CNC Machine Operators require skills in operating a CNC machine but are not machinists. Through industry task analysis and strong involvement with our development partner, a large global manufacturer, Amatrol’s CNC Machine Operator Program brings a highly focused, streamlined set of skills to CNC Machine Operator training. Many training programs for CNC Machine Operators use training designed for machinists, which incorporates theory not relevant to the role of CNC Machine Operator. For example, a CNC machine operator needs to know how to run a CNC program – not how to design one.
Amatrol’s CNC Machine Operator Program focuses exclusively on the modern CNC machine operator, including maintaining machines and recording SPC (Statistical Process Control) data. It covers all the skills operators need, from operating the CNC machine to setting up tooling and fixtures to quality inspection.
For employers such as Amatrol’s development partner, a large global manufacturer, job-ready skills are critical. Our CNC Machine Operator Program is the real deal – students can develop and practice the skills required to operate a CNC machine via the computer effectively. They learn by doing and the virtual machine acts like a real machine. If you forget to turn the power on, you have to figure out the problem – the same as in the real job.
CNC machine operators must have many skills to be effective in their jobs. Amatrol’s CNC Machine Operator Program teaches future operators hands-on skills in the following areas:
Learning often depends on keeping the student focused and engaged. Every learner is different, so effective learning material incorporates all learning styles – text, narration, and graphics. Amatrol incorporates all three learning styles into all of our programs. To further engage the learner, we target using animation, video, pictures, drawings and graphics to bring balance and interest to the material. When any one thing is dominant, students become bored. Amatrol keeps the material and the student moving – making learning fun!
Animations are particularly useful in showing a student the internal operations of machines and processes.
Amatrol’s CNC Machine Operator Program contains many interactive exercises where students interact by pushing buttons, operating devices, identifying components, and more. This interactivity greatly enhances retention.
All the fancy graphics, animation and video in the world do nothing by themselves – they are only effective as part of well developed, thorough curriculum. Amatrol’s CNC Machine Operator Program starts with basic measurement. It guides the student through 24 self-paced learning units to fully do the job of a CNC machine operator.
NIMS strongly recommends the Amatrol CNC Machine Operator for this reason – it gets the job done. The learning materials were developed based on industry task analysis, input from experts in a large global manufacturer, and testing in the workplace. The training and NIMS certifications support the real CNC machine operator needs of manufacturers everywhere.
Obtaining a NIMS CNC Machine Operator certification is straightforward. See the diagram to the right.
The training NIMS recommends for the certification, offered by Amatrol, is computer-based, making it easily deliverable to students everywhere. Amatrol’s CNC Machine Operator Program emphasizes the hands-on skills and knowledge needed for the job. As with the NIMS certification, Amatrol’s CNC Machine Operator Program has been developed with industry and validated in the workplace.
Finding qualified CNC machine operators is challenging for any manufacturing organization. How do you know someone can do the job? Delivering consistent product quality when multiple people are involved, often in different locations, is also a big challenge. Experience in operating a CNC does not equate to consistent skills or approaches, which often shows up in higher warranty and repair costs. Business suffers when combined with the often larger issue of insufficient CNC machine operators to fill open jobs.
NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) is leading the charge in developing solutions for these very real issues. NIMS has developed two CNC machine operator certifications, one for the CNC mill and one for the CNC lathe, that prove an individual’s ability to perform the job. NIMS credentials are portable recommendations that a person can perform the work of a CNC Machine Operator according to recognized national standards that have been industry-validated.
