Capture and preserve machinist expertise before it retires. Structured knowledge extraction for CNC operations, troubleshooting, and process optimization. USE WHEN user says 'capture knowledge', 'document expertise', 'what does [name] know', 'troubleshooting tips', 'how do we handle', 'interview machinist', or 'tribal knowledge'.
Purpose: Extract, structure, and preserve the hard-won knowledge in your machinists' heads before they retire or leave.
Category: Machine Tips
Machine: [specific model]
Topics:
- Warm-up procedures
- Spindle characteristics
- Known quirks/issues
- Best practices for accuracy
- Pallet system tips
- CELOS shortcuts
- Probe calibration secrets
- Coolant management
Category: Machine Tips
Machine: [specific model]
Topics:
- Chuck pressure settings by material
- Sub-spindle synchronization
- Live tooling alignment
- Bar feeder setup tricks
- Tailstock usage
- Steady rest positioning
- Tool turret indexing issues
Category: Machine Tips
Machine: Hardinge Twin Spindle
Topics:
- Achieving ±0.003mm consistently
- Temperature compensation
- Collet selection
- Transfer accuracy
- Spindle warm-up ritual
Category: Machine Tips
Machine: [Laser Head / LFV]
Topics:
- Guide bushing selection and setup
- Oil viscosity effects
- LFV parameter tuning
- Gang tool alignment
- Bar stock quality issues
- Chip evacuation
- Sub-spindle pickup
Category: Machine Tips
Machine: [Wire / Spark]
Topics:
- Wire threading tricks
- Cutting hardened materials
- Surface finish optimization
- Electrode wear compensation
- Flushing strategies
- Dielectric maintenance
Category: Machine Tips
Machine: [Mini Mill / Tool Room Lathe]
Topics:
- Quick setup tricks
- Vice alignment
- Tool length shortcuts
- When to use vs. production machines
Category: Material Tips
Material: [e.g., 316 Stainless Steel]
Properties:
- Machinability notes
- Work hardening behavior
- Chip formation
- Heat sensitivity
Recommended:
- Cutting speeds
- Feed rates
- Depth of cut limits
- Tool grades
- Coolant type
Warnings:
- Common failures
- Things to avoid
Machine_Specific:
- Best machine for this material
- Special settings
Category: Operation Tips
Operation: [e.g., Thread Milling]
Applicable_Machines:
- List of machines
Setup:
- Key setup considerations
Parameters:
- Recommended starting points
- Adjustment guidelines
Quality:
- How to verify
- Common issues
Troubleshooting:
- Problem → Solution pairs
Category: Troubleshooting
Problem: [Clear description of symptom]
Symptoms:
- What operator sees/hears/measures
Possible_Causes:
- Cause 1
- Cause 2
- Cause 3
Diagnosis:
- How to identify root cause
Solutions:
- Solution for each cause
Prevention:
- How to avoid in future
Machine_Specific: [if applicable]
Added_By: [Name]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
Category: Setup Secret
Title: [Descriptive title]
Applies_To:
- Machine(s)
- Operation(s)
- Part type(s)
The_Secret:
- What to do (step by step)
Why_It_Works:
- Explanation
Time_Saved: [estimate]
Discovered_By: [Name]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
Category: Customer Knowledge
Customer: [Name]
Part_Numbers:
- List of parts
Special_Requirements:
- Quality expectations
- Packaging
- Documentation
- Certifications
History:
- Past issues
- What worked
- What to avoid
Key_Contacts:
- Name, role, preferences
Use this for capturing knowledge on-the-fly:
## Quick Tip
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**From:** [Name]
**Category:** [ ] Machine [ ] Material [ ] Operation [ ] Troubleshooting [ ] Setup
**Machine:** [if applicable]
**Material:** [if applicable]
### The Situation
[When does this apply?]
### The Tip
[What's the knowledge?]
### Why It Matters
[What happens if you don't know this?]
Use this for deep knowledge extraction sessions:
# Knowledge Capture Session
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Expert:** [Name]
**Interviewer:** [Name]
**Years Experience:**
**Specialty Areas:**
---
## Opening Questions
1. What machine(s) do you know best?
2. What's the trickiest material you work with regularly?
3. What job are you most proud of getting right?
---
## Machine Deep-Dive: [Machine Name]
### Setup
- What's the first thing you do when setting up a new job?
- What do most people forget or skip?
- What's your warm-up routine?
### Running
- How do you know when something's about to go wrong?
- What sounds/vibrations do you listen for?
- What do you check during a long run?
### Troubleshooting
- What's the most common problem on this machine?
- Walk me through your diagnosis process
- What's a problem that looks like X but is actually Y?
### Tips
- If you could tell a new operator one thing about this machine?
- What took you years to figure out?
- What does the manual not tell you?
---
## Material Deep-Dive: [Material]
- What's different about machining this vs. mild steel?
- What tool grades work best?
- What feeds/speeds do you actually use (vs. book values)?
- How do you handle chip control?
- What coolant settings?
- What failures have you seen?
---
## Operation Deep-Dive: [Operation]
- Walk me through your approach
- What's the critical step most people rush?
- How do you verify quality?
- What's your backup plan when it's not working?
---
## Problem Scenarios
"What do you do when..."
1. [Specific problem 1]
2. [Specific problem 2]
3. [Specific problem 3]
---
## The Question
"If you were retiring tomorrow and could only pass on three things, what would they be?"
1.
2.
3.
---
## Follow-Up Items
- [ ] Item to clarify
- [ ] Documentation to create
- [ ] Demonstration to observe
When someone is leaving, capture:
# Exit Knowledge Capture: [Name]
**Last Day:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Years at MNMUK:**
**Primary Machines:**
## Critical Knowledge Areas
### Must Capture Before They Leave
- [ ] [Specific knowledge item 1]
- [ ] [Specific knowledge item 2]
- [ ] [Specific knowledge item 3]
### Jobs Only They Know How to Run
| Part Number | Customer | What's Special |
|-------------|----------|----------------|
| | | |
### Relationships
- Key customer contacts they manage
- Supplier relationships
- Internal people they mentor
### Undocumented Processes
- Things they do that aren't in any setup sheet
- Workarounds they've developed
- Calibration routines they follow
### Scheduled Sessions
| Date | Topic | Duration | Captured |
|------|-------|----------|----------|
| | | | [ ] |
Store captured knowledge in: ~/.claude/skills/TribalKnowledge/knowledge/
{category}_{machine/material}_{topic}_{date}.md
Examples:
- troubleshooting_nlx2500_chatter_2024-01-15.md
- material_316ss_swiss_tips_2024-01-10.md
- setup_nvm3000_pallet_alignment_2024-01-08.md
- customer_acme_threading_specs_2024-01-05.md
Each entry should include: