Skill explained

CNC technology has reached a stage of having become omnipresent. A lot of people can hardly imagine how important these technologies are in their lives: it is present in products and objects of everyday life as e.g. cars, airplanes, components of machines of all types, moulds for tools used for household machines, cell phones, toys, medicine prosthesis, etc.

CNC Technology includes machining tools such as lathes, multi-axis spindles, wire electrical discharge machines and milling machines, where the functions formerly performed by human operators are now performed by a computer-control module. The professionals associated to this skill use computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines to cut and shape precision products, as mentioned above. To form a finished part the cutting process can be started from a solid block, premachined parts or castings.

Thus the abbreviation (CNC) refers to a computer (""control"") that reads instructions (""G-code"") and drives the machine tool, a powered mechanical device (""milling machine""), used to fabricate components by the selective removal of material. A programme with “G-codes” is required and generated manually and/or automatically using CAD/CAM software followed by the necessary machining operations.

Today a wide range of industries require CNC milling professionals to program, operate and keep sophisticated milling machines running in an efficient and reliable way. Large enterprises such as automobile, medium-sized enterprises, such as mould making and small enterprises on maintenance field are some of many examples where the CNC milling professional plays a key role to the success of metalwork industry.

Required skills

Interpret engineering drawings and follow the specification; the ability to organize and to establish process planning; the ability to apply different methods and techniques to generate a program; the ability to use the different measuring tools & gauging instruments, the ability to operate and setup a CNC milling Machine; the ability to run, to control and to optimize the machining process.

What the Competitors do at the Competition

Using a Vertical Machining Centre, the Competitors will be required to produce metal parts covering different practical scenarios.



The Competitor must have an understanding of:



Quality Standards

Standards for the environment, safety, hygiene and prevention at work

Computer operating systems

Mathematics – calculation and geometry

Metrology

Properties and behaviour of materials

Technical design and process planning

CNC equipment technology (Vertical Machining Centre) – programming and operating

CAM system programming ability

Cutting technology according to the cutting parameters, the material, and the equipment and cutting tools.