Machinist A Guide to Course Content Machinists work with metals; operate metal-cutting and shaping machinery. Training Requirements: To graduate from each level of the apprenticeship program, an apprentice must successfully complete the required technical training and compile enough on-the-job experience to total at least 1800 hours each year. Total trade time required is 7200 hours and at least 4 years in the trade. There are four levels of technical training delivered by Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon: Level One: 8 weeks Level Two: 8 weeks Level Three: 8 weeks Level Four: 6 weeks The information contained in this pamphlet serves as a guide for employers and apprentices. The pamphlet briefly summarizes the training delivered at each level of apprenticeship training. An apprentice spends approximately 15% of the apprenticeship term in a technical training institute learning the technical and theoretical aspects of the trade. The hours and percentages of technical and practical training may vary according to class needs and progress. The content of the technical training components is subject to change without notice. 09/14
Level One - 8 weeks Lathes identify types of turning machines, lathe tool holders and work holding devices identify lathe tooling, steady rests and follower rests perform knurling, internal turning, grooving, parting and taper turning perform cutting screw threads Milling identify types of milling machines identify work holding methods and cutting tools perform basic vertical milling machine operations Benchwork identify mechanical hardware use non cutting and metal cutting hand tools use thread cutting tools, power tools and power saws perform internal keyseating and thread restoration techniques calculate hole spacing operate presses and pullers Drilling Machines identify drilling machines and tools identify power tapping and boring operations operate drilling machines use countersinking and counterboring tools use reamers and sharpen twist drills Trade Mathematics basic mathematics imperial and metric systems basic algebra, geometry and trigonometry trade calculations Safety and Basic Shop Mechanics Describe WHMIS, Occupational Health and Safety Perform rigging and hoisting techniques Describe oxy-acetylene equipment Measurement, Materials and Cutting Fluid use measurement systems, steel rules and vernier scale instruments use semi precision and precision layout tools use micrometers, angular measuring tools, comparison measuring tools and gage blocks identify materials, non metals, and surface finish apply cutting fluids Technical Drawing and Blueprint Reading Use manual drafting instruments and dimensioning systems Demonstrate orthographic drawing skills and isometric sketching Apply tolerances, sectional and auxiliary views Locate surfaces, features and dimensions on engineering drawings
Level Two - 8 weeks Technical Drawing and Blueprint Reading use manual drafting instruments demonstrate orthographic drawing skills apply tolerances, sectional and auxiliary views find dimensional data on technical drawings use various drawing and editing commands in AutoCAD place dimensions on drawings Materials/Heat Treatment identify ferrous and non ferrous metals perform hardness testing, hardening and tempering describe annealing, normalizing and stress relieving processes Mathematics use basic algebra and trigonometry perform trade calculations Computer Numerical Control describe principles of CNC lathe programming plan a job and operate a CNC lathe manually write CNC code for roughing, finishing and threading toolpath operate simulated CNC control and operate CNC machine describe principles of CNC 3 axis mill programming plan a job for and set up CNC mill describe work coordinate system write CNC code for facing and machining circular pockets write CNC code for profiling and hole machining run CNC mill program operate simulated CNC control operate CNC mill Grinding identify grinding machines and wheels use grinding wheels identify, service and operate precision grinders Lathe Operations identify work holding devices and cutting tools discuss work support devices perform common turning operations perform taper turning and screw thread calculations cut screw threads service lathes Milling identify milling machine applications and vertical milling machine applications select speeds and feed for vertical milling machines perform setups on vertical milling machines perform vertical milling machine operations select cutting tool holders, speeds and feeds for horizontal milling machines perform setups and operations for horizontal milling machines operate indexing devices
Level Three - 8 weeks Communications explain technical writing requirements write workplace correspondence and technical descriptions Power Transmission Theory identify and measure power transmitting threads classify keyed drives apply tolerances to keys and keyseats identify straight sided splines and common shaft coupling arrangements Identify common types of clutches and gears CNC Machining describe the 2 axis coordinate grid, key tool positions, basic CNC codes, tool offsets and complex g- codes set tool offsets for CNC lathes make point sketches from a part drawing manual compensation of tool radius write part programs for CNC lathes using multiple repetitive cycles for roughing, finishing and threading Mathematics use math in machine shop applications trigonometric principles and machine shop formulae Blueprint Reading find data for machining of cast parts on engineering drawings locate surfaces, features and dimensions on engineering drawings locate machining data on detail sections and assembly drawings on engineering drawings Cutting Tool Technology discuss cutting tool geometries, materials and hole making tools identify tool failure causes discuss surface texture utilize machine horsepower Machine Tools (Theory) explain milling machine construction apply knowledge of milling cutter technology describe milling setup and operations describe principles of sound lathe setups demonstrate knowledge of screw threads and indexing calculate machining data for lathes explain and plan horizontal boring mill operations explain abrasive technology explain the construction of common precision grinding machines Machine Tools (Shop) use engine lathe, milling machine, surface grinder, tool and cutter grinder, horizontal boring mill
Level Four - 6 weeks Blueprint Reading find part shape and dimensional data on working assembly drawings use pictorial assembly drawings identify special features and adjacent parts on a drawing use print reading techniques on complex part drawings CNC 3 Axis Machining set tool and work offsets calculate coordinates construct and verify a 3-axis CNC program make parts on CNC mill Material Select / Heat Treatment discuss material properties and testing discuss tool steel properties and steel heat treatment Advanced Machine Tool (Theory) discuss dividing head operations explain bevel gear and helical milling explain common cam nomenclature discuss interference fits interpret standard fits Advanced Machine Tool (Practical) perform heat treatment operations on tool set inspect hardened tool set perform precision grinding, lathe and milling operations