Mission Statement
The mission of the Machine Tool Technology program is to provide the quality education and training necessary for students to enter the field of machining.
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Work Environment
Today, many machine shops are relatively clean, well lit, and ventilated. Computer-controlled machines often are partially or totally enclosed, thus minimizing the exposure of workers to noise, debris, and the lubricants used to cool work pieces during machining. Many machinists work a 40-hour week. Evening and weekend shifts are becoming more common, as companies extend hours of operation to make better use of expensive machines. However, this trend is somewhat offset by lights-out manufacturing that uses fewer machinists and the use of machine operators for less desirable shifts. Overtime work is common during peak production periods.
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Nature of the Work
Machinists use lathes, milling machines, grinders, and other types of machine tools to produce precision metal parts. Although they may produce large quantities of one part, precision machinists often produce small batches of one-of-a-kind items. They use their knowledge of the working properties of metals and their skill with machine tools to plan and carry out the operations needed to make machined products that meet precise specifications. The parts that machinists make range from bolts to automobile pistons.
Machinists first review electronic or written blueprints or specifications for a job before they machine a part. Next, they calculate where to cut or bore into a piece of steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, silicon, or any other material that they are shaping into a product or tool. They determine how fast to feed the work piece into the machine and how much material to remove. They then select tools and materials for the job, plan the sequence of cutting and finishing operations, and mark the work piece to show where they are to make cuts.
After this layout work is completed, machinists perform the necessary machining operations. They position the work piece on the drill press, lathe, milling machine, or other type of machine, set the controls, and make the cuts. During the machining process, they must constantly monitor the feed rate and speed of the machine. Machinists also ensure that the work piece is lubricated and cooled properly because the machining of metal products generates a significant amount of heat.
Some machinists, often called production machinists, may produce large quantities of one part, especially parts requiring the use of complex operations and great precision. Many modern machine tools are computer numerically controlled (CNC). CNC machines, following a computer program, control the cutting tool speed, change dull tools, and perform all necessary cuts to create a part. Frequently, machinists work with computer control programmers to determine how the automated equipment will cut a part. The machinist determines the cutting path, speed of the cut and the feed rate, and the programmer converts path, speed, and feed information into a set of instructions for the CNC machine tool. Many machinists must be able to use both manual and computer-controlled machinery in their job.
Because most machinists train in CNC programming, they may write basic programs themselves and often modify programs in response to problems encountered during test runs. Modifications, called offsets, not only fix problems, but they also improve efficiency by reducing manufacturing time and tool wear.
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Employment
Machinists held about 421,500 jobs nationally in 2008. About 78 percent of machinists work in manufacturing industries, such as machine shops and machinery, motor vehicle and parts, aerospace products and parts, and other transportation equipment manufacturing. Job opportunities for machinists should continue to be good, as employers value the wide-ranging skills of these workers.
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Earnings
Median hourly wages nationally of machinists were $17.41 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $13.66 and $21.85. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.79, while the top 10 percent earned more than $26.60.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the diploma program in Machine Tool Technology will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Effectively read and interpret blueprints for machine tool applications
- Determine the characteristics of metals and the appropriate heat treating processes
- Perform surface grinding operations
- Perform lathe operations
- Perform mill operations
- Apply CNC fundamentals
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Basic Grinding Operations will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings, and schematics used in the machine tool industry
- Evaluate the characteristics and properties of metals and heat treatment processes
- Perform surface grinder operations
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Basic Machining Operator will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Read and interpret blueprints for machine tool applications
- Perform surface grinding operations
- Perform lathe operations
- Perform mill operations
- Perform basic and advanced algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric mathematical operations
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in CNC Specialist will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Perform CNC fundamental operations
- Perform CNC manual mill programming
- Perform CNC manual lathe programming
- Perform CNC practical applications
- Develop CAD/CAM programming applications
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Lathe Operator will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Read and interpret blueprints for machine tool applications
- Perform basic lathe operations
- Perform advanced lathe operations
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Mill Operator will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Perform basic and advanced milling machine calculations
- Perform basic and advanced milling machine set up
- Perform basic and advanced milling machine operations
- Interpret machine tool blueprints, sketches, and drawings
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
For students to be successful in the Machine Tool Technology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Ability to Use Senses
- Visual: Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
- Hearing: Ability to hear sounds and emergency signals (with auditory aids or a full-time interpreter for the hearing impaired) and to understand a normal speaking voice without direct access to the speaker's face
- Tactile: Feel heat/cold or pain and evaluate the possible danger of injury from sharp or jagged edges
- Motor Ability
- Physical ability to walk long distances and stand for long periods of time; to lift, move and transfer equipment of at least 50 pounds; and to maneuver in limited space
- Ability to work while in hot/humid and/or cold conditions
- Manual dexterity to efficiently and safely use equipment, power tools, hand tools, and other small and large equipment while wearing essential safety glasses and/or other necessary required safety gear
- Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment
- Practical awareness of potential dangers of the machine shop
- Ability to wear necessary safety gear, i.e. safety glasses, gloves, head covering, etc.
- Ability to maintain safe environment at all times
- Ability to Communicate
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to class partners and/or team and to instructor
- Ability to write and perform routine mathematical calculations clearly and correctly
- Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as required by the industry
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, and prioritizing daily functions in today's machine shop
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety
- Ability to react and adjust as instructed by the instructor(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on a customer's needs
- Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability
- Ability to function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and work environment
- Ability to Perform Practical Outcomes
- Ability to function under the practical guidelines of machine tool technology
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Program supply fee (Varies - see course descriptions for exact amounts)
- Textbooks (Approximately $905 for the Machine Tool Technology diploma program, $160 for the CNC specialist program, $255 for the Lathe Operator program, and $250 for the Mill Operator program)
- Tools (Approximately $675 for the Machine Tool Technology program)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
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