The Problem:

Facing increasing competition both nationally and abroad, manufacturers are calling upon the educational system to supply more highly skilled workers to survive. But schools can't afford to invest in the growing variety of CNC machinery that is likely to be found in their local shops. In addition to the costs involved, it has become increasingly difficult for instructors to be knowledgeable on all the common models of CNC controls along with their use of both G & M code and conversational programming techniques.

The MasterTask Solution:

MasterTask set the standard in competency-based instruction during the last 40 years. Because the operation and adjustment of a machine tool requires a high degree of accuracy, we would recommend you consider using the MasterTask 100% approach. You will find that the course only covers knowledge and skills needed to perform the job, therefore, learning less than all of the information can be the source of unnecessary operator error.

The course material is organized in a logical progression. New students first acquire the skills of a machinery operator, then progress to become a set up person, and finally a set up programmer. Experienced operators can quickly overcome their inefficiencies and produce better quality, increased productivity and reduced operating costs.

This course achieve four major goals:

1. Provide instruction on the major brands of CNC Controls and include both G & M code and conversational programming.
2. Provide simulations of the controls so you can satisfy the needs of local manufacturers without the expense of more equipment.
3. Make it easy for instructors to manage a class with a diversity of students and needs.
4. Allow a range of instructional approaches including Open-Entry Open-Exit, classroom, and on-location.

Focused Instruction and Testing:

To make sure your students learn exactly what they need, you select the CNC control models found on your machines when they are initially registered in the computer-based management system. The CNC controls include the common models of GE Fanuc, Fanuc, General Numeric, Haas, Okuma and Mazak. It is estimated that 85% or more of the lathes in shops today use one of the controls covered by this course.

Simulations:

Most schools cannot afford to have examples of all the common CNC controls, yet those are the skills students need in today's manufacturing plants. Your students will be tested with realistic simulations of the computer screens and control panels found in the industry. They will learn their job tasks without tying up your limited lab equipment, or making costly mistakes that damage your machinery and tooling.

Covering the Tasks:

While you will select the CNC controls your students will learn, this performance-based course does not simply teach controls. All of the common operating and set up tasks are covered including topics like troubleshooting faulty part features, reducing cycle time and even basic tasks such as mounting a fixture and aligning it to the axes of the machining center.

Other Controls:

Many schools using the original version of this course reported their students were able to handle other control types much more easily because of the greater understanding of the principles and techniques taught throughout the course. If you need to teach a specific control which is not included in the course, you can select one or more controls which are similar and use the Adapt Test function to select the test items that most closely match the control and processes.

Flexible Design:

Mastering CNC Machining Centers is divided into 5 courses. Each course has between 4 and 6 lessons. The course manager can control what skills a person learns by activating or deactivating individual lessons within a course. The normal sequence of learning builds the skills starting with machinery operator, then setup operator, and finally setup/programmer.

Course 1: The Basic CNC Machining Center
Course 2: Understanding Part Programs
Course 3: Machining Center Operator Skills
Course 4: Basic Setup and Programming Skills
Course 5: Advanced Setup Skills

The Learning Sequence:

Each course includes a number of lessons. For example, Course 1 has four lessons. The instruction for each lesson is found on a professionally produced color DVD or videocassette. The DVD chapter menu allows the student to select the CNC control type to learn. After viewing a lesson, the student can turn to the work sheet for that lesson found in the Student Guide for that course. Answers to the Student Guide work sheet questions are found in the Instructor's Guide. After completing a Student Guide test, a student can begin the CD-ROM test. The CNC control, or controls, selected by the course manager when registering the student in the course determines which questions will be presented to the student.