Real-Life Math
You are working on a CNC machine. Your current projects include
creating aluminum screws for medical use. Orthopedic surgeons use these rustproof
screws to fasten bones. Another project involves creating a metal item that
is used by warplanes to squirt fuel into the big carburetors.
Much
of the work you do involves very small measurements. You are often working
with measurements of 0.0005 of an inch. Paper is 0.0004 of an inch thick,
so that gives you an idea of how precise this work can be. Many of the tools
of the trade are precision calibrated on a monthly basis.
"You need
to have accurate math skills more than anything else," says Ken Ellis. He's
chair of the Center for Advanced Technologies at a college, which includes
a CNC program.
"To do most programming, and especially
with all the software they have now, usually as long as you understand algebra,
geometry and trigonometry... you don't need calculus, you don't need higher-end
math," says Ellis. "But you have to be able to work accurately because every
decimal point that you're out on the calculation then gets put into the program,
which means (the error) gets inherent in all the parts."
You are given
a blueprint from the engineers. The engineers have marked the measurements
in inches. You must convert these measurements into decimal points when you
set up your CNC machine.
Convert the following:
1 inch
1/2
of an inch
1/4 of an inch
1/8 of an inch
1/32 of an inch
1/64
of an inch
6 inches
13 1/2 inches