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CNC Mill Operator Training

Basic operation of a CNC mill and the ability to start, execute, and stop programs.

prerequisites: machining fundamentals
potential career paths: CNC machinist

Below is a list of the online classes and offline tasks included within the competency CNC Mill Operator.

CNC

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	History and Definition of CNC 100 This class outlines the origin of today's CNC machines and explains how modern CNC evolved from its original designs.	Identify CNC machines used within the shop and explain their basic function; identify the basic method used to transfer program information.
2.	Mechanics of CNC 110 This class describes the mechanical systems involved in CNC axis movement, as well as how feedback is used for tool location.	Identify the servos and power sources on each CNC machine used on the job.
3.	Basics of the CNC Machining Center 130 This class describes the basic components of the machining center as well as the devices used on this machine. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Assign tool numbers, and load and unload tooling in the mill's toolchanger according to company policy.
4.	CNC Coordinates 140 This class explains the arrangement and orientation of the basic axes on a common CNC lathe and both a vertical and horizontal CNC mill. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Home the machine and jog the turret or spindle along all machine axes.
5.	Part Program 150 This class introduces the major code groups used in a CNC part program. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Read through an active program and identify each tool change program block.
6.	CAD/CAM Overview 160 This class describes the general process of using computers to design and manufacture parts and identifies common features available in CAD/CAM software.	Investigate software used in part design within the company; demonstrate how to follow program revision and updates to use the correct program version and protect the company database.
7.	CNC Manual Operations 200 This class describes the control features that allow a CNC operator to execute tasks manually. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Use the machine controls to move machine components along each axis and execute a tool change.
8.	CNC Offsets 210 This class identifies the various offsets used on both the lathe and the mill to properly reference each cutting tool in relationship to the workpiece. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Set and adjust work offsets, tool offsets, and wear offsets for a new tool loaded into the machine according to company policy.

Inspection

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	Basic Measurement 110 This class introduces the basic measuring devices used in the shop to ensure part quality. Includes an Interactive Lab.	For a series of sample parts and prints, determine the most appropriate device to use for measuring a series of features.
2.	Overview of Threads 150 This class describes the various parts of a screw thread, common thread standards and tolerances, and the various tools used to inspect them.	Identify the type of thread on a sample part; select an appropriate gage for inspecting the thread.
3.	Intro to GD&T 200 This class introduces the fundamental concepts of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and describes the main types of tolerances included in the standard. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Read a GD&T print to determine all datum surfaces for a sample part.

Materials

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	Metal Classification 150 This class introduces the AISI-SAE classification for steels.	Produce a list of metals used in the shop and list their matching AISI-SAE classifications.
2.	Ferrous Metals and Alloys 210 This class identifies the major categories, properties, and uses of steels and their alloys.	Reference a sample ferrous material according to a standard chart to identify the alloys it contains.
3.	Nonferrous Metals and Alloys 220 This class identifies the major categories, properties, and uses of nonferrous metals and their alloys.	Reference a sample nonferrous material according to a standard chart to identify the alloys it contains.
4.	Heat Treatment of Steel 230 This class describes the different steel phases as well as common heat treatment methods for steel. Includes an Interactive Lab.	For a sample of workpieces, separate the workpieces based on visual inspection into two groups according to whether or not they were heat treated; validate the heat-treated group via hardness testing.

Metal Cutting

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	Cutting Variables 200 This class describes some of the variables that impact common machining operations. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Use machine controls to adjust the feed and speed as the machine produces a part.
2.	Cutting Fluids 210 This class identifies the major cutting fluids and their common uses.	Produce a list of cutting fluids used in the shop with their matching MSDS documentation.
3.	Cutting Tool Materials 220 This class describes common cutting tool materials and their common applications.	For each cutting tool material used in the shop, detect an insert that is excessively worn; for a new insert, consult a tooling manufacturer's catalog to determine workpiece materials that are appropriate for its use.
4.	Carbide Grade Selection 230 This class describes the common forms of carbide available in cutting tools.	Using a cutting insert manufacturer's catalog, choose the grade and type of cutting insert for a particular application on a sample part.
5.	Milling Geometry 245 This class identifies and explains the face mill and end mill tool angles that impact a milling operation. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Organize a set of mill tooling according to geometries suitable for roughing or for finishing different features on a sample part.
6.	Drill Geometry 247 This class identifies the major drill components and angles that impact drilling operations. Includes an Interactive Lab.	For a sample workpiece design and material, select a drill point and geometry that prevents drill walking and that produces a hole that meets specifications.
7.	ANSI Insert Selection 250 This class walks through the ANSI B212.4-1995 standard for insert identification.	Using a cutting insert manufacturer's catalog, choose an insert shape and design that can substitute an existing tool for a specific application.

Quality

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	Approaches to Maintenance 120 This class provides an introduction to the maintenance profession and describes various approaches to the practice of maintenance.	Obtain the operator-driven daily maintenance task list for each machine used in the work space; demonstrate each maintenance task.
2.	Total Productive Maintenance Overview 150 This class describes the elements of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and explains how TPM helps reduce losses and waste.	Assess over time the availability, performance rate, and quality rate of a bottleneck machine in an identified work cell. calculate the overall equipment effectiveness for the machine.
3.	SPC Overview 210 This class describes the main concepts of statistical process control and explains how to recognize processes that are affected by special causes. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Show and interpret an X-bar chart being used at a specific work station.

Safety

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	Machine Guarding 140 This class covers basic machine guarding practices and devices and includes information on hazardous machine components, motions, and actions.	Identify machine guards on each machine used in the work space and indicate whether or not they are removable during normal operation.
2.	Hand and Power Tool Safety 145 This class covers general safety guidelines for using hand and power tools as regulated by OSHA.	Select the proper PPE for each powered tool used in the work space; demonstrate the safe and proper use of each powered tool.

Shop Essentials

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	Shop Algebra Overview 200 This class explains basic principles of algebra and demonstrates how to solve equations containing multiple operations.	For a series of equations used in a program, solve the equation for a variable by following the correct order of operations.
2.	Shop Algebra Overview 200 This class explains basic principles of algebra and demonstrates how to solve equations containing multiple operations.	For a series of equations used in a program, solve the equation for a variable by following the correct order of operations.
3.	Shop Trig Overview 210 This class presents a general overview and refresher for the rules of trigonometry.	For a series of sample right triangles, use trig ratios to find the missing side and/or angle.
4.	Shop Trig Overview 210 This class presents a general overview and refresher for the rules of trigonometry.	For a series of sample right triangles, use trig ratios to find the missing side and/or angle.

Workholding

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	Class	Offline Task
1.	Intro to Workholding 104 This class introduces the role of a workholding device during the manufacturing process and identifies common groups of these devices.	Collect the various workholding devices used on the job and demonstrate their proper setup and use.
2.	Supporting and Locating Principles 106 This class describes the fundamental theory to properly supporting, locating, and clamping a workpiece. Includes an Interactive Lab.	Identify the primary, secondary, and tertiary surfaces on a part; demonstrate how to load a part in the current setup so that the primary, secondary, and tertiary surfaces contact the fixture properly.
3.	Locating Devices 107 This class identifies the most common types of locating components used in custom workholding devices and fixtures.	Identify the locating features of a specific workholding setup and assess the quality of those features.
4.	Clamping Basics 108 This class covers the most common types of clamping components and explains their relative advantages and applications.	Show the proper use of a toe clamp and a strap clamp and contrast their use to alternative clamping methods.
5.	Chucks, Collets, and Vises 110 This class identifies the standard workholding devices used for both the mill and the lathe.	Demonstrate how to setup and install a chuck, collet, or vise on an appropriate machine, depending on job responsibilities.