Mga spotlight
CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist), Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person, Machinist, Maintenance Machinist, Manual Lathe Machinist, Production Machinist, Tool Room Machinist
Modern society is in love with products, both large and small. From cars to computers, we can’t live without our manufactured goods. And without CNC Machinists and Operators, many (if not most) of the products we use and often rely on wouldn’t exist. These skilled tradespeople use a variety of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines and equipment to produce a wide range of precision metal parts.
Machinists and Operators have similar duties, but Machinists have more experience and may supervise Operators. They input instructions into the CNC machine they’re working with to ensure the parts are cut and crafted as needed. They may produce one specific part over and over, or have a set of parts they need to make batches of each day. In some cases, their job is to repair or replace a broken part.
CNC machines can be very dangerous to work with, which is why CNC Machinists and Operators must be highly trained in their proper usage. In addition to using these machines, Machinists and Operators may also utilize lasers and electrified wires as they work, adding even more risk into the equation! This makes it even more imperative to strictly follow safety protocols. It’s also why most employees in this trade learn their skills through a combination of academic courses and supervised apprenticeships.
- Making parts that are vital to the completion of much-needed products
- Contributing to the overall economy by providing a steady stream of parts used in almost all industries
- Plenty of independence, for those who don’t enjoy customer-facing jobs or roles with a lot of managerial oversight
Oras ng trabaho
CNC Machinists and Operators work full-time, with overtime necessary depending on goals and timeframes. Their duties are usually performed indoors in factories or shops, but work may require them to travel to various locations to do on-site repairs.
Mga Karaniwang Tungkulin
- Discuss final product needs and costs of producing them in the desired quantities
- Review reference files (blueprints, drawings, etc.) and written descriptions and specifications of desired parts and items to be made
- Create new work sketches
- Determine the order of sequence of the work process before starting
- Use measuring instruments to determine the dimensions of the final fabricated pieces
- I-verify ang tolerance ng mga materyales na gagawing makina
- Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs, as needed
- Set up, program, and operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools to make, or machine, precision parts
- Ensure program updates are compatible with CNC machines
- Adjust various components of CNC machines, such as cutting blades, holding fixtures, etc.
- Determine the type of blanks to use in creating a specified workpiece
- Mark metal stock where cuts will be made
- Magsuot ng kinakailangang personal na kagamitan sa proteksiyon at sundin ang mga itinatag na protocol sa kaligtasan
- Keep an eye on CNC machine feeds and speeds
- Lumikha ng mga bahagi gamit ang mga proseso tulad ng pagpihit, paggiling, pagbabarena, paghubog, at paggiling
- Screen items after cutting for defects and quality. Make adjustments to machinery, if necessary
- Diagnose machine errors and make minor repairs. Disassemble as needed
- Verify that completed products comply with requirements
- Remove waste material from workspaces and recycle or dispose of it properly
Karagdagang Pananagutan
- Manatiling up-to-date sa mga teknikal na manwal
- Train and mentor new CNC Machinists and Operators, technologists, and technicians
- Panatilihing malinis ang mga lugar ng trabaho at magsagawa ng regular na pagpapanatili sa mga makina
- Talakayin ang mga teknikal na isyu sa naaangkop na tauhan
- Offer advice during the project planning phase, if asked
Soft Skills
- Pagkaalerto
- Analitikal
- Maingat
- Nakatuon sa pagsunod
- Kritikal na pag-iisip
- Mabusisi pagdating sa detalye
- Disiplina
- pasensya
- Pagpaplano at organisasyon
- Mga kasanayan sa paglutas ng problema
- Mukhang makatarungan
- Stamina
- Pagtutulungan ng magkakasama
- Pamamahala ng oras
Teknikal na kasanayan
- Machinist programs such as Armchair Machinist and Machinists’ Calculator
- Mga programa sa disenyong tinutulungan ng computer tulad ng Autodesk AutoCAD , CATIA , PTC Creo Parametric , at SolidCAM
- Computer-aided manufacturing software tulad ng Autodesk Fusion 360 at CNC Mastercam
- Industrial control software tulad ng EditCNC o Mazak Mazatrol
- Mga programa sa pamamahala ng pamamaraan tulad ng Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
- Familiarity with tools and equipment such as micrometers, vernier calipers, lathes, milling machines, shapers, and grinders, drilling machines, cutting tools, lasers, and water jets
- Familiarity sa mga proseso tulad ng metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, at welding
- Familiarity sa hydraulic system, electrical wiring, lubricants, at baterya
- Familiarity with various types of metal and metal alloys, including steel, brass, aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, vanadium, and manganese
- Mga serbisyo sa pagtatrabaho
- Paggawa ng makinarya
- Machine shops
- Paggawa ng kagamitan sa transportasyon
CNC Machinists and Operators are relied on to mass-produce products that conform to very specific requirements. Thus their work must be meticulous, even under pressure to meet deadlines. They have to take into consideration multiple factors, including what metals to use and how best to cut or shape them. Factories can be loud and dangerous, requiring workers to wear protective gear, such as goggles and hearing protection.
They need to carefully follow safety procedures to avoid injury to themselves or others in the area. The day-to-day job requires plenty of stamina because workers are usually on their feet, often in a bent or leaning positions. The repetition of machining parts can get monotonous after a while, but workers have to keep their focus because of the inherent hazards of the job. There can be long periods of working alone, so Machinists sometimes need to look beyond their place of employment for socializing.
There are many CNC machine trends shaping the future of the industry. One is the development of machines capable of higher speeds, including faster spindle speeds, faster feed capacity, faster computing, and faster tool changing. These increases don’t diminish precision, because CNC machines are getting more accurate at the same time!
Along with these advancements, 3D printing is starting to share some of the workloads to make parts that CNC machines finish. Another change is the use of digital twins which “duplicate a CNC machine and its environment, including its setup on the shop floor, within the CAM software, providing accurate toolpath simulation” in order to “reduce or eliminate any surprises that may occur during the machining process.”
People who get into machine-related career fields usually enjoy working with their hands and feel comfortable using tools and stationary heavy equipment. They might have enjoyed math and computer programming courses in high school or liked doing projects in shop classes.
Machinists can collaborate with others but don’t mind being on their own for long periods. They might have been very independent growing up and may have always wanted a job where they have some freedom to do their work without a lot of interaction with others.
Kailangan ang Edukasyon
- CNC Machinists and Operators need at least a high school diploma or GED
- Many workers in this field pursue a certificate or associate’s degree at a community college or technical school where they brush up on their math skills and learn how to read blueprints, work with metal, use hand tools and CAD or CAM programs, and how to operate CNC machines
- Ang iba pang karaniwang mga kurso ay kinabibilangan ng:
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
- Multi-axis milling and turning
- Precision measurement
- Programming
- Kaligtasan sa tindahan
- Taking formal education classes prior to applying for jobs isn’t necessary, but can help make you more competitive during your job search
- Candidates with more qualifications may have better luck finding jobs where they can then learn remaining skills via On-the-Job training
- They might also land a sponsored supervised apprenticeship!
- Note, workers who are learning OJT or via apprenticeships may still be required to take classes outside of duty hours, to supplement what is being learned at work
- Optional certification programs can help Machinists and Operators qualify for advancement. Below are just a few of the certifications options out there:
- Association of Energy Engineers - Certified Measurement and Verification Professional
- International Council for Machinery Lubrication - Level I Machine Lubricant Analyst
- International Fluid Power Society - Fluid Power Engineer
- National Institute for Metalworking Skills -
- CAM Turning I
- CNC Lathe Operations
- CNC Lathe Programming Setup & Operations
- Machining Level I - CNC Milling: Operations
- Machining Level I - Drill Press I
- Machining Level I - Grinding I
- Machining Level I - Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout
- Machining Level I - Measurement, Materials and Safety Job
- Machining Level I - Milling
- Machining Level I - Turning I (Chucking Skills)
- Metalforming Level I
- Lipunan ng mga Tribologist at Lubrication Engineer -
- Certified Metalworking Fluids Specialist
- Oil Monitoring Analyst I
- Certified Oil Monitoring Analyst II
- There are also manufacturer and software-specific certs available!
- CNC Machinists and Operators don’t need to attend a four-year university, but decide if you want to complete a certificate or associate’s at a technical school or community college
- Isaalang-alang ang halaga ng matrikula, mga diskwento, at mga pagkakataon sa lokal na iskolarship (bilang karagdagan sa tulong na pederal)
- Think about your schedule and flexibility when deciding whether to enroll in an on-campus, online, or hybrid program. Many relevant courses may need to be done in-person to get hands-on experience
- Suriin ang mga istatistika ng paglalagay ng trabaho ng programa para sa mga nagtapos
- Check out Stecker Machine’s What is a CNC Operator? article for a great overview of the day-to-day
- Mag-sign up para sa maraming matematika (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, at trigonometry), physics, computer science, materials science, at mga klase sa shop sa high school
- Isaalang-alang ang pag-aaral tungkol sa mechanical drawing at blueprint reading sa pamamagitan ng self-study
- Kumuha ng mga ad hoc na klase online, mula sa Coursera , Udemy , o iba pang mga site
- Enroll in a community college or vocational/technical school program to learn CNC machining
- Makilahok sa isang fitness program na maaaring bumuo ng iyong lakas at tibay
- Get some real-world job experience via part-time jobs related to machining or shop work
- Suriin ang mga pag-post ng trabaho nang maaga upang makita kung ano ang mga karaniwang kinakailangan
- Request to do an informational interview with a working CNC Machinist or Operator to learn about their jobs
- Subaybayan ang mga contact na maaaring magsilbing mga sanggunian sa trabaho sa hinaharap
- Study books, articles, and video tutorials related to CNC machining tools, programs, and processes
- Makilahok sa mga online na forum upang magtanong at matuto mula sa mga batikang pro
- Makipag-ugnayan sa mga propesyonal na organisasyon upang matuto, magbahagi, makipagkaibigan, at mapalago ang iyong network (tingnan ang aming listahan ng Mga Mapagkukunan > Mga Website)
- Simulan ang paggawa ng resume nang maaga. Panatilihin ang pagdaragdag dito habang nagpapatuloy ka, para hindi ka makaligtaan ng anuman
- Tingnan ang mga portal ng trabaho gaya ng Indeed , Simply Hired , Glassdoor , at Craigslist
- Kumuha ng ilang praktikal na karanasan sa trabaho sa tindahan sa ilalim ng iyong sinturon bago mag-apply, kung maaari
- Maghanap ng mga apprenticeship na itinataguyod ng mga employer, unyon, o mga asosasyon sa kalakalan
- Ask working CNC Machinists and Operators for job-seeking tips
- Get a certificate or associate’s degree. It isn’t always needed to get started but may put you ahead of the competition
- According to O*Net, about 33% of Machinists have a post-secondary (after high school) certificate, and 17% have “some college, no degree.” The rest are working with just their high school diploma or GED
- Humingi ng tulong sa career center ng iyong paaralan sa pagkonekta sa mga recruiter at job fair
- Magtanong nang maaga sa mga potensyal na sanggunian upang makita kung irerekomenda ka nila o magsulat ng mga liham ng sanggunian
- Check out Machinist resume templates and review Machinist job interview questions
- At interviews, be honest and show a motivated attitude and eagerness to learn
- Expect to start out in entry-level CNC Operator roles then work your way up to CNC Machinist positions
- Pay close attention during OJT and any classes the employer sends you to
- Stay positive and motivated. Do solid work, follow procedures, and stay safe
- Demonstrate that you can be trusted to work independently. Set the example for others to follow
- Knock out relevant certifications to enhance your skills
- Ask your supervisor how you can improve your knowledge and skills to better serve the company
- Pag-aralan ang mga gabay ng tagagawa at software. Maging ang go-to na eksperto at gawin ang iyong sarili na napakahalaga
- Learn all you can from those with more experience (but also keep in mind to follow procedures as directed by your employer)
- Keep your cool under pressure, and treat everyone with respect
- Collaborate effectively on teams, stay focused, and demonstrate leadership
- Train new workers thoroughly. Their mistakes could reflect back on your training
- Manatiling nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga propesyonal na organisasyon at unyon, tulad ng International Association of Machinists at Aerospace Workers
Mga website
- American Mould Builders Association
- Asosasyon para sa Teknolohiya sa Paggawa
- Association of Energy Engineers
- Asosasyon ng mga Fabricator at Manufacturers, International
- International Association of Machinists at Aerospace Workers
- International Council for Machinery Lubrication
- International Fluid Power Society
- Institusyon ng Paggawa
- National Institute for Metalworking Skills
- National Tooling and Machining Association
- Precision Machined Products Association
- Precision Metalforming Association
- Lipunan ng mga Tribologist at Lubrication Engineer
Mga libro
- Workholding for Machinists, by Tim Stevens
- Machinists’ Ready Reference, by C. Weingartner and Jim Effner
- Math for Machinists , ni Mark W. Huth
Laboring in a shop or factory on CNC machines can be tiring, monotonous, or even lonely work. Many people enjoy it, but it’s not a job for everyone. If you’re interested in exploring similar occupations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests the following:
- Mga boilermaker
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, at Millwrights
- Metal at Plastic Machine Workers
- Mga Welder, Cutter, Solderer, at Brazer
In addition, O*Net features these careers:
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Tool and Die Makers