CNC Machining Professional
ICAT T
Occupational Profile
Tasks and Activities
CNC Machining Professionals produce precision building
components through shaping processes such as turning, milling,
drilling, or sanding. In doing so, they work with CNC instruments,
which are programmed and monitored throughout the production
process.
Tasks and Activities Description: Precision without
Compromise
Machines and devices used in the auto, air, aerospace, medicine and
electrotechnic industries are created from many metal components
with the utmost precision. Drilling and hollowing must be done
exactly on the right spots. CNC Machining Professionals produce
such components for various areas of application in accordance
with prescribed procedures and quality standards: they create
elbow connectors, gears and threads, as well as profile bowls and
engine components for planes; products which can measure only
a few millimeters or end up weighing a ton. For example, when a
turbine is needed for an energy producing windmill, CNC Machining
Professionals review the complete customer documentation and
sometimes need to gather further information. Does the description
match the type of turbine in question and is it made of the desired
material? In some cases, parts must be ordered from a provider.
Primarily, CNC Machining Professionals familiarize themselves
with every detail of the technical diagram of the component. They
calculate any missing measurements from the available data that
may be needed in the eventual installation of the part.
From the Grinding Wheel to the Finished Component
In accordance with each contract, the CNC Machining Professional
will create a description for the project and tasks, which will
be used to document the progress of work. CNC Machining
Professionals determine the production parameters and check
whether the appropriate kind of steal is available in reserve.
Team work is also an essential part of this work: CNC Machining
Professionals must often communicate with colleagues about
various issues, such as how to improve the flow of materials and
how to achieve the highest customer satisfaction, while also
considering safety standards and deadlines. Matters of economic
significance, such as length of production time, the cost of
tools and machines, and the use of various materials, also play
an important role. Once the production plan is in place, CNC
Machining Professionals choose the machines, tools and testing
materials needed. When appropriate, technical procedures like
an ultrasonic grinding process will be used. CNC Machining
Professionals enter new control programs or call up old ones, which
they improve when necessary. Once the program is created and
entered, the machines and tools must be set up for processing.
In doing so, the CNC Machining Professional must monitor the
tension in the fashioning devices, as well as any additional fixtures
involved. A CNC Machining Professional must also test the cutting
ability of turning, drilling and milling tools, dimensions and form,
which they monitor and position. Mechanical values, such as
milling speed and depth, must be applied and entered into the
production plan. CNC Machining Professionals then place the
molding blank into the machine and production can begin.
The Need for Monitoring
After a test run, CNC Machining Professionals begin the production
process and monitor it constantly. A great amount of care and
oversight are essential. Particularly for individual production, CNC
Machining Professionals take sample measurements throughout the
process on the tools in order to ensure that the prescribed quality
standards are being maintained. When deviations occur, even to
the hundredth of a millimeter, CNC Machining Professionals must
correct the program for the machine. If disturbances occur in the
operation of the machine, they must identify, document and correct
the problem, for example by changing out individual tool pieces or
correcting the rotational speed of the drill. Usually CNC Machining
Professionals work on the machines independently. Long periods
of standing, noise from the machines and shift work all belong
to the daily work of a CNC Machining Professional. Protective
clothing must be worn, especially protective shoes, gloves, ear plugs
and sometimes even protective eye glasses. When production is
complete, CNC Machining Professionals must determine whether
all the measurements meet the requirements and test the quality
of the product’s surface. At times, sharp corners may need to
be sanded down by hand. CNC Machining Professionals are also
responsible for the care and upkeep of the machines and tools
themselves. In order to ensure that the production processes flow as
smoothly as possible, CNC Machining Professionals work with both
up- and downstream departments in the business. CNC Machining
Professionals must fastidiously hold themselves and their work to
the highest quality standards and contribute to the continuous
improvement of the process, quality and safety of the company.
Tasks and Activities in Detail
• Program CNC instruments and production systems to drill, sand, turn or mill (metal) building components
• Set up machines and systems, and conduct test runs
• Mount machine parts, bring machines into operation and
monitor the production process
• Conduct and oversee quality control checks using measuring
gauges, screws, caliber and surface measuring instruments
• Trim, grind and/or sand components when necessary
• Document work progress and results
• Clean and maintain machines and systems; inspect mechanical
and electronic components, maintain and restore them as
necessary
• Plan, prepare and organize work duties within the team; work
with up and downstream markets within the business and
coordinate with customers
• Analyze technical diagrams and other documents; choose taskappropriate manufacturing systems, plan and prepare for
processing
• Always strive for quality standards, abide by company quality
management guidelines and participate in the continuous
improvement of the company
German American Chamber of Commerce
of the Midwest, Inc.
321 North Clark Street, Suite 1425
Chicago, Illinois 60654-4714
Phone: (312) 494-2181
Fax: (312) 644-0738
ICATT@gaccmidwest.org
www.gaccmidwest.org/ICATT
ICAT T
CNC Machining Professional
Training Profile
Duration of
of tTaineeship
Traineeship: 3 years
Duration
within the ICATT program: 3 years
Location of Training: Company and College
Venues for training:
Company and College
Field of activity:
CNC Machining Professionals produce precision building components through shaping processes such as turning,
milling, drilling, or sanding. In doing so, they work with CNC instruments, which are programmed and monitored
throughout the production process.
Occupational skills:
CNC Machining Professional
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Program CNC instruments and production systems to drill, sand, turn, or mill (metal) building components
Set up machines and systems, and conduct test runs
Mount machine parts, bring machines into operation and monitor the production process
Conduct and oversee quality control checks using measuring gauges, screws, caliber and surface measuring
instruments
Trim, grind and/or sand components when necessary
Document work progress and results
Clean and maintain machines and systems; inspect mechanical and electronic building components, maintain
and restore them as necessary
Plan, prepare and organize work duties within the team; work with up and downstream markets within the
business and coordinate with customers
Analyze technical diagrams and other documents; choose task-appropriate manufacturing systems, plan and
prepare for processing
Always strive for quality standards, abide by company quality management guidelines and participate in the
continuous improvement of the company
German American Chamber of Commerce
of the Midwest, Inc.
321 North Clark Street, Suite 1425
Chicago, Illinois 60654-4714
Phone: (312) 494-2181
Fax: (312) 644-0738
ICATT@gaccmidwest.org
www.gaccmidwest.org/ICATT