal floor time.
I soon realized I needed to move around and get away from the computer once in a while.
I find it relaxing to run a machine every now and then.

That's where I was at.  At one time we had 3 programmers. I was full time and then we had two part time who spent the rest of their time on the machines. 

Eventually those two left and we moved more towards a production shop. I was getting burnt out on programming all the time and started setting up and running a lot of our one off parts.

Now I probably run machines as much as I program unless we get a big job in that requires more of my attention.

I like the combination.  I'd be old and fat(ter) If I was stuck at my desk all the time.

[Tim Johnson]

I am wondering how many of you guys programming and putting in copious amounts of OT are also still running a machine at some level?

The only time I ran a machine as a programmer we went down to thirty two hours and I had to run a cnc 2 axis lathe every Monday (1992ish). I had to run it three times and the shop was back to 48 hours.

[MIL-TFP-41]

My time is split. 50% programming, 20% purchasing, 20% running machines, 10% taking care of other shit.
Making chips is still very satisfying, and seems like I can usually cut time off a program after watching it run. Dunno how I got to be the tooling purchasing guy, but not complaining. I get to buy what works.

I don't like to sit in front of a screen for a full day. I find it necessary for my sanity to get up and move around. Purchasing tooling give me a great excuse to do that - talk to whoever is requesting the stuff, find their application, pick the best tool. Ditto running a machine/proving out a program.

[Brian]

I like the combination.  I'd be old and fat(ter) If I was stuck at my desk all the time.

Me too! (Just the old part, not worried about the fatter part yet). I realize it's different here, as it's back to being a one man band at the moment, but the variety is really good. I kid myself that it makes me a better programmer when I have to run my own shit...but it's probably true. Monogamy is overrated!

"Specialization is for insects!"

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
― Lazarus Long — Time Enough for Love (Robert Heinlein)

[Brian]

Having said that, I still kinda hanker for the longer stretches of time it would take to get thru my to-do list of programming-related tweaks I'd like to implement!

But man....can't say I miss being the baby sitter (oops, manager/employer).

[JakeL]

I don't like to sit in front of a screen for a full day. I find it necessary for my sanity to get up and move around.

I think this is what I'm starting to learn about myself. I've been in front of the computer for about 2 years now and while some days I love it, some days I just want to go run a machine, or run a CMM, or something else.

Our shop is 100+ employees now so everyone kind of stays in their own departments.

[YoDoug]

I don't spend much time on machines as far as running parts or proving programs. Our Lathe lead was very new to programming when he started here a few years back but he is coming along well in TopSolid and programs/setup most parts these days. My time in the shop is mostly troubleshooting machine/robot/automation issues and building new automation. I get about a 50/50 mix of shop time and office time. I like it that way. I don't think I would like sitting at my desk all day.

[Jim at Gentex]

I run machines actually more than I program.

We have a number of 'staple' production parts here that I have already programmed and proven out over the years.

Occasionally Engineering will want to tweak a dimension here or there, but for the most part when we get a production order for one of our 'bread & butter' parts, it's pretty much mount the fixture, set the tools, and have at it. 

I still keep up with updating Mastercam, and I do get the occasional 'new' prototype part to program, but for the most part I am running machines.
I don't mind, but I have noticed my programming skills get a little rusty when there are long periods of inactivity on the programming side.