Industrial Machining

Career Outlook:

Earning Potential:

Median: $47,940/year

Job Growth:

1% (Steady)

Credentials:

OSHA 10-Hour
National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS)

Topics:

Introduction to machining technology and principles
Safety practices and procedures in machining
Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and blueprints
Precision measurement techniques and tools
Machining tools and equipment operation and maintenance
Metal cutting and shaping techniques
CNC programming and operation
Heat treatment and surface finishing of metals
Quality control and inspection techniques
Career exploration and job readiness
And more!

Program Overview

The Machining program at Collins Career Technical Center's Technology Academy is designed to provide high school students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in machining. Students will learn how to use precision tools, such as lathes and milling machines, to shape metal and other materials into various forms, such as engine parts and machine components. The program covers a wide range of topics, including blueprint reading, measurement techniques, and computer-aided design (CAD) software. By the end of the program, students will have developed the technical skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in the machining industry.

What do Machinists Do?

Machinists typically do the following:

Read detailed drawings or files, such as blueprints, sketches, and those for computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
Set up, operate, and disassemble manual, automatic, and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools
Align, secure, and adjust cutting tools and workpieces
Monitor the feed and speed of machines
Turn, mill, drill, shape, and grind machine parts to specifications
Verify that completed products meet requirements

Machinists use lathes, milling machines, grinders, and other machine tools to produce precision metal parts. Many machinists must be able to use both manual and CNC machinery. CNC machines control the cutting tool speed and do all necessary cuts to create a part. The machinist programs instructions into the CNC machine to determine the cutting path, cutting speed, and feed rate.

Although workers may produce large quantities of one part, precision machinists often produce small batches or single items. The parts that machinists make include steel bolts, titanium bone screws, and automobile pistons.

Some machinists repair broken parts or make new parts that an industrial machinery mechanic discovers in a machine. The machinist refers to engineering drawings to create the replacement.

Some manufacturing processes use lasers, water jets, and electrified wires to cut the workpiece. As engineers design and build new types of machine tools, machinists must learn new machining properties and techniques.