Computerized Manufacturing and Machining

Total credits for program: 47-59

Total credits for program: 59

Machinists are highly skilled operators of machine tools that are used to make metal or non-metallic parts. Working from blueprints or sketches, a machinist will make or repair parts for a wide variety of tools or machines.

To increase student success, our program has chosen to stress the learning of functional tasks rather than to promote an environment where students choose their own projects. All of our laboratory exercises are designed to introduce students to a broad scope of tasks typically performed on conventional or CNC machines. Our technical advisory group annually reviews our curriculum. They guide our decisions to include new topics, delete out-of-date ones, and to continue those that are still viable.

Our conventional machining program stresses the set up and operation of lathes and vertical mills for a wide variety of processes. The classes provide instruction in blueprint reading, shop math, measurement and inspection, job planning, safety, and general machining theory. Our CNC program also emphasizes the set up, operation, and programming of vertical mills and lathes; to include aspects of wire and sinker EDM.

In manual programming courses, students learn proper formatting of CNC code, calculations related to determining coordinate data, proper use of programming techniques such as the use of sub programming, and experience cutting parts using their own programs on our CNC machines. In computer assisted programming classes students learn how to use software such as Mastercam to generate machine code for CNC mills and lathes. All classes are structured with time allocated for lecture/demonstrations and hands-on laboratory time.