CNC Machining Technology

The course begins with students learning to operate safely in a machining environment and when operating machining equipment. They learn about hand tools, saw types, saw blades, installation and removal, and welding. This course primarily focuses on the proper care and use of semi-precision measuring equipment. The machining industry requires daily use of mathematics. In this course, students learn to demonstrate proficiency using fractions. Students use mathematics, precision measuring equipment and proper workpiece layout for manual machining. Students are introduced to the use of hand tools on a drill press. The course concludes with the Continuous Improvement components of employee training, inventory accuracy and 5S.

In this course, students will learn about ferrous and nonferrous material compositions, and heat-treatment methods. Students will also learn about various material hardness-testing methods and measurement scales. The machining industry requires daily use of mathematics. Students will demonstrate proficiency in algebraic calculations, as well as calculating ratios and proportions. Additionally, students will also learn about the use of precision measuring equipment and how to maintain machines in a machine shop by learning why and when to perform periodic maintenance.

Students begin reading blueprints to learn about their layout and the information presented. By understanding the parts and their corresponding prints, students will learn to understand inter-related feature relationships. Students will learn to use a manual lathe after having learned proper work and toolholding techniques. Students are also introduced to the manual mill in this course. Topics covered include mill-specific cutting tools, and toolholding and workholding devices. Students will use mathematics, precision measuring equipment and proper workpiece layout for manual machining.

Topics covered in this course include manual lathe operations and vertical milling setup. Students are taught the skills necessary to ensure proper and accurate use of the manual lathe and milling machine to create various part features. The course concludes with a conversation about offhand grinding equipment, as well as information relating to grinding wheels. Students safely deburr parts and sharpen cutting tools.

Students develop an understanding of manual lathe threading and taper turning in this course. They also are taught the skills necessary to ensure proper and accurate use of the manual milling machine to create various part features. The course concludes with a conversation on indexing head operations.

This course covers advanced manual milling operations. Students are taught the skills necessary to ensure proper and accurate use of the manual milling machine to create various part features. Special emphasis is placed on angular milling and complex milling operations. This course includes geometry and trigonometry concepts required to accurately perform these operations.

This course covers the aspects of Computer Numerical Control that apply to both turning and milling operations. Subjects such as automatic tool changers, the machine control unit, motion control, coordinate systems and positioning systems are covered in detail. Students are taught programming concepts such as word addresses, G and M codes, and tool movement commands. The course concludes with exposure to the structural parts of a CNC program as well as an introduction to conversational programming. Students learn about CNC turning machines, and work and toolholding devices, as well as cutting tools used in CNC turning. Included in this course are in-depth conversations regarding the Continuous Improvement component of quality assurance vs. quality control.

Students learn about CNC turning machines, and toolholding and workholding devices, as well as cutting tools used in CNC turning. Programming for CNC turning applications is the primary focus of the class. Students begin writing their own programs utilizing content learned in this class. Some of the many subjects covered in this class include tool changes, sequence numbering, program stops, coolant codes and canned cycles, as well as various turning operations. The Continuous Improvement component of buy vs. make analysis concludes the course.

The course focuses on the setup and operation of CNC turning centers. Students learn to utilize control panel buttons, keys, dials and knobs to control the lathe, as well as to load, display, edit and run programs. They learn to set up workholding devices and account for coordinate system differences, tool geometry and wear offsets, as well as enter and prove out programs. At the conclusion of the course, students run programs at full feed, speed and rapid capabilities through use of auto mode. They also learn about the Continuous Improvement components of just in time and Six Sigma™.

The course begins with an introduction to the various types of milling machines and toolholding types used in milling machines. The course’s primary focus is on programming for CNC mills. Students begin writing their own milling programs utilizing content learned in this class. They are required to complete a lab exercise in material resource planning (MRP), which is part of Continuous Improvement.

The course focuses on the setup and operation of CNC milling machines. Students learn to utilize the control panel buttons, keys, dials and knobs to control the mill as well as to load, display, edit and run programs. They learn to set up workholding devices and account for coordinate system differences, tool geometry and wear offsets, as well as enter and prove out programs. At the conclusion of the course, students run programs at full feed, speed, and rapid capabilities through use of auto mode. The course concludes with students completing the Continuous Improvement component of a capacity resource planning lab exercise.

Through CAD software, students are taught the different geometry types such as wireframes, solid models and surfaces. Different software types are discussed to aid students in the understanding of CAD/CAM. Through use of CAM software, students learn about toolpaths such as 2D contour milling, face milling, holemaking, pocketing, contour turning and 3D milling. Verification and simulation functions are used to ensure the tool(s) behave as expected and all machining details have been defined. Students are taught the process of post-processing, a process of permitting the CAM software to write the CNC program. The course concludes with the Continuous Improvement summarization of change management.