How to become a Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator 2024

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator is Also Know as

In different settings, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator is titled as

CNC Gear Operator (Computer Numerical Control Gear Operator)
CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator)
CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator)
CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)
CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator)
CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator)
CNC Set Up Operator (Computer Numerical Control Set Up Operator)
Machine Operator
Machine Set Up Operator
Machinist

Education and Training of Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator is categorized in Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Experience Required for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Education Required for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Degrees Related to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

Training Required for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Related Ocuupations

Some Ocuupations related to Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator in different industries are

What Do Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator do?

Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
Remove and replace dull cutting tools.
Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.
Adjust machine feed and speed, change cutting tools, or adjust machine controls when automatic programming is faulty or if machines malfunction.
Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
Lift workpieces to machines manually or with hoists or cranes.
Modify cutting programs to account for problems encountered during operation, and save modified programs.
Calculate machine speed and feed ratios and the size and position of cuts.
Insert control instructions into machine control units to start operation.
Check to ensure that workpieces are properly lubricated and cooled during machine operation.
Input initial part dimensions into machine control panels.
Set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces.
Confer with supervisors or programmers to resolve machine malfunctions or production errors or to obtain approval to continue production.
Review program specifications or blueprints to determine and set machine operations and sequencing, finished workpiece dimensions, or numerical control sequences.
Monitor machine operation and control panel displays, and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions.
Control coolant systems.
Maintain machines and remove and replace broken or worn machine tools, using hand tools.
Stack or load finished items, or place items on conveyor systems.
Clean machines, tooling, or parts, using solvents or solutions and rags.
Enter commands or load control media, such as tapes, cards, or disks, into machine controllers to retrieve programmed instructions.
Transfer commands from servers to computer numerical control (CNC) modules, using computer network links.
Set up future jobs while machines are operating.
Implement changes to machine programs, and enter new specifications, using computers.
Write simple programs for computer-controlled machine tools.
Examine electronic components for defects or completeness of laser-beam trimming, using microscopes.
Lay out and mark areas of parts to be shot peened and fill hoppers with shot.

Qualities of Good Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Reaction Time: The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Hearing Sensitivity: The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Rate Control: The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Visual Color Discrimination: The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Depth Perception: The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Response Orientation: The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Fluency of Ideas: The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
Wrist-Finger Speed: The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Static Strength: The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Time Sharing: The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Originality: The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Memorization: The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
Sound Localization: The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Stamina: The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
Dynamic Strength: The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
Speed of Limb Movement: The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
Gross Body Coordination: The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
Peripheral Vision: The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
Spatial Orientation: The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
Gross Body Equilibrium: The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Night Vision: The ability to see under low-light conditions.
Glare Sensitivity: The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
Explosive Strength: The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.
Dynamic Flexibility: The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Tools Used by Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

0-1 drop indicators
2/3 axis computer numerically controlled CNC milling machines
5 axis lathes
8 axis lathes
Automatic measuring equipment
Bench grinders
Bore gauges
Bore mills
Borers
Boring bars
Buffers
Comparators
Computer numerical control CNC edge banders
Computer numerical control CNC routers
Computer numerical control CNC vertical lathes
Computer numerical control press brakes
Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines
Computerized numerical control CNC laser cutting equipment
Computerized numerical control CNC lathes
Computerized numerical control CNC routers
Computerized numerical control CNC tappers
Computerized numerical control CNC turning centers
Controllers
Coordinate measuring machines CMM
Deburring tools
Desktop computers
Dial calipers
Dial indicators
Drill presses
Electrical discharge machines EDM
Gauges
Go/no go test equipment
Grinders
Hand clamps
Height gauges
Horizontal machining tools
Industrial ovens
Jog mode operation joy sticks
Keyway broaches
Laser printers
Lathes
Manual mills
Material hoists
Metal band saws
Micrometers
Milling machines
Optical comparators
Personal computers
Pin gauges
Portable welding equipment
Power drills
Power sanders
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Reamers
Scribers
Slot micrometers
Soft jaws
Surface grinding machines
Swiss screw machines
Swiss style lathes
Tapping machines
Thread gauges
Threading machines
Turning centers
Twin spindle lathes
Twist drills
Vernier calipers
Vertical milling machines
Vises
Welding lenses
Welding shields
Wheeled forklifts

Technology Skills required for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

1CadCam Unigraphics
Autodesk AutoCAD
BobCAD-CAM
Cadem CAPSMill
Cadem CAPSTurn
Cadem NCnet
Cadem seeNC Mill
CGTech Vericut CNC
CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
CNC Mastercam
Computer aided design CAD software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Dassault Systemes CATIA
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Delcam PowerMILL
Direct motion computer numerically controlled CNC software
DP Technology ESPRIT
EditCNC
Eko
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
ERP software
ExtraTech Machine Tools Suite
EZ-CAM
FaceTime
FlashCut CNC
G-code
HOMAG WoodWOP
IMSI TurboCAD
JETCAM
KCD cabinet design software
Kentech Kipware M CNC
Kentech Kipware Studio
Kentech Kipware T CNC
Kentech Kipware Trig Kalculator
Kentech Kipware X CNC
Kentech machine shop software
Kentech PROTALK
M-code
Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
MDSI OpenCNC
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Word
MUMPS M
PartMaker SwissCAM
Predator DNC
PTC Creo Parametric
SAP software
SigmaTEK SigmaNEST
SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM
Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
TekSoft CAMWorks
UGS Solid Edge
Vero International VISI-Series
Vero Software Edgecam
Vero Software SURFCAM
Virtual Gibbs CADD/CAM
Work inspection software

US Universities

How to become Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator in 2024