Together, Ian Wallace and Stan Robinson have more than half a century of
direct experience in the machining trades. Each has a strong urge to help
others entering the manufacturing sector. Mastering CNC Lathe Setup is a
result of this desire.
Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace entered the trade in a small town called Hednesford in England
and found very quickly that he was a natural when it came to learning and
adapting the many skills associated with being a machinist. He was very
fortunate in joining the trade at a time when it was in a state of transition.
Conventional (manual) machines were being replaced by Numerically Controlled
equipment. Soon after Numerical Control was being replaced by Computer
Numerical Control. The speeds, feeds, and overall capabilities of the machines
improved tremendously and Ian grew along with them. Like many operators Ian
aspires to help, he started on the ground floor - as a machine operator. He
eventually held positions as machine setter, programmer, project engineer, and
production engineer. Ian loved what he was doing and developed a desire to
teach others. In 1996 Ian and his family moved to Canada where he gained
employment as a Group Leader, with a precision machining company (B.C.
Instruments) in Schomberg, Ontario. As group leader he was able to dedicate
more time to showing others what he had learned over the years. This fueled a
desire that he had held for some time to write a book that could be used by
anyone studying to enter the trade or by those already in the trade but still
in the early stages of developing their skills.
Stan Robinson
Stan Robinson specialized in machine trades while attending Widdifield
Secondary School in North Bay, Ontario. Fortune would also play a roll in his
development. The first piece of good fortune was being able to study under
Journeyman, Tool and Die maker, teacher, and mentor, Mr. Harley Drew. Mr. Drew
had a great passion for the trade and he made every effort to instill this
passion in his students. Like Ian, Stan entered the trade as a machine operator
and grew to learn and excel at Operation and Setup. A second piece of good
fortune fell on Stan when the company recognized his abilities, knowledge, and
drive, by promoting him into their Engineering department where he worked his
way up to the position of Senior Manufacturing Engineer. Stan found it to be an
interesting and exciting challenge to make the transition from hands on
machining to specifying how the pieces would be machined. The knowledge and
experience gained in design, programming, purchasing, tooling, gauges,
fixtures, machinery, inspection, etc. would prove to be invaluable in the years
to come. It was a natural progression, or at least it seemed so, that Stan
would excel as Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Product Development Manager,
Plant Manager, and General Manager. This took him over the years to Sweden,
England, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. He also worked in
Pennsylvania for several years before moving back to Canada and his home in
North Bay. In 2000, Stan accepted a position as Plant Manager of the Small
Diameter Turning Section of B.C. Instruments. Here he would meet Ian Wallace as
one of the Group Leaders in his Section. Through various discussions and
activities it became evident to the two of them that they shared similar
experiences and an equal desire to pass on the knowledge they had gained over
many years.
