tribalknowledge

name	Tribalknowledge
description	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'.
effort	medium

TribalKnowledge - Expertise Preservation System

Purpose: Extract, structure, and preserve the hard-won knowledge in your machinists' heads before they retire or leave.

The Problem

• Average machinist age: 55+
• Years to develop expertise: 10-20
• Time to capture it: Now
• Cost of lost knowledge: Scrap, rework, downtime, lost customers

When to Activate

• "Capture what Dave knows about the Swiss machines"
• "Document troubleshooting for [problem]"
• "Interview template for machinist knowledge"
• "What tips do we have for [operation/material/machine]?"
• "Add tribal knowledge entry"
• Before someone retires or leaves

---

Knowledge Categories

1. Machine-Specific Knowledge

DMG MORI Mills (NMV3000, DMU50, NHX500)

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

DMG MORI Lathes (NLX2500, ALX2000)

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

HARDINGE

Category: Machine Tips
Machine: Hardinge Twin Spindle
Topics:
  - Achieving ±0.003mm consistently
  - Temperature compensation
  - Collet selection
  - Transfer accuracy
  - Spindle warm-up ritual

CITIZEN Swiss

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

MITSUBISHI EDM

Category: Machine Tips
Machine: [Wire / Spark]
Topics:
  - Wire threading tricks
  - Cutting hardened materials
  - Surface finish optimization
  - Electrode wear compensation
  - Flushing strategies
  - Dielectric maintenance

Haas

Category: Machine Tips
Machine: [Mini Mill / Tool Room Lathe]
Topics:
  - Quick setup tricks
  - Vice alignment
  - Tool length shortcuts
  - When to use vs. production machines

---

2. Material-Specific Knowledge

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

Common Materials at MNMUK

• Aluminium (6061, 7075, 2024)
• Stainless (303, 304, 316, 17-4PH)
• Steel (4140, 4340, 1018, 1045)
• Tool Steel (D2, H13, S7, A2)
• Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V, CP Ti)
• Inconel (718, 625)
• Brass/Bronze
• Plastics (Delrin, PEEK, Nylon)

---

3. Operation-Specific Knowledge

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

Key Operations

• OD Turning (rough/finish)
• ID Boring
• Threading (single-point, thread mill, tapping)
• Drilling (standard, peck, gun)
• Face milling
• Pocket milling
• Contouring
• 5-axis simultaneous
• Wire EDM profiling
• Spark EDM cavities
• Swiss sliding head turning
• Part-off operations
• Knurling
• Grooving

---

4. Troubleshooting Knowledge

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]

Common Problem Categories

• Dimensional issues (oversize, undersize, taper)
• Surface finish problems
• Tool wear/breakage
• Chatter/vibration
• Chip control issues
• Machine alarms
• Coolant problems
• Workholding failures

---

5. Setup Secrets

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]

---

6. Customer/Part-Specific Knowledge

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

---

Knowledge Capture Templates

Quick Capture (5 minutes)

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?]

Structured Interview (30-60 minutes)

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?

---



"What do you do when..."

 [Specific problem 1]
 [Specific problem 2]
 [Specific problem 3]

---



"If you were retiring tomorrow and could only pass on three things, what would they be?"





---


 [ ] Item to clarify
 [ ] Documentation to create
 [ ] Demonstration to observe

Exit Interview Checklist

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 |
|------|-------|----------|----------|
| | | | [ ] |

---

Knowledge Storage Format

Store captured knowledge in: ~/.claude/skills/TribalKnowledge/knowledge/

File Naming Convention

{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

Searchable Tags

Each entry should include:

tags:
  - machine:[machine_name]
  - material:[material]
  - operation:[operation]
  - problem:[problem_type]
  - expert:[person_name]
  - confidence:[high/medium/low]

---

Integration Points

→ CNCSetup Skill

Knowledge entries auto-populate "Tips" sections in setup sheets:

• Machine-specific tips for that machine's template
• Material tips when material is specified
• Operation tips for relevant operations

→ PlantCapability Skill

Material knowledge informs machine selection:

• "316SS? Swiss machines with LFV work best"
• "Inconel? Consider EDM for complex features"

→ AutomotiveManufacturing Skill

Tribal knowledge feeds into:

• Work instruction quality notes
• Control plan special considerations
• Training materials

---

Quick Reference: Interview Questions

For Any Machine

1. What's the first thing you check?
2. What sound tells you something's wrong?
3. What does everyone get wrong at first?
4. What's not in the manual?

For Any Material

1. What's different about this vs. steel?
2. What tool coating works?
3. What coolant settings?
4. How do you get good chips?

For Any Problem

1. What does it look like when this happens?
2. What causes it?
3. How do you diagnose it?
4. How do you fix it?
5. How do you prevent it?

---

Knowledge Capture Priorities

Urgent (Capture Now)

• Anyone over 60 or discussing retirement
• Single points of failure (only one person knows)
• High-value/high-complexity jobs
• Customer-specific requirements

Important (Schedule Sessions)

• Machine specialists for each platform
• Material experts (exotic alloys, plastics)
• Quality/inspection expertise
• Tooling and workholding knowledge

Ongoing (Continuous Capture)

• Quick tips as they arise
• Problem resolutions
• New discoveries
• Process improvements

---

Example Entries

Example: Troubleshooting Entry

# Chatter on NLX2500 Finishing Passes

**Category:** Troubleshooting
**Machine:** DMG MORI NLX2500
**Added By:** Dave Smith
**Date:** 2024-01-15
**Confidence:** High

## Problem
Chatter marks appearing on OD finish passes, especially on parts >150mm diameter.

## Symptoms
- Visible pattern on surface (typically 0.8-1.2mm pitch)
- Audible high-frequency noise
- Inconsistent surface finish (Ra varying)

## Causes
1. **Tool overhang too long** (most common)
2. Worn insert edge
3. Incorrect nose radius for DOC
4. Part not rigid in chuck
5. Coolant pressure inconsistent

## Diagnosis
1. Check tool stickout - should be <4x shank diameter
2. Inspect insert under magnification
3. Verify nose radius vs. programmed DOC
4. Check chuck pressure and jaw contact
5. Monitor coolant flow during cut

## Solutions
1. Reduce overhang or use larger boring bar
2. Replace insert
3. Reduce DOC or change nose radius
4. Increase chuck pressure, check jaw contact area
5. Adjust coolant pump, check filters

## Prevention
- Standard: Max 3x overhang for finishing
- Log insert usage, change proactively
- Match nose radius to DOC (rule: DOC < 2/3 nose radius)

tags:
  - machine:nlx2500
  - operation:od-turning
  - problem:chatter
  - expert:dave-smith
  - confidence:high

Example: Material Entry

# 316 Stainless Steel - Swiss Machining Tips

**Category:** Material Tips
**Material:** 316 Stainless Steel
**Machine:** CITIZEN Swiss (both models)
**Added By:** Mike Johnson
**Date:** 2024-01-12
**Confidence:** High

## Material Behavior
- Work hardens quickly - don't dwell or rub
- Gummy chips, wants to weld to tool
- Heat builds up fast, limited escape path in Swiss

## Recommended Parameters (Starting Points)
| Operation | Speed (m/min) | Feed (mm/rev) | Notes |
|-----------|---------------|---------------|-------|
| OD Rough | 80-100 | 0.08-0.12 | Stay aggressive |
| OD Finish | 120-150 | 0.04-0.06 | Sharp insert critical |
| Drilling | 60-80 | 0.05-0.08 | Peck every 1xD |
| Threading | 40-60 | Per pitch | Single-point preferred |

## Tool Recommendations
- **Insert grade:** PVD coated carbide (avoid CVD - too hot)
- **Geometry:** Sharp, positive rake
- **Coating:** TiAlN or AlTiN
- **Replace at:** First sign of built-up edge, don't push it

## LFV Settings (Game Changer)
- **Use LFV:** YES - makes 316 much easier
- **Frequency:** 10-15 Hz
- **Amplitude:** 0.05-0.1mm
- **Result:** Chips break into small segments, no bird nests

## Coolant
- High-pressure oil essential (min 50 bar)
- Keep oil clean - 316 swarf is abrasive
- Check oil concentration weekly

## Common Failures
1. **Built-up edge** → Increase speed, sharper insert
2.  → Don't make light passes, stay aggressive
  → Enable LFV, adjust feed
  → Better coating, more coolant


 "First pass has to cut, not rub. I start heavier than the book says."
 "When the sound changes, the edge is going. Don't wait."
 "LFV on this machine is the best thing ever for 316."

tags:
 material:316ss
 machine:citizen-swiss
 operation:turning
 expert:mike-johnson
 confidence:high

---

Critical Requirement: Machine-Specific Context

When capturing ANY knowledge entry, you MUST populate machine-specific fields with concrete, machine-specific details — not generic machining advice. Generic advice that applies to "any lathe" or "any mill" is a capture failure.

For every entry, explicitly state:

• Exact machine model (e.g., "CITIZEN L20" not just "Swiss lathe")
• Machine-specific parameters (e.g., guide bushing clearance on that specific machine, collet size range, spindle RPM limits for that model)
• Machine-specific quirks (e.g., "This L20's Y-axis has 0.002mm backlash — always approach from the same direction")
• Why this differs on THIS machine vs. other machines in the shop

If the knowledge could apply equally to a different machine, ask: "What makes this specific to [machine]?" and capture that answer before completing the entry.

Critical Requirement: Produce Actual Knowledge, Not Just Templates

When a user asks to "capture knowledge about [topic]" or provides specific information, immediately produce a filled-out knowledge entry using the relevant template with real content — not a blank template for them to fill in later.

Wrong response: Return an empty template with [machine model], [material], [your tip here] placeholders.

Correct response: Use whatever context is available (machine mentioned, problem described, operation named) to produce a populated entry. If details are missing, make reasonable inferences based on MNMUK's machine list and ask targeted follow-up questions AFTER showing a draft entry.

Example: If asked "capture knowledge about chatter on the Swiss machines," produce a filled entry covering the CITIZEN Swiss (Laser Head / LFV models), specific symptoms (audible frequency, surface pattern pitch), likely causes specific to Swiss guide bushing setups, and concrete parameter adjustments — then ask "Does this match what you've seen? What would you add or correct?"

This also means every entry must capture the WHY behind each practice, not just the WHAT:

• Not just: "Run 15-minute warm-up"
• But: "Run 15-minute warm-up because the spindle grows ~0.008mm thermally in the first 10 minutes — skipping this causes first-part dimensional failures on tight-tolerance bores"

Knowledge without reasoning is fragile. Always explain the mechanism so future machinists can adapt the rule when conditions change.

Workflow Routing

User Intent	Trigger Phrase	Workflow
Capture ad-hoc tip	"capture knowledge", "add tip", "quick tip"	Quick Capture template (5 min)
Deep expert session	"interview", "knowledge session", "what does [name] know"	Structured Interview template
Leaving employee	"exit interview", "retiring", "leaving"	Exit Interview Checklist
Look up existing knowledge	"what do we know about", "tips for", "how do we handle"	Search knowledge base in knowledge/
Machine troubleshooting	"problem with", "alarm on", "chatter", "surface finish"	Troubleshooting Entry template
Material guidance	"machining [material]", "tips for [material]"	Material-Specific Entry template
Setup guidance	"setup tips", "setup secret", "how to set up"	Operation/Setup Entry template

Commands

• "Capture knowledge about [topic]" → Start structured entry
• "Interview template for [person/topic]" → Generate interview guide
• "What do we know about [machine/material/problem]?" → Search knowledge base
• "Add troubleshooting entry for [problem]" → Create troubleshooting record
• "Exit interview checklist for [name]" → Generate capture checklist