CNC Technician Technical Diploma

Employment Potential

A graduate of the program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Technician/ Programmer Operator: sets up and operates computer numerical controlled machine tools working from blueprints and set-up sheets; sets up fixturing and tooling; produces and inspects parts; and edits CNC programs on CNC lathes and machining centers.
• Jig and Fixture Apprentice/Trainee: lays out, fits, and assembles parts to make and repair cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, or machinist’s hand tools by analyzing specifications.
• Machinist Apprentice/Trainee: sets up and operates a variety of machine tools; and fits and assembles parts to fabricate or repair machine tools and to maintain industrial machines.
• Manufacturing Engineering Technician: supports production in a CNC machining environment.

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.

• Journey Level Machinist
• Pattern Maker
• Mold Maker
• Tool and Die Maker
• CNC Programmer
• Machine Shop Foreperson/Supervisor

Requirements for Program Entry

• Apply at www.nwtc.edu/apply.
• Submit the following to transcripts@nwtc.edu: High school transcript (or GED/HSED transcript) College transcript
• If your cumulative GPA is below 2.6, complete or submit a placement evaluation.
• Tip! Our admission advisors will assist you through every step. Have questions? Connect with NWTC Admissions at start@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.

Curriculum

Curriculum: Students following the study plan will complete the CNC Technician technical diploma in the number of semesters shown.

First Semester

10-804-301

Vocational Math A

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-804-301 VOCATIONAL MATH A ...This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills to apply the concepts of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, measurement, proportions, and percent to their career. No prerequisites needed.

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/Spring

View Course Outcomes

31-420-341

Machine Tool/CNC Set-Ups

2

31-420-341 MACHINE TOOL/CNC SET-UPS ...CNC mill and lathe-tool holder selection, loading and unloading tools, work holding, setting part zero, fixture offsets, setting length and dial offsets, boring bars, and bar feeding. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the CNC Machinist or CNC Technician program; Corequisites: 10-804-301, Vocational Math A; 31-420-363, CNC Milling and G-Code; 31-420-366, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 1)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

31-421-352

Blueprint Rdg/Sket-Mach 1

2

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

31-421-352 BLUEPRINT READING/SKETCHING-MACHINE 1 ...fundamentals of sketching, orthographic projection, auxiliary views, sectional views, dimensioning, precision and non-precision measurement, and general print reading.

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

31-420-366

CNC/Machining Fundamentals 1

4

31-420-366 CNC/MACHINING FUNDAMENTALS 1 ...learners will be introduced to and demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. Learners will be introduced to operations and production of parts on band saws, drill presses, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical and knee mills and layout tables. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the CNC Machinist or CNC Technician program; Corequisites: 10-804-301, Vocational Math A; 31-420-341, Machine Tool/CNC Setups; 31-421-352, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Machine 1)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

10-890-101

College 101

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-890-101 COLLEGE 101 ...Students will utilize digital tools and resources to assess, explore, practice, apply, and evaluate both employability and learning skills. By establishing NWTC cultural values as hallmarks of success in academic, career, and personal settings the course encourages reflective, personalized development of a growth mindset and emphasizes the importance of making wise choices. To maximize the return on investment, students should take this course in their first semester as it identifies key expectations (hidden rules) of higher learning and professional employment.

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/Spring

View Course Outcomes

10-420-100

CNC Interface Methods

1

10-420-100 CNC INTERFACE METHODS ...this course provides the learner the opportunity to develop and learn the computer interface skills needed to operate and program CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, through the machines' HMI (Human Machine Interface) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) system.

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

31-420-363

CNC Milling and G-Code

2

31-420-363 CNC MILLING AND G-CODE ...shop safety around CNC milling machines, CNC basics, Cartesian coordinate systems, CNC milling controls and preparing basic G-Code milling programs. (Prerequisite: Accepted into CNC Machinist or CNC Technician; Corequisites: 10-804-301, Vocational Math A; 10-420-100 CNC Interface Methods)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

31-420-367

CNC/Machining Fundamentals 2

4

31-420-367 CNC/MACHINING FUNDAMENTALS 2 ...learners will demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. Learners will be introduced to basic operations and production of machined parts on CNC mills and CNC lathes, precision grinders, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical mills and knee mills with various types of tooling. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the CNC Machinist or CNC Technician program; Corequisites: 31-420-366 CNC/Machining Fundamentals 1; 10-420-100, CNC Interface Methods, 31-420-363, CNC Milling and G-Code)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

Semester Total

17

Second Semester

31-420-364

G-Code and CAM

2

31-420-364 G-CODE AND CAM …learn basic programming with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, along with G-and M-code programming of computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling and turning machines. (Prerequisite: Accepted into CNC Machinist or CNC Technician; 10-420-100 CNC Interface Methods; 31-420-363 CNC Milling and G-Code)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

View Course Outcomes

10-804-302

Vocational Math B

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-804-302 VOCATIONAL MATH B ...This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills to apply the concepts of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry to their career. (Pre-requisite: Completion of 10-804-301 Vocational Math A with a "C" or better)

Course Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

View Course Outcomes

31-420-368

CNC/Machining Fundamentals 3

4

31-420-368 CNC/MACHINING FUNDAMENTALS 3 ...learners will demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. Learners will develop intermediate level knowledge and produce more complex parts on CNC mills, lathes and machining centers, precision grinders, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical mills and knee mills and heat treat ovens. (Prerequisites: 31-420-367, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 2; Corequisites: 31-420-364, G-Code and CAM)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

View Course Outcomes

31-421-362

Blueprint Rdg/Sket-Mach 2

2

31-421-362 BLUEPRINT READING/SKETCHING-MACHINE TRADES 2 ...blueprint reading, tolerancing, fits (inch & metric), basic welding symbols, casting, and basic GD&T (geometric tolerancing and dimensioning). (Prerequisite: 31-421-352, Blueprint Reading Sketching-Machine Trades I)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

31-420-369

CNC/Machining Fundamentals 4

4

31-420-369 CNC/MACHINING FUNDAMENTALS 4 ...learners will demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. Learners will develop deeper knowledge of complex setups and measuring operations on CNC mills, lathes and machining centers, precision grinders, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical mills and knee mills and heat treat ovens. (Corequisites: 31-420-368, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 3; 31-421-362, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 2; 31-420-365, Intro to CNC Turning)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

View Course Outcomes

31-420-365

Intro to CNC Turning

1

31-420-365 INTRO TO CNC TURNING ...this course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding of shop safety around CNC turning centers, CNC turning machine control use, preparing basic G-Code lathe programs, basic set up, and operation of CNC turning centers. (Prerequisite: 31-420-341, Machine Tool/CNC Set-Ups; Corequisite: 31-420-368, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 4)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

View Course Outcomes

31-422-359

Metallurgy and Cutting Tools

1

31-422-359 METALLURGY AND CUTTING TOOLS ...this course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding of the manufacture of iron and steel, metals identification, and applied heat-treating processes, as well as cutting tool materials, tool geometry, and selection of proper speed and feed.

View Course Outcomes

Semester Total

15

Third Semester

32-420-326

EDM and Waterjet Machining

1

32-420-326 EDM AND WATERJET MACHINING ...learners will demonstrate and practice wire electrical discharge machining (EDM), RAM EDM, high speed EDM drilling, abrasive waterjet, and plasma cutting technologies. (Corequisite: 32-420-323 CAM Programming)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

32-420-336

CNC Machining Center Oper

3

32-420-336 CNC MACHINING CENTER OPERATION ...equipment overview, production planning, machine start-up, control panel operations, CNC control tools, operational codes and functions, operation modes and CNC code generation. (Prerequisite: 31-420-369, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 4)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

32-420-335

CNC Turning Operation

3

32-420-335 CNC TURNING OPERATION ...equipment overview, production planning, machine start-up, control panel operations, CNC control tools, operational codes and functions, operation modes and CNC code generation. (Prerequisite: 31-420-369 CNC/Machining Fundamentals 4)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

32-420-327

3D CAM Programming

1

32-420-327 3D CAM PROGRAMMING …learners will create 3D surface models, CNC programs for 3D surfaces, CNC production planning, computer-assisted CNC programming. (Corequisite: 31-420-323, CAM Programming)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

32-420-308

Inspection & Quality Control

1

32-420-308 INSPECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL TECHNIQUES ...ISO 9000 concepts, Statistical Process Control (SPC) theory and applications, coordinate measuring machine setup and applications, surface texture measurement concepts, and applications for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), optical comparator and high amplification techniques. (Prerequisite: 31-420-362, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 2)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

32-420-324

CNC Machining Center Oper-Adv

2

32-420-324 CNC MACHINING CENTER OPERATION-ADVANCED ...CNC production planning, advanced 2-D mill G-code programming, 3-D surface G-code programming for CNC milling, sub-programming for CNC milling, optimizing speeds and feeds for modern cutting tools used in CNC milling, advanced part setup techniques for CNC milling, utilization of part and tool probes for CNC milling. (Corequisite: 32-420-336, CNC Machine Center Operations)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

32-420-325

CNC Turning Operation-Adv

2

32-420-325 CNC TURNING OPERATION-ADVANCED ...CNC production planning, advanced G-code programming of canned cycles for CNC turning, sub-programming for CNC turning, optimizing speeds and feeds for modern cutting tools used in CNC turning, advanced part setup techniques for CNC turning, utilization of tool probes for CNC turning. (Corequisite: 32-420-335, CNC Turning Operations)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

32-420-322

CNC Programming Tech-Adv

1

32-420-322 CNC PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES-ADV ...this course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the skills, knowledge, process and understanding of parametric programming (macros), advanced tooling, sub programming, and productivity optimization. (Corequisites: 32-420-335, CNC Turning Operation; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

32-420-323

CAM Programming

1

32-420-323 CAM PROGRAMMING ...learners will create three dimensional drawings for CNC milling toolpaths from using Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software, create solid models for CNC Mill and CNC Lathe programming, create CNC programs for EDM and Waterjet. (Prerequisite: 31-420-364, G-Code & CAM)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

View Course Outcomes

Semester Total

15

Fourth Semester

32-420-319

Multi-Axis Milling

2

32-420-319 MULTI-AXIS MILLING ...the course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of 3D surface machining, as well as 4 and 5-axis indexing and milling processes. (Prerequisites: 32-420-335, CNC Turning Operation; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center; Corequisite: 32-420-328, Multi-Axis CAM Programming)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

32-420-320

Multi-Axis CNC Turning

1

32-420-320 MULTI-AXIS CNC TURNING ...the course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of lathe live tooling, C-Axis programming, and bar feeder programming and operation. (Prerequisites: 32-420-335, CNC Turning Operation; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center; Corequisite: 32-420-328, Multi-Axis CAM Programming)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

32-420-328

Multi-Axis CAM Programming

2

32-420-328 MULTI-AXIS CAM PROGRAMMING ...CNC process modeling, 4th axis indexing, advanced CNC lathe programming, 4th axis CNC wire EDM programming, and CNC fabrication punch/burner programming applications. (Prerequisites: 32-420-327, 3D CAM Programming)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

View Course Outcomes

32-420-318

Fixture & Tool Making

2

32-420-318 FIXTURE & TOOL MAKING ...the learner will use various types of work holding and locating methods, produce a tool or fixture to be used in a typical manufacturing process. (Prerequisites: 31-420-369, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 4; 32-420-327, 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-326, EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center)

Course Typically Offered: Contact an Advisor

View Course Outcomes

32-420-331

Stamping Die Construction

4

32-420-331 STAMPING DIE CONSTRUCTION ...the learner will become acquainted with the skills, knowledge and processes required to manufacture punch and die assemblies for a basic stamping die for short run production of piece parts. (Prerequisites: 31-420-366, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 4; 32-420-327, 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-326, EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-324, CNC Machining Center Oper-Adv)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

View Course Outcomes

32-420-329

Mold Die Construction

4

32-420-329 MOLD DIE CONSTRUCTION ...this course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of interpreting mold die prints, types of mold dies, mold plates, ejector pins, sprues, slides, cavities and cores, runners, gates, leader pins/bushings, selecting material to be molded and the functional design of a mold die. They will also understand the process of selecting the proper materials for mold plates and components. Will fit, assemble, trouble shoot, diagnose and run mold dies on a plastic injection molding machine. (Prerequisite: 31-420-366, CNC/Machining Fundamentals 4; 32-420-327, 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-326, EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-324, CNC Machining Center Oper-Adv)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

View Course Outcomes

Semester Total

15

Total Credits

62

Curriculum Note: Students must earn a "C" or better in 10-804-301, Vocational Math A to enroll in 10-804-302, Vocational Math B.

Program Outcomes

• Apply basic safety practices in the machine shop.
• Interpret industrial/engineering drawings.
• Apply precision measuring methods to part inspection.
• Perform basic machine tool equipment set-up and operation.
• Perform programming, set-up and operation of CNC machine tools.
• Perform advanced CNC machining operations.

Study Abroad Opportunities

The International Programs staff continually seeks opportunities for students to travel abroad for educational experiences that may be offered in association with program courses. To find out more about which of your program courses may offer an opportunity during this academic year, contact your academic advisor or visit NWTC.edu/studyabroad.

Defy expectations and follow your passion

Dream jobs have nothing to do with gender. Discover the benefits of nontraditional occupations.