This OMIC/OSU practicum project centered on designing, toolpathing, machining, and assembling a custom pair of tongue-and-groove pliers. It gave me a chance to work through the full subtractive manufacturing process while learning Mastercam, feeds and speeds, fixturing, dry runs, and the practical decisions needed to get from concept to finished hardware.
Finished custom tongue-and-groove pliers after machining and assembly.
CAD model used to develop the pliers geometry as an assembly before moving into manufacturing.
Mastercam setup used to prepare the machining operations for the final pliers components.
Shop-floor visual from the practicum presentation highlighting the milling work used to produce the final parts.
Alongside the personal project, the practicum included training across welding, machining, and PLC fundamentals through the OMIC Training Center at PCC. I also completed pre-trades advanced manufacturing training along with OSHA 30 and forklift certification.
A lot of the value came from the manufacturing fundamentals around the build: feeds and speeds, G-code exposure, conventional versus climb milling, chip control, dry runs, and the overall discipline of setting up a part so the machining process is repeatable and safe.