Machining Blog

01/07/2026

NEW BLOG POST ALERT!

Debunking common misconceptions about the trade. Machining is one of those trades that often sits in the shadows of public awareness, until you need a precision part, a custom prototype, or a component that simply must work. Yet, despite its critical role in manufacturing, machining is surrounded

01/04/2026

NEW BLOG POST ALERT!

A modern machinist typically progresses through five career stages: apprenticeship, journeyman machinist, specialization, senior or expert machinist, and leadership or mentorship roles. Advancement depends on hands-on experience, technical training, certifications, and continuous learning as machini

01/02/2026

https://machiningblog.com/home/from-design-to-reality-what-it-takes-to-make-a-part-on-a-cnc-mill/

CNC milling offers precise and flexible solutions for manufacturing. Beyond operating the machine, producing parts demands solid design skills, technical knowledge, and effective process management. This article outlines the key steps in making a CNC-milled part, detailing the process from concept

12/30/2025

NEW BLOG POST

Creating a flawless part with accurate measurements requires thoughtful planning, skilled engineering, and dedicated craftsmanship. This blog article outlines each stage of the process, from the initial idea to the thorough final inspection.

12/28/2025

NEW BLOG POST ALERT!

If you’ve ever marveled at the precision of an airplane engine, the smooth glide of a medical device, or the intricate parts inside your car, you’ve already seen the handiwork of machinists. Machining is the art and science of shaping raw materials, often metal or plastic into precise components...

12/23/2025

https://machiningblog.com/home/inside-the-shop-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-precision-machinist/

The shop floor hums before the sun is fully up. The air carries a faint scent of machine oil, and the rhythmic clatter of metal on metal is already underway. For a precision machinist, the day doesn’t just begin with a clock-in—it begins with a mindset: accuracy above all else .

11/20/2025

Across the country, educators are searching for meaningful ways to prepare students for life after high school. At Cardinal Manufacturing in Strum, Wisconsin, that preparation is at the core of their mission. The program’s primary goal is to equip students with the technical skills, confidence, an...

04/11/2025

It's that exciting time of year again! Our Open House is just around the corner, and we're thrilled to announce our raffle! Tickets are available for just $10 each, or 3 for $20 – a great deal for a chance to win some amazing prizes!

Thanks to our generous local businesses, you can also purchase your tickets at:

Robbe's in Strum
Strum Hardware
HighwayHub In Eleva

You can also contact a current Cardinal Manufacturing student. Don't miss out – get your tickets today and support local, while having a shot at winning big! Thank you in advance for supporting our program.

01/08/2025

BLOG POST

Here is a great list of CNC Machining terms!

The CNC Machining industry has many specialized terms for tooling, machines, and other technology. Here is our list of things to know about machining with CNC equipment.      Blueprint Reading - The term blueprint reading means that someone interprets ideas

01/04/2025

* NEW BLOG POST ALERT *

CNC is an acronym for Computer Numerical Controlled. CNC is a type of machining practice. Besides CNC the other type of machining is manual machining. In CNC machining the workpiece is held in the machine and the CNC Programmer writes code so that the CNC machine can machine the workpiece. The CNC M