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Academics & Training / Programs & Degrees / Fields of Interest / Manufacturing / CNC Technician

CNC Technician Technical Diploma

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Program Code: 324441

As a computer numerical control technician/programmer operator, you play an important role in today's modern manufacturing environments. You set up and operate computer numerical controlled machine tools, working from blueprints and set-up sheets. You set up fixturing and tooling, produce and inspect parts, and edit CNC programs on CNC lathes and machining centers. As a graduate of the CNC Technician program, you're also prepared for a career as a jig and fixture apprentice/trainee, or a manufacturing engineering technician. With additional education and/or work experience, you may become a journey level machinist, pattern maker, mold maker, tool and die maker, CNC programmer, or machine shop foreperson/supervisor.

Follow Your Path

All credits from the following technical diploma apply toward this program:
• CNC Machinist, 314201

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Program Costs & Financial Aid

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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

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Requirements for Program Entry

• Completed application.
• High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
• Students should have mastered basic math skills (whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents and measurements).
• To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher OR a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more. To learn more about starting this program, please contact an academic advisor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

Program Availability

FULL TIME Spring 2019 Summer 2019 Fall 2019
Green Bay
Unavailable
Unavailable
Accepting
Marinette
Unavailable
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Accepting
Sturgeon Bay
Unavailable
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Unavailable

Application Checklist

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Curriculum
Students following the study plan will complete the CNC Technician technical diploma in the number of semesters shown.
FIRST SEMESTER
Credit for Prior LearningCredit 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.
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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.
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-804-104 MATH 2-TRADES ...provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge skills process and understanding of solving equations, ratio, proportion, percentages, practical plane geometry, solid figures, trigonometry, and statistics. (Prerequisite: A placement value of 4200; OR Accuplacer Arithmetic score greater/equal to 65 AND Reading score greater/equal to 50; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Reading score greater/equal to 15; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)
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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: 10-804-104, Math 2-Trades; 10-420-100 CNC Interface Methods)
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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: 10-804-104, Math 2-Trades; 31-420-363, CNC Milling and G-Code; 31-420-342 Intro to Machine Tools)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit 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.
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
31-420-342 INTRO TO MACHINE TOOLS/CNC ...learners will be introduced to and demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. They will be introduced to the operation of vertical band saws, drill presses, precision grinders, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical mills, conventional knee mills and layout tables. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the CNC Machinist or CNC Technician program; Corequisites: 10-804-104, Math 2-Trades; 31-421-352, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Machine 1)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
31-420-344 INTRO TO MACHINE TOOL/CNC APPLICATION ...learners will apply their knowledge from Machine Tool-Intro to produce machined parts on machine tools such as: vertical band saws, drill presses, pedestal grinders, precision grinders, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical mills, conventional knee mills, heat treat ovens and layout tables. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the CNC Machinist or CNC Technician program; Corequisites: 10-804-104 Math 2-Trades; 31-421-352 Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 1; 31-420-342 Intro to Machine Tools)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
31-420-353 BASIC MACHINE TOOLS/CNC ...learners will demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. Learners will be introduced to the basic operation of CNC mills and CNC lathes. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the CNC Machinist or CNC Technician program; Corequisites: 10-804-104, Math 2-Trades; 31-421-352, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 1; 31-420-344, Intro to Machine Tool Applications; 31-420-363, CNC Milling and G-Code)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
31-420-354 BASIC MACHINE TOOL/CNC APPLICATION ...learners will apply their knowledge from Intro to Machine Tool Applications and Basic Machine Tools to produce machined parts on CNC mills and lathes, precision grinders, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical mills and knee mills with various types of carbide tooling. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the CNC Machinist or CNC Technician program; Corequisites: 10-804-104, Math 2-Trades; 31-421-352, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 1; 31-420-353, Basic Machine Tools; 31-420-363, CNC Milling and G-Code)
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SEMESTER TOTAL
18
SECOND SEMESTER
31-420-364 G-CODE AND CAM ...create G-code programs for milling machines using a personal computer to create geometry and programs using CAD CAM systems for CNC milling machines, basic programming on computer aided manufacturing (CAM) systems, fundamental programming of computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling machines. (Prerequisite: Accepted into CNC Machinist or CNC Technician; 10-420-100 CNC Interface Methods; 31-420-363 CNC Milling and G-Code)
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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)
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31-420-355 INTERMEDIATE MACHINE TOOLS/CNC ...learners will demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. They will develop intermediate level knowledge of CNC mills, lathes and machining centers, precision grinders, conventional lathes and horizontal mills, conventional vertical mills and knee mills and heat treat ovens. (Prerequisites: 31-420-354, Basic Machine Tool Applications; 31-420-363, CNC Milling and G-Code; Corequisites: 31-421-362, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 2; 31-420-364, G-Code and CAM)
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31-420-359 INTERMEDIATE MACHINE TOOL/CNC APPLICATION ...learners will practice and develop intermediate skills to 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: 31-420-363, CNC Milling and G-Code; Corequisites: 31-421-362, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 2; 31-420-355, Intermediate Machine Tools; 31-420-364, G-Code and CAM)
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31-420-361 INTEGRATING MACHINE TOOLS/CNC ...learners will demonstrate the practice of machine shop safety rules and policies. They will develop more 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: 31-421-362, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 2; 31-420-359, Intermediate Machine Tool Applications; 31-420-364, G-Code and CAM)
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31-420-362 INTEGRATING MACHINE TOOL APPLICATIONS ...learners will practice and develop the skills to integrate more complex setups and measuring operations to produce 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. (Corequisites: 31-421-362, Blueprint Reading/Sket-Mach 2; 31-420-359, Intermediate Machine Tool Applications; 31-420-364, G-Code and CAM)
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31-422-359 METALLURGY FOR MACHINIST ...manufacture of iron and steel, basic composition of metals, metal identification, applied heat treating processes.
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SEMESTER TOTAL
13
THIRD SEMESTER
32-420-307 EDM & WATERJET MACHINING ...electrical discharge machining (EDM), high speed machining concepts, rapid setup and quick change over procedures, abrasive waterjet, abrasive flow, chemical machining, laser and plasma, palletizing systems. (Corequisite: 32-420-365, 3D CAM Programming)
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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: 31-420-361, Integrating Machine Tools)
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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: 31-420-361 Integrating Machine Tools)
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32-420-365 3D CAM PROGRAMMING ...basic AutoCAD, CNC production planning, advanced 2D programming, 3D surface programming, computer-assisted CNC programming. (Prerequisite: 31-420-364, G-Code & CAM)
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32-420-308 QUALITY CONTROL APPLICATIONS ...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)
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32-420-315 PUNCH ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION ...the learner will become acquainted with the skills, knowledge and processes required to design a stamped part, stock strip and manufacture a punch assembly for a basic stamping die. (Prerequisites: 31-420-361, Integrating Machine Tools; Corequisites: 32-420-365, 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-307 EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center)
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32-420-316 DIE ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION ...the learner will become acquainted with the skills, knowledge and processes required to manufacture a die assembly for a basic stamping die, along with die assembly and short run production of piece parts. (Prerequisite: 31-420-361, Integrating Machine Tools; Corequisites: 32-420-365 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-307, EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center)
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SEMESTER TOTAL
15
FOURTH SEMESTER
32-420-366 FIXTURE AND TOOLING DESIGN ...interpreting tool and fixturing prints, designing a tool or fixture to be used in a typical manufacturing process. (Corequisites: 32-420-317 Fixture & Tool Making; 32-420-318 Fixture & Tool Making Applied)
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32-420-317 INTRO TO FIXTURE & TOOL MAKING ...the learner will perform various machining and heat-treating processes necessary to produce components used to build a tool or fixture to be used in a typical manufacturing process. (Prerequisites: 31-420-361, Integrating Machine Tools; 32-420-307, EDM & Waterjet Machining; Corequisites: 32-420-365 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center)
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32-420-313 INTRO TO MOLD DIE ...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, identify 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. (Prerequisite: 31-420-361, Integrating Machine Tools; 32-420-365, 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-307, EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center)
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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: 32-420-367, Multi-Axis CAM Programming)
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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: 32-420-367, Multi-Axis CAM Programming)
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32-420-367 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: 32-420-365, 3D CAM Programming)
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32-420-318 FIXTURE & TOOL MAKING-APPLIED ...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: 31-420-361, Integrating Machine Tools; 32-420-365 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-307, EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center)
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32-420-313 MOLD DIE CONSTRUCTION ...this course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge skills process and understanding of squaring plates, milling/boring/turning mold components, 3-dimensional machining operations, grinding/polishing operations, heat treating, fitting ejector systems, heating/cooling systems, applying fasteners, engraving/stamping, apply Ram EDM. Also to fit, assemble, trouble shoot, diagnose and run mold dies on a plastic injection molding machine. (Prerequisites: 32-420-365, 3D CAM Programming; 32-420-307, EDM & Waterjet Machining; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center; Corequisite: 32-420-313, Intro to Mold Die)
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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. (Prerequisites: 32-420-335, CNC Turning Operation; 32-420-336, CNC Machining Center; Corequisite: 32-420-367, Multi-Axis CAM Programming)
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SEMESTER TOTAL
14
TOTAL CREDITS
60
Curriculum Note
. The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program requirements, but must be passed with a C.

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.

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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.

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Average Starting Salary:

$41,063.00

FT Median Annual Wage - Learn more »

Graduate Employment

With 96% Employed in Field

Job Openings:

94

Learn more »

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Training On the Go!

The CIM mobile lab travels throughout the Midwest, bringing Computer Integrated manufacturing instruction to high schools, job centers and more!

View the CNC Lab

See a 360 degree view of the NWTC Machine Tool and CNC Lab where CNC technicians are trained.

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