Precision Machining Technology Curriculum Guide and Course Descriptions

The Precision Machining Technology program is designed to give students the skills necessary to become gainfully employed in the manufacturing industry. Industry provides many jobs for machinists who operate machine tools that use different metals to form specific products through the use of drills, lathes, milling, grinding and Computerized Numeric Controls (CNC). Selecting the proper materials and tools, planning the project sequence according to the blueprints or written specifications, and forming the metal product while holding accuracies to within thousandths of an inch are skills obtained through the understanding of dimensions, units of measure and measuring instruments that are necessary for proficiency in machine technology.

Machining Certificate

course code course title credit hours
MACH-110 Safety (OSHA 10) 1
MACH-120 Precision Measurement and Gauges 2
MACH-140 Math for Manufacturing 3
MACH-116 Print Reading 3
MACH-160 Metallurgy 1
MACH-106 Machining I 3
MACH-145 Machining II 3
MACH-180 Workplace Ethics 2
MACH-107 Shop Math and Communications I 2
MACH-205 Machining III 6
MACH-215 Machining IV 6
MACH-245 Machining V 6
MACH-230 CNC Operations 3
MACH-131 Bench Work 1
MACH-135 Machine Tool Processes 1
MACH-170 Quality Control & Inspection 1
MACH-190 Computer Aided Design 2
Total   46

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Students completing a technical program may desire to seek the Associate in Applied Sciences Degree.  In addition to completing a technical program, this degree also requires the completion of 18 hours in general education.  Certain courses within this degree may or may not transfer to baccalaureate degree granting institutions. The student must complete 64 semester hours with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above.

Course Descriptions

CONT-190.  Precision Machining Applications.  Up to 4 Hours.  This course provides students with an opportunity to gain practical hands-on skills in the Precision Machining field.  This is a short course focused on machining applications found in many industrial settings and includes safety, machine maintenance, and machining concepts.

MACH-106.  Machining I. 3 Hours. Program orientation and workplace skills, rules and regulations and physical layout of shop area are discussed.  Orientation of safety issues, precision measurement tools and their applications, proper use of hand tools, and bench work procedures are covered in both the classroom and shop areas.  Blueprints, math applications, cutting fluids, proper layout of parts, proper inspection of parts, material cutting, using band saws and drilling machines are taught by lecture, demonstrations and student practice.  Safety, work habits and production are emphasized.

MACH-107.  Shop Math and Communications I.  2 Hours.  Checking account, gross earnings, payroll deductions, work ethic, customer communication applications, employability techniques, such as job applications, job interviewing techniques and resumes are taught to aid the student in competing for successful employment and better understanding of employee compensation.

MACH-110.  OSHA Safety. 1 Hour. Students will be introduced to OSHA policies, procedures and standards as well as general industry safety and health principles covered in OSHA Act Part 1910. Special emphasis will be placed on areas most hazardous using OSHA standards as a guide. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an OSHA general industry 10 hour course completion card from the Department of Labor.

MACH-116.  Print Reading. 3 Hours. Students will learn to identify basic lines, views and abbreviations used in blueprints, interpret basic 3D sketches using orthographic projections and blueprints, determine dimensions of features of simple parts, sketch simple parts with dimensional measurements, determine dimensions of a multi-feature part, interpret GDT symbols, frames and datums. 

MACH-120.  Precision Measurement & Gauges. 2 Hours. This course covers use of steel rules English and Metric, calipers, micrometers, height gage, depth gage, gage blocks, sign bar, bore gages, and other assorted precision measuring instruments as well as precision layout.  Topics include:  English and metric conversion, hardness testing, calibration of instruments, importance of repeatability, hands on measurement, instrument inspection and care.

MACH-131.  Bench Work. 1 Hours. Students will be provided the opportunity to learn  and practice bench work skills such as filing, drilling, tapping, deburring and layout for projects. They will gain valuable practical experience in the use of various hand tools by producing basic bench work projects. Topics will include safety, print reading, job planning, and quality control. 

MACH-135.  Machine Tool Processes. 1 Hour. This course will introduce the learner to the hazards that may be found in an industrial type setting. It will emphasize how to make quality suggestive changes. It will also concentrate on tool selection for a particular job and allow the student to make sound decisions in estimating, and machine cycle times. Group problem solving skills be will be applied in this course to a brainstorm cost analysis and tool geometry. 

MACH-140.  Math for Manufacturing. 3 Hours.  This course covers arithmetic skills required in a machine shop environment.  Topics include: common and decimal fractions, powers, roots, percentages, calculation of area for common geometric shapes, tapers, English, metrics, conversion, machine rpm formulas, units of angular measurement, sign bar and basic right hand trigonometry.

MACH -145.  Machining II.  6 Hours.  Introduction to lathe terminology, proper operation of a manually operated lathe and various applications of the machining processes are taught.  Safety, machine maintenance, machine care and sound work habits are stressed.  Trigonometry is taught to apply in shop applications.  

MACH-160.  Metallurgy. 1 Hour. Covers the structure, processing, thermal and mechanical properties of: metals, plastics, polymers and ceramic materials. Topics include: classification and properties of metals, synthesis and structure of polymers, chemical and heat treatment principals, corrosion avoidance, and selection of materials for particular application.

MACH-170.  Quality Control and Inspection. 1 Hour. Students will be introduced to Quality Control Procedures that will provide them with the principles of locating, analyzing and performing techniques used for precision measurement to be obtained, and the common tools that can be associated with the procedures. The course will also emphasize the importance of interchangeablility.  

MACH-180.  Workplace Ethics. 2 Hours. This course is designed to develop productive work habits, spirit of team work, and a sense of responsibilities as might be required in a machine shop environment.  Students are taught how to develop a work plan including the critical thinking skills necessary to accomplish this plan.  The importance of respect both for fellow students as well as shop equipment is stressed.  Finally, students are encouraged to develop the essential skills of communications and dependability both with their classmates and college personnel.

MACH-190.  Computer Aided Design I.  2 Hours.  Basic computer operations are covered along with data handling, command structure, and the coordinate system.  Design geometry is studied along with ANSI/ASME design standards.  Entity draw commands are introduced along with edit and layering commands. 

MACH-205.  Machining III.  6 Hours  Proper terminology, machine set-up and operation of milling machines are taught through lectures, demonstrations, text/workbooks and shop practices.  Safety, machine maintenance, machine care and precision machining concepts are emphasized.  Prerequisite:  Precision Machining II.

MACH-207.  On-the-Job Training (OJT or OJT Equivalent).  3 Hours. Students demonstrating excellent attendance, attitude and mastery of core curriculum competencies may be considered for on-the-job training experience.  Through the cooperation of local businesses, students are given the opportunity to apply the skills required for their future career.  Class attendance is also required.

MACH-215.  Machining IV.  6 Hours. Terminology and proper handling of precision grinders and grinding wheels are taught.  Grinding wheel selection, work holding methods, wheel dressing and surface finishing, as required by blueprint, are taught.  After manual lathe skills are obtained, students are introduced to the terminology and operation of computerized lathes.  Safety, machine maintenance, machine care and direct job related skills are required.  Prerequisite:  Precision Machining III and Metallurgy.

MACH-230.  CNC Operations. 3 Hours. Covers set up, maintenance and safe operations of Computer Numerical Controlled (C.N.C.) equipment; such as C.N.C. Mill and C.N.C. Lathe.  Prerequisite:  Precision Machining V.

MACH-245.  Machining V.  6 Hours. Advanced theory and safety on manual machining equipment and basic CNC programming.  G & M codes, offsets, cutter compensation, cutting tool speeds and feeds.  Introductions to Computer Aided Drawing and Computer Assisted Machining (CAD/CAM).  Introduction to Tool and Die making and machining knowledge in order to build molds, dies, jigs and fixtures. Training in specific areas to be determined by student and instructor as up grading current / new skills. Prerequisite:  Precision Machining IV.