Machining & Welding
Our competency-based Machining and Welding Program is a unique blend of two professions. The goal of this program is to help students develop job readiness skills relative to the welding and machining occupations. Good work ethics and employable skills are taught through classroom theory and shop activities. The course curriculum will be presented by classroom instruction, shop activities, and industrial tours.
Students will visit local industry and see how the computer and CNC equipment has dominated today’s manufacturing. Within the first year, students learn the basic theory and skills of both welding and machining through required classroom and shop activities. Measurement, blueprint reading, layout, machine setup, and operation of various types of welders and machines are all studied and applied. Required activities and projects act as a curriculum core in order for students to learn the fundamentals of these occupations. Once core requirements are completed, individual projects are encouraged to expand on these skills.
Second-year students have the opportunity to specialize in either the machining or welding portion of the program. Students will continue to develop their knowledge and ability through advanced trade applications in the occupation of their choice. In welding, students will focus on different types of welding procedures, as well as basic design and fabrication skills using pipe benders, rollers, brakes, and shears. In machining, students will expand on their current machine operations and setup skills, along with CNC programming and operation using "Mastercam" software, Haas CNC lathes, and vertical machining centers.
Program Content
First Year
Machining
- Blueprint Reading
- Basic math and linear measurement
- Setup and operation of a drill press, band saw, grinders, lathes, and milling machines
- CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine operation
Welding
- Blueprint Reading
- Oxy-Acetylene cutting, welding, and brazing
- MIG and Arc welding carbon steel
- Cutting and shearing techniques of band saws, abrasive cutoff saws, 10 gage shears and 35 ton ironworkers
Second Year Machining
- Advanced measurement techniques and instruments
- Advanced lathe and mill operations involving internal threading, grooving, boring, precision machining & grinding, and developing production machining & fabrication processes
- Finishing and Inspection
- Surface grinding
- Finish quality and instruments
- CNC - Computer Numerical Control
- Manual programming and CAM programming CNC (using Mastercam) lathes & mills
- CNC setup and operation of lathe and mill
Welding
- More advanced welding techniques such as designing and using basic jigs & fixtures, out of position welding, focusing on Arc, MIG & TIG welding, and other basic fabrication techniques
- Welding aluminum and stainless steel with MIG and TIG
- Plasma Arc Cutting setup and operation
- Oxy-Acetylene setup and cutting techniques
