Training Course Simulates CNC Machining

The company offers the “Mastering CNC Swiss—Online” course. When registering for the course, trainees select from Citizen, Star or Tsugami lathes as well as bar loaders from LNS, Citizen or Iemca. The course then provides instruction in both basic CNC machining as well as the specific procedures on the machine and bar loader combination selected. During the testing portion, trainees will see the screen displays, control panels and machinery components of the selected brands and will be required to complete the job tasks in simulation. If they make any mistakes, they repeat the procedure until they achieve a perfect score. They can return to the instruction within each module as often as they need. Coupling this learning system with daily job experience is intended to eliminate much of the production time lost with conventional training methods.   With the competency-based training technique, trainees are motivated to learn in two ways. First, they are evaluated by the rate at which they progress instead of by grades. Secondly, the ease with which they can achieve a perfect score encourages and motivates them to accelerate the learning process, the company says. Little to no reading is required with the multimedia based content, as instruction and testing include imagery with 3D and 2D animated graphics, slow motion video and real world examples of Swiss machining.   The course consists of four levels that take a trainee from basic operator through setup and basic programming skills. The 30 modules include 77 sections of core and specific content on the CNC Swiss machines and bar loaders. The registration process determines which material each trainee receives. A student guide manual can be printed from the Web site for each of the four levels in the course. The manuals are intended to improve retention and serve as reference documents that trainees can use on the job.   The course management system tracks each trainee and provides documentation to meet the requirements of ISO and NIMS certification.