Robert Marcos Alvarado, set-up machinist for lathe and multi-task machines (and Jesse’s nephew) tests a job set-up on a Ganesh Cyclone 32CS 7-axis multi-task machine. Gaining Independence and Productivity with a CAM System GibbsCAM Ends Manual Programming at J&R Machine Works ike most people who begin working in a machine shop immediately after high school, Jesse Alvarado started by doing custodial work and deburring parts. In his first few weeks, he became intrigued with machining, and decided he would learn as much as he could. He went to trade school to learn blueprint reading and conventional machining, and showed his boss the parts he was milling and turning in school. His boss tried out Jesse’s capabilities, and with experience, Jesse came to love machining and making parts. He went to school and learned manual G- and Mcode programming, becoming night foreman within a year. Tired of night work, he moved on to another shop where, after a few years, found himself managing the shop, quoting jobs, programming, setting up and machining. In 1989, Jesse opened shop in his own garage, while continuing his regular job. In 1992, after seven years with his second employer and three years in his garage, Jesse rented a 1,200 ft2 space in Lancaster, California, and opened shop as J&R Machine Works. Outgrowing two spaces within two years, he built a 3,100 ft2 shop which now houses 12 employees, running 14 CNCs and assorted support equipment. He later added a 600 ft2 building for metrology and administrative office space

Specializing in aerospace work, both commercial and defense – certified under ISO 9001:2008 and AS-9100-C – the shop experienced rapid growth after 9/11/2001. In the latter half of 2002, J&R Machine started quoting defense jobs, and delivering on a 200-piece order. Business quickly escalated, and J&R was asked to quote 20,000 pieces a year, and won the orders. The shop had no idea we would be at war in March, and it was far into the war that Jesse discovered they had been making parts for AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Relying on defense, the shop grew to 24 employees and maintained three shifts,...

Shop owner, machinist and CNC programmer, Jesse Alvarado, verifies a toolpath in GibbsCAM Cut Part Rendering. The software also lets him save any machining pass as his new “stock,” which allows him to rotate the part (or move it to another machine) to machine from another side, and get smooth blends. Saving and reusing is now as common for Jesse. Saving processes – the machining procedures, toolpath pattern, cutting tool, feeds and speeds – saves a lot of time. Special routines, or speeds and feeds in specific materials, or certain types of part features, are good candidates. “I don’t need to...