Machine Tool Operation - CNC
Technical Diploma
35 Credits | 1 Year
Financial Aid-Eligible
Rice Lake
Career Cluster: Manufacturing
Set up a program tour
Meet instructors, talk to current students and explore the campus.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about WITC's programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
Machining is the foundation of all manufacturing. If you have never heard of machine tool or machining it is an essential part of your life. Any product you own, use or even or touch has either been machined or has been made from a die or mold that has been machined. Machining is mostly done with computer controlled equipment and is the modern replacement to manually operated machine tools used thru the 1950s and '60s. CNC machines cut material, everything from metal to plastic, to make parts, molds, for the manufacturing industry. People who become machinists are well paid and in high demand.
Program Overview
Machine Tool Operation - CNC program is a 9-month technical diploma program designed to provide in-depth study and hands-on skills in the machine processing of a variety of metals.
Students become proficient in the set up and operation of mills, lathes, grinders, drills, and saws as you complete increasingly complex projects while holding tight tolerances. Various pieces of precision measuring equipment are used to check quality. Additional work in blueprint reading, heat-treating, and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining is required to complete the Machine Tool Operation - CNC program.
Program Outcomes
Machine Tool Operation - CNC graduates will be able to:
- Apply basic safety practices in the machine shop
- Interpret industrial/engineering drawings
- Apply precision measuring methods to part inspection
- Perform basic machine tool equipment set up and operation
- Perform programming, set up, and operation of CNC machine tools
As a machinist, you will learn a highly skilled trade that requires precision and attention to detail. You will interpret engineering drawings, apply precision measuring methods for inspection, perform CNC programming with software.
WITC students are in high demand.
Graduates get high starting salaries.
Learn by doing.
Academics
Machine Tool Operation - CNC is offered on the Rice Lake campus, but similar programs are offered at all four of the WITC locations.
Career Pathways
The Machine Tool Operation - CNC program offers two embedded technical diplomas in Manufacturing Production Technician 11 of the 35 credits and CNC Technician which is 20 of the 35 credits needed for the full diploma.
Experienced Instructors
As a Machine Tool Operation - CNC student at WITC, you will have access to instructors with years of machining experience in a variety of industries.
Current Technology
Being able to program CNC equipment as well as learning programs such as Master Cam will make you an attractive employment candidate for area employers.
Curriculum
Program specific subjects covered include, Machining Fundamentals and Drilling Processes, Machining – Milling Processes, Machining – Surface Grinding Processes, CNC Turning – Basic and Advanced Operation and Programming, Print Reading for Machine Trades, Intro to CAD/CAM, CAD/CAM Application, CNC Milling – Basic & Advanced Operation and Programming.
Featured Machine Tool Operation - CNC Courses
Machine Tool Operation - CNC is Part of a Career Pathway
As a Machine Tool Operation - CNC student at WITC, you can earn credentials each step of the way.
You could take this first and get a credential.
Manufacturing Production Technician
Advance your skills with this technical diploma.
CNC Technician
This is the program you’re looking at.
Continue your education to obtain your bachelor's degree.
Machine Tool Operation - CNC Bachelor's Degree
Admissions and Tuition
WITC has a simple three-step admissions process that can be completed in one visit. Fill out the application form either online or at a campus, complete an assessment and meet with a WITC counselor. In the meeting, you'll discuss your goals and the counselor will make sure you're getting the most out of your education and the best bang for your buck.
Tuition and Fees
WITC breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits and scholarships.
Estimated Total Program Costs*
Machine Tool Operation - CNC
35 Credits | 1 Year
$5,284
$623 for books (including tax)
$2,100 for tools, supplies and uniforms
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the WITC Machine Tool Operation - CNC Program
Upon completion of the program, you will obtain technical diplomas in Manufacturing Production Technician, CNC Technician and Machine Tool Operation - CNC.
Transfer Options
Transfer your WITC credits to a four-year college in Wisconsin to obtain your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
WITC's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
Gainful Employment
Established by the U.S. Department of Education, Gainful Employment is available to help you make an informed decision about which career to pursue. This required information shows data about how WITC's technical diploma programs that receive federal financial aid lead to gainful employment in recognized careers.
Set up a program tour
Meet instructors, talk to current students and explore the campus.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about WITC's programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
