Machine Tool Operation Technical Diploma

Employment Potential

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

• CNC 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 lathes and machine centers.
• Machine Set-Up Operator: sets up and operates a variety of machine tools such as radial drill presses, lathes, milling machines, and grinders; machines metal work pieces, tool, or die parts; analyzes specifications; and determines tooling.
• Machine Tool Operator: shapes metal to precise dimensions by using machine tools and operates machines such as lathes, milling machines, drill presses, and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine equipment.
• Machinist: analyzes specifications; lays out metal stock; sets up and operates machine tools; and operates a variety of machine tools such as radial drill presses, lathes, milling machines, and grinders to machine a variety of metal work pieces.
• Maintenance Machinist: 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.

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

• All-Around Machinist
• Journeylevel Machinist
• Pattern Maker
• Set-Up Machinist
• Shop Supervisor
• Tool and Die Maker

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.

Curriculum

Curriculum: Students following the study plan below will complete the CNC Machinist 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

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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

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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

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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

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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/J-Session/Spring

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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: Summer/Fall/Spring

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Semester Total

15

Total Credits

32

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 or better.

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.

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.