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Bardons & Oliver Blog

Travis Miller


Recent Posts

Connections . . .

Jul 9, 2020 3:13:11 PM / by Travis Miller

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There are many factors which can lead to change, growth, and learning opportunities: most of us can safely say we did not see a global pandemic being a huge factor coming into the past 9 months. Yet, here we are, trying to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and each other safe while still attempting to fulfill our business obligations and deliver on due dates and promises made.

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Machining with Pride

Aug 20, 2018 2:38:54 PM / by Travis Miller posted in Contract Machining, job shops, Machine Shop

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We’ve all been told that if we want to succeed in life and in business, that taking pride in what we do is of critical importance. There is a certain thrill that comes from doing something right not just doing something “good enough”.

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Adversity, Leadership, and… Pizza?

Aug 3, 2018 4:09:31 PM / by Travis Miller posted in Insider, job shops

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            I’ve learned a lot in a short time about being a leader. The list of positives and successes far outweigh the challenges and failures, yet much like everything in life there are ebbs and flows, good times and bad, peaks and valleys. Being a leader offers up rewarding experiences like:

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Precision Turning and Your Large Diameter Project

Dec 15, 2017 3:39:47 PM / by Travis Miller posted in Contract Machining, job shops, Machine Shop

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The average human hair measures between .003” and .006”. Now picture a 50” OD with a +/-.001 tolerance. Impressive, correct? Now consider that a 5 degree temperature difference between the part and the piece of inspection equipment used to measure it would throw off the reading by about .0015.

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Investing in Quality: Calibrated Gages

Nov 3, 2017 11:04:03 AM / by Travis Miller posted in Contract Machining, gage calibration, iso 9000

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Investing in Quality: Calibrated Gages

A master woodworker does not use a beat up yardstick while crafting a beautiful table. A world class clothier doesn’t eye ball your body before crafting an exquisite suit. A 4-star chef will use precise tools to measure ingredients to repeat a spectacular recipe. Why would you trust your precision metal work to a shop who didn’t invest in properly calibrated gages and a staff trained to use them correctly?

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Learning to Lead (Lessons from my Fiancé)

Oct 26, 2017 3:04:41 PM / by Travis Miller posted in Insider, Contract Machining

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              I think it’s important to get two things straight before we hop into the topic of leadership, and leading. First, I do not claim to be a great leader, I don’t even claim to be a really good leader. I’m a better leader than I was when I took a leadership role 20 months ago, and I try to get better every single day. Second, my fiancé is smarter than me… by a lot.

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Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes in Machining (Focus, Offsets, and You)

Oct 6, 2017 1:35:49 PM / by Travis Miller posted in Insider, Contract Machining

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                We’ve all done it.  You check a bore, an OD, or any feature, make your adjustment, push start and experience that sinking sensation in your gut as you go to check the result. It’s bad. It’s out of tolerance. If you’re lucky, you just have to adjust and cut it again. If you’re really unlucky, you crash the machine and the rest of your day is spent trying to recover.

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