Pushing for remote Fridays in our shop got me some side-eye, but here's why it works

Everyone in my shop thinks CNC operators need to be hands-on all the time, but I've been doing remote programming for a year now. My manager agreed to let me work from home on Thursdays to focus on G-code without distractions. I use simulation software to check my programs before sending them to the machine. It saves time and cuts down on mistakes. Some coworkers say I'm slacking, but I get more done. Last month, I found a possible crash in the sim that would have meant lost hours. Yeah, I miss the shop talk, but the quiet lets me focus. It might not work for all, but saying no to it without trying is just dumb.

2 comments

2 Comments

grant_ross276d ago

Seriously, you caught a crash in simulation that would have lost hours? That's huge! Machine crashes cost so much money and time to fix. Working from home lets you focus without all the shop distractions. Your coworkers might not see it, but stopping one bad mistake proves remote work helps. It's smart to use tools that prevent problems before they happen. More places should try this if it means less downtime and better code.

piper5585d ago

Used to be sure remote coders missed shop floor context. Watched a sim crash get caught in pre-check last week, changed my mind. Proper testing tools at home caught a g-code loop I'd have missed with all the noise here. Debugging from my kitchen table saved a full machine halt.