Computerized Manufacturing and Machining

What is Computerized Manufacturing and Machining?

The Computerized Manufacturing & Machining program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers in the machining and manufacturing field. This program provides learning opportunities to develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.

The program emphasizes a combination of machine tool theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Students are eligible to receive any of our four certificates or two diplomas after successfully completing the specified courses. We also offer an AAS Degree in General Occupational/Technical Studies.

Our up-to-date laboratory facility and equipment, and our well prepared faculty are just some of the reasons why Somerset Community College has remained a strong force for serious technical preparation in the machining trades.

What are my career choices?

Machine tool technicians make things happen. Employment opportunities are steadily increasing; almost every product manufactured requires the skills of a highly trained machine tool technician. You will find opportunities for employment in manufacturing plants, private machine shops and through self-employment.

About the Industry

Machinists are highly skilled operators of machine tools that are used to make metal or non-metallic parts. Working from blueprints or sketches, a machinist will make or repair parts for a wide variety of tools or machines.

Instructional Philosophy

To increase student success, our program has chosen to stress the learning of functional tasks rather than to promote an environment where students choose their own projects. All of our laboratory exercises are designed to introduce students to a broad scope of tasks typically performed on conventional or CNC machines. Our technical advisory group annually reviews our curriculum. They guide our decisions to include new topics, delete out-of-date ones, and to continue those that are still viable.

Our conventional machining program stresses the set up and operation of lathes and vertical mills for a wide variety of processes. The classes provide instruction in blueprint reading, shop math, measurement and inspection, job planning, safety, and general machining theory. Our CNC program also emphasizes the set up, operation, and programming of vertical mills and lathes; to include aspects of wire and sinker EDM.

In manual programming courses, students learn proper formatting of CNC code, calculations related to determining coordinate data, proper use of programming techniques such as the use of sub programming, and experience cutting parts using their own programs on our CNC machines. In computer assisted programming classes students learn how to use software such as Mastercam to generate machine code for CNC mills and lathes. All classes are structured with time allocated for lecture/demonstrations and hands-on laboratory time.

What are my degree, diploma or certificate options?

Advising Plans

Certificates

Diplomas

Length of Program

You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.