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2025-2026 Workforce Education Catalog

UMAC 150 - Introduction to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operations (Mill and Lathe)

Introduction to setup, operations, and programming procedures for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Mills and Lathes. Includes CNC machining system, positioning and coordinate systems used in CNC machining,  part programming, diagnosis and correction of programming errors, and programming procedure.

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Course Learning Outcomes:
  1. Describe tool changers, tool storage, tool offsets, and special tooling, and fixturing. 
  2. Demonstrate the construction of a basic part program. 
  3. Pass the NMIS CNC Lathe Operations Credential 
  4. Demonstrate machine setup, tool setting, loading of the program, and machining of the part.
  5. Pass the NIMS CNC Mills Operations Credential
Outline:
  1. Numerical Control (NC) and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Systems 
    1. Introduction and safety procedures 
    2. Description of NC/CNC machinery 
    3. Objectives and application of NC/CNC 
    4. Components and control systems 
    5. Tool changers, tools storage, and special tooling/fixturing 
  2. Positioning and Coordinate Systems used in NC/CNC Programming 
    1. Review the cartesian coordinate system
    2. Description and the use of datum and delta dimensioning
    3. Description and the use of absolute and incremental positioning 
    4. Plotting part coordinates 
    5. Plotting cutter offsets 
    6. Selecting order of operations needed for programming 
    7. Developing a program 
    8. Importance of the program documentation 
  3. Part Programming 
    1. Point to point programming 
    2. Program formatting 
    3. Description and use of Canned Cycles 
    4. Trigonometry used in plotting intersections and tangent points 
      1. Plotting angle positions 
      2. Plotting angle positions 
      3. Plotting cutter offsets 
    5. Arc programming 
    6. Angular programming 
  4. Diagnosis and Correction of Programming Errors 
    1. Operation error 
    2. Dimensional error 
    3. Machine error 
    4. Programming error 
  5. Machine Usage Procedures 
    1. Set zero coordinates/tool length offset 
    2. Load and edit program in machine 
    3. Adjust speed and feeds 
    4. Program prove in 
    5. Cutting tool setup