Learning CNC

[Mud_Dog]

Hey All,

Been thinking about my career path lately, and I came to the conclusion that I need to learn how to operate CNC machines. The local community colleges have programs, but they want to have me take pre-requisite courses on how to measure and use a computer. Not exactly a novice there, I know how to run a manual lathe & knee mill from Gunsmithing school. While I'm not an expert on computers, I'm better than average, and I have a loose grasp on programming.

The only other options I know of would be to read a book or learn on the job. I'm more of a hands-on learner, so books probably aren't going to do much, and I doubt I could get in the door to a machine shop that uses CNC machines if I didn't already know how to use one. I don't think I need a degree but I do need experience enough that I'm not gonna wreck an expensive machine.

Is there any better way to learn?

Thanks for your help!

[Precision]

Just shooting in the dark, but when I was a chef I would get people who wanted to trade free labor for training. People who did not seem like complete retards got to work with us and see what we do and how.

Might want to try that route. Approach several shops and be direct and honest. One will probably accept the free help.

[rightisright]

Local community colleges?

[Steamforger]

I hired into a CNC shop in an operator position after seperating from the Navy with zero experience. I ended up working there for 8 years and consider it one of the premier educations I have received to date. I did not, however, want to spend the rest of my life chained to a lathe. I seriously doubt this would even be possible today. I also doubt any shop is going to let you come in and work for free simply for two reasons. Insurance requirements (I've been cut and smacked on the hand by lathes. It's a function of when, not if) and if you're learning on a machine (even shadowing someone) production is slowing down.

I have no idea if you are near a Haas center or if distance learning is an option with them. Might want to check with them in any event. A quick google search of "CNC Simulator" yields more than a few hits. That might be a way to teach yourself G and M code.

Personally, if you're not looking for employment, I would go check out the CC and see what you can get away with. Maybe you can knock out a few of the pre-reqs. They may be a better fit for your schedule. If the pre-reqs are no biggie, load up on them and get them out of the way as fast as possible.

I'm sure HTRN will be able to provide much better, and current, info than I have here.

ETA- You're going to wreck a machine. Might as well make peace with that now. Most aren't too bad. Generally speaking you tear up a high dollar tool more than anything. Now, will you index a turret holding a 2" core drill and the tool eye extended and crack the tool eye armature into two seperate and distinct pieces? Probably not, but I have seen it happen.

[HTRN]

operate CNC machines

"operation" requires little if any training. Load vise. Push green button. Push red button if problem, remove part when done. Do spot check if necessary. Repeat.

Now "Setup" is another story. I walked into the first shop, started as an operator, but because I had a degree and "interest", I was shown how to do setup along the way. Six months in, I was a setup guy.

If you want to go this route, make sure you go to a very small shop - in a big place all you will ever do is push the big green button. In a small shop, they can't afford guys who can only do one thing.

You're going to have to elucidate on what exactly do you want? If your looking to understand, that's one thing, if you want the skillset to work as a production machinist, that's another(and involves other things, like the ability to use CAM, which has become almost a necessity these days if you want to work).

[Steamforger]

I was doing setups fairly quickly as well. Our shop just didn't have the personnel for a set-up guy. We spot checked each other's first pieces and as needed for ourselves along the way. We also didn't lock out the program. If you needed to make an adjustment, that was left up to you to decide. Even then, with parts runs often up to 1000pcs, button monkey still happened.

[HTRN]

We spot checked each other's first pieces and as needed for ourselves along the way.

That's just good shop practice. One place I know of, the setup guy would do his thing, run a part off, make adjustments, run another part off, run through the rest of the man process, send it to inspection, where they'd use a CMM(because a papertrail was required), and only once QC gave a sign off did you let the machine rip.

[Mud_Dog]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the suggestions and help!

I'm essentially looking to learn both programming and operation, and if I was pretty good at it, I might consider making a career of it. If memory serves, entry level machining pays a lot more than what I make right now(<$15/hr) and would help save up for projects a lot faster, not to mention pay off the current student & house loans.

The Haas website shows that both Community colleges near me are members, I assume that means they train on those machines. I'll probably end up calling both of them to see if they can help me out somehow.

[Steamforger]

I think that might be your best course.

[McClarkus]

I refinanced the house and just got one. A bigger and more expensive one than I needed but I figured I would grow into it with the business plan that I have. I broke a number of bits and really messed up some materials but it is a learning curve that will really stick with you. I am still a novice and I don't speak G code but I can run the software that I have and I can build things now. Modeling stuff in the computer can really be time consuming trying to learn it just off the tutorials. I've been doing it part time for a couple years now and I will be putting in a bid at a local business for a conference room. They want some banners top and bottom with some items on the sides but the main thing will be multiple logos for their different departments. I will keep at it, and hope it becomes easier with time.