Training courses of this kind do not cost much and are relatively short, while significantly increasing the chances of finding a good job. What does a CNC programmer course look like and why is it worth taking?
CNC programmer – what does the job involve?
The primary responsibility in this position is programming numerically controlled machine tools. Devices of this kind (CNC lathes and milling machines) enable automated machining by material removal – how the machine operates (how the machining devices move) is determined by a computer program. Such a program must be developed in advance, taking into account the needs of the company, the characteristics of the machined parts and other key aspects. A CNC programmer’s task is to develop the appropriate program and test how it works. Put simply, the programmer’s role is to write instructions containing information about the sequence of movements necessary to make (machine) a specific part. The programmer enters these instructions, in the form of alphanumeric code, into the microcomputer of the CNC machine.
CNC programmer and operator – how do their skills complement each other?
As mentioned, the programmer’s task is to write a program with instructions for the CNC machine. The operator, on the other hand, supervises the machine tool’s ongoing operation and checks whether the program works as intended. The person in this position initiates and controls the entire process: placing parts inside the machine, setting machining tools, correcting parameters, carrying out minor repairs, etc.
It is worth remembering that the positions of CNC programmer and operator are interconnected. An employee who can develop a program and then test its operation in practice is extremely valuable to a company. Similarly, an operator who also knows the basics of programming can correct possible programming errors on an ongoing basis, thereby ensuring smooth operation without unnecessary downtime.
What does a CNC machine programmer and operator course look like?
Training courses are currently available on the market that prepare participants to work as operator-programmers. One example is the CNC programming course, conducted in Wrocław by the Akademia Dla Przemysłu. The training consists of 16 hours of theory and as many as 48 hours of practical classes, covering, among other things, dimensioning, determining reference points, operating a virtual CNC machine controller and machining a part based on a previously created program. This training profile makes it possible to acquire the skills necessary for both positions: CNC operator and programmer.
The course teaches the necessary skills from scratch. No additional preparation is required to begin the training; determination and a willingness to learn are enough. The traits and aptitudes desired in CNC programmers include logical thinking, precision and mathematical abilities, especially spatial imagination.
When choosing a training centre, it is worth checking whether it offers complete training equipment, meaning equipment that includes all the functionalities actually used on production lines (unlike training machines, which offer only basic functions).