The SCTI Precision Machining program took a trip to Naples, Fl. to tour some major league manufacturers.  SAMA member – Arthrex Medical and contract manufacturer Azimuth Technologies.  A longer ride than normal but well worth it.

First stop was at Aziumth where  LeNoir Zaiser and son Len Zaiser hosted the SCTI crew.  They gave an invigorated talk in the board room about the great need for machinists and the future of machining. They displayed some medical hardware they make at a sister company Structure Medical and then on to the fun stuff. Azimuth is well known as a contract manufacturer for many weapons companies. They are an ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) facility and required us to be US Citizens and of course no photos of work inside the facility.  The students had a blast seeing over 40 Haas CNC Mills and Fanuc Robodril plus 16 CNC turning centers as well as many other types of equipment.  The Zaiser’s emphasised the need for more machinists and project the need for 25-50 in the next year. Azimuth works 2 shifts a day and most workers can put in 52 hour weeks and if possible – double time Sundays. Good work and good wages.  We were very enthusiastic hearing about all this great news.

 Azimuth Technologies

The second leg of our trip was to the very large medical manufacturer – Arthrex.  We were greeted by Lisa Gardiner and then escorted by Jerry Hamm, manufacturing training suprevisor. Jerry led us through many departmants in which we saw different manufacture of titanium replacement components as well as doctors instrumentation devices. This is a clean, clean facility. Arthrex also offers 4 year- 8000 hour Arthrex Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program. At the end of this program a machinist will be a card carrying journeyman numerical control machinist. Jerry was a former instructor at Jone County Jr. College in Mississippi and now helps lead this apprentice program. We also had a very good experience at Arthrex.

In the world of precision machining we now start to see that the need for high precision, the training that is needed and the rewarding work and career that can come from it. Many thanks to Aziumuth and Arthrex. Students will be graduating soon in about 6 wks and we hope they all can get right to work !!