Mom to Machinist | Ep. 1: The First Step into CNC Machining
- AMP Team
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
"Every journey begins with a single step." And for Alrieké van Staden, a dedicated mother and experienced design engineer, that first step was diving into the world of CNC machining.
At AMP CAD CAM Solutions, we’re excited to launch our brand-new video series, Mom to Machinist, which follows Alrieke’s hands-on journey from CAD design to the shop floor. As someone who has long worked in mechanical design, Alrieke is now bridging the gap between engineering and manufacturing, gaining the practical skills needed to bring digital models to life through machining.
🎥 In Episode 1:
Alrieke begins her transformation by revisiting the SOLIDWORKS fundamentals, setting the foundation for her upcoming work on CNC machines. In this first episode, she dives into CAD design, laying the groundwork for what’s to come, including programming and hands-on machining.
She'll be using a powerful combination of industry-standard tools throughout her journey, including:
✅ The TITANS of CNC MACHINING platform
✅ SOLIDWORKS CAM
Together, these platforms provide an in-depth learning experience that bridges the digital-to-physical gap in manufacturing.
This episode explores:
✔ Introduction to CAD with SOLIDWORKS
✔ Building the Titan Building Blocks Mill in 3D
✔ Reflections on starting something new and balancing family life with professional growth
“I think anybody who’s just starting off with SOLIDWORKS will be able to go through this. As the fundamentals of becoming a machinist, knowing how to design properly is extremely important.” – Alrieke
Why This Series Matters
Women remain underrepresented in the manufacturing industry, especially in hands-on technical roles. Through Mom to Machinist, we aim to inspire more women to explore careers in CNC machining, design engineering, and manufacturing. Alrieke’s story reflects not only a personal growth journey but also the broader potential for upskilling, learning across departments, and creating meaningful career transitions.
This isn’t just about learning to machine—it's about becoming a well-rounded engineer who understands both the digital and physical aspects of manufacturing.
Watch Episode 1 now 🎬
👀 Follow the Series
Each month, we'll document Alrieke's progress, from programming and setting up CNC machines to tackling real-world projects on the shop floor. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and follow us here on LinkedIn to stay up to date.
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