Operator Training from Your Distributor

In today’s tough market, you need every advantage you can find to stay ahead of the competition and remain profitable. Whether you’re a customer with a brand new Okuma machine tool or an existing customer with legacy Okumas, your distributor has solutions for your training needs.

New Machine Training

When you get a brand new machine there’s a steep learning curve. Technology is always changing, and learning the latest and greatest about your new purchase is necessary to get up and running in a timely fashion. Let’s face it; what usually happens in this case is your operators learn the basics so they can start producing parts immediately. What often gets missed in these training sessions is the advanced training that can help you optimize part production by taking advantage of new options and new technology. Even the experienced operator usually doesn’t know about the benefits and time savers available to him in a new machine tool. I recommend having the trainer come back for more advanced training after the operator becomes comfortable with everything he learned on the initial training. It would be a good idea to schedule this a month or two after initial training.

New Operator Training

You may have an existing machine tool and a new operator. Most customers think that training internally is the way to go when hiring a new operator. There are two problems with doing it this way. Number one is you’re often tying up one of your most talented operators, taking up his time and productivity in your shop to train the new guy. Second problem is the operator in your shop is probably not trained to instruct. He may be a great operator but that doesn’t necessarily make him a great trainer. Distributor Applications Engineers are professional trainers; we can help you get a new guy on track without disrupting the production of your other employees.

Ongoing Advanced Operator Training

Even the most skilled operators can benefit from training. You have a busy shop; your operators often don’t have time to try new things. Chances are there are options not being used on your existing machine tool or better approaches to the work that is currently being done. When your operator was first trained he may have only grasped the basics and he is ready for more. Advanced operator training will give your operator the time and the confidence to help boost productivity, reduce cycle times and reduce set up time.

Whatever your training need is, your Okuma distributor has the resources to help you be successful.

Thanks to Gus Gustafson (Thomas Skinner) for providing this article.