Case Study: J&R Machine Works achieves dramatically faster programming, material savings and multi-axis capability with 3D Systems' GibbsCAM

GibbsCAM Ends Manual Programming at J&R Machine Works

J&R Machine Works, a Lancaster, CA machine shop founded by Jesse Alvarado and specializing in ISO- and AS-certified aerospace work, faced a critical bottleneck when a contract programmer could not program complex surface parts and their existing methods relied almost entirely on manual G‑code. After rapid growth during defense contracts and later demand for more complex multi‑axis work, the shop risked losing jobs and capacity because their software and in‑house skills couldn’t handle advanced surface and multi‑task machining.

Jesse invested in GibbsCAM, completed intensive training, and leveraged features like Cut Part Rendering, Advanced Coordinate Systems and “Save as STL” to simulate, orient and preserve stock and fixtures. The result: programming that once took six hours now takes 30–60 minutes, the shop stopped outsourcing difficult jobs, routinely programs 2‑ to 7‑axis and multi‑task machines, increased throughput enough to start a partial night shift, and is training staff to scale the capability.

J&R Machine Works

Jesse Alvarado

Owner