Any suggestions on where we can find a skilled Pick and Place operator?

Ken Gracey

Hey all,

We need your help. We're stepping up our internal manufacturing at Parallax. We need to find a skilled SMT P&P operator. Although we're getting the job done at present on rebuilds, we need to find somebody who is really close to this machine to lead us into higher volume and more efficient setup and production. We've got the tools, but they're no good without somebody who wants an intimate relationship. . . with a new Assembleon P&P machine.

The description is here: http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/temp/PickAndPlace0709.pdf

This position has lots of potential. We can manufacture so much more in Rocklin than we do at present if we can efficiently program, load and run this machine. We've got so many products stacked up to manufacture at the moment. Some of them will be done in our China office, but we've also got a major "Made in the USA" push underway to make the best of our own manufacturing. We've got really nice tools and we need to make them all sing together.

We don't want to train somebody into this position; we're looking for some established skill.

I'm searching the net for ideas on where to post this job description. Any links or tips you could provide are appreciated!

Sincerely,

Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.

Cluso99

Ken, It's a shame you are in the US :-(

I will ask around in Aus - I have some contacts as we ran an assembly house a few years ago.

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Links to other interesting threads:

· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
· Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm

Ken Gracey

Thanks Clusoo99. We are willing to relocate somebody for this position as necessary. California isn't the best place to do manufacturing, so it's likely that we'll find somebody from elsewhere. Visa issues are another story, though.

Ken Gracey

WBA Consulting

Putting the word out through my contacts in the bay area and AZ. "Company X" had some Assembleon equipment at their plants in San Jose and Michigan, so I'll start with my contacts there.

You are right, it is hard to find experienced operators for particular machines. When I started at Packard Bell in 1995, I was the only one of the 32 machine operators hired that had Fuji experience (used Fuji for 3 years at HP in Roseville). My current employer uses Panasonic. I'd love to give you a tour sometime, btw.

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Andrew Williams
WBA Consulting
IT / Web / PCB / Audio

Ken Gracey

Hey Andrew,

Assembleon experience isn't imperative, but preferred.

I'd also enjoy a tour of your current workplace. I'd want to bring Rich and Jen along, too.

Contact me offline so we could work it out kgracey@parallax.com

Thanks for putting the word out on this position. Some of the products that are waiting on our new operator include the PropScope and Ping))) H2O. Our current team could handle the setups for these, but we're adding these to our production line as new products so they'll have a significant impact on other things we manufacture.

Ken Gracey

JimInCA

Ken,
As an engineer with twenty five years experience, I want to thank you for keeping jobs in the US, in California, and in Rocklin. I'm currently living and working in what once use to be called Silicon Vally. Although there's still some engineer going on here, most of the manufacturing have moved else where, and much of it off shore. So it makes me feel good when I see a company that wants to expand their manufacturing here. It makes me glad that I do business with you.
Thanks again...
Jim...

P.S. Sorry if this is slightly off topic, but I just had to say it...

Philldapill

Jim, 100% agreed! Parallax makes some really wonderful products. You guys could probably get more stuff manufactured more cheaply overseas, and make more profit doing it, but it's great that you'll are trying to keep it over here. You guys are one of those few companies that make me actually enjoy hitting that "submit order" button. It's a rare thing now days when a company turns down a little profit to help their own.

I hope you guys find a good operator without too much effort. I know there are tons of people that would love to work for a company like Parallax.

Cluso99

Ken, I asked the couple of persons I thought could do the job, but alas none want to move. I could be interested if we didn't have a new grandchild

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Links to other interesting threads:

· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
· Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm

$WMc%

Mr.Ken Gracey

I Really like Your approach on the "Made in U.S.A." Manufacturing devision of Parallax. Seeing the need for an In-House CNC
programmer and a Machine Operator is just too good to me. Knowing that Parallax has already purchased the equipment makes
me ecstatic.

I am very Patriotic and I buy domestic when ever possible. If we could get the rest of the money hungry Corp. on the same
Band Wagon, the economy would fix it self.!!!!

In few years from now, could I get Parallax to make a PCB for me??????

_____________$WMc%_____________

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The Truth is out there············································ BoogerWoods, FL. USA