CNC machinist
An 8-step path to becoming a CNC machinist: machine tool safety, technical drawings and tolerances, measuring tools, cutting tools and speeds, operating and setting up CNC mills and lathes, G-code, CAM programming in Fusion 360 or Mastercam, and quality inspection. Suits meticulous people who like machines and numbers.
Start here
Step 1: Machine tool safety & shop practice
One short lesson per step, 10–15 minutes on a phone. No sign-up needed.
Hands-on roadmap
Roadmap
- Step 1Lesson
Machine tool safety & shop practice
No gloves near rotating spindles, safety glasses, doors closed while running; emergency stops and secure workholding; handling hot sharp chips and coolant; 5S at the machine.
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 2Lesson
Technical drawings, tolerances & surface finish
Views, sections and dimensions; fit tolerances, basic geometric tolerancing and roughness symbols; reading English and Japanese drawings common in FDI factories.
Requires: Machine tool safety & shop practice
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 3Skill
Measuring tools & part inspection
Calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, plug and thread gauges, gauge blocks; correct measuring force and calibration; fill in inspection sheets and recognise thermal errors.
Requires: Technical drawings, tolerances & surface finish
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 4Lesson
Cutting tools, materials & cutting data
End mills, carbide inserts, drills and taps; calculate spindle speed and feed for steel, aluminium and stainless; signs of tool wear, chatter and burnt tools.
Requires: Measuring tools & part inspection
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 5Skill
Operating, part and tool setup on CNC mills & lathes
Use Fanuc and Mitsubishi controls; set vices and chucks; set work offsets with an edge finder and tool lengths; single-block and reduced-feed first runs to avoid crashes.
Requires: Cutting tools, materials & cutting data
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 6Skill
G-code & CAM programming
Write simple G-code: G00, G01, G02/G03, drilling and tapping cycles; program in Fusion 360 or Mastercam, simulate toolpaths and post-process for the correct machine.
Requires: Operating, part and tool setup on CNC mills & lathes
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 7Project
Machine a milled and turned part to tolerance
From a drawing: plan the process, program, set up and machine five parts within ±0.02 mm; inspect, record measurements and calculate cycle time.
Requires: G-code & CAM programming
No English content for this step yet.
- Step 8Certificate
Trade certificate, practical test & job search
Prepare for an elementary or national skills certificate in metal cutting; practise drawing-reading and setup tests used in interviews; apply to precision engineering and mould shops.
Requires: Machine a milled and turned part to tolerance
