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Career Details :: Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers

Description

Develop programs to control machining or processing of parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

• Sorts shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup.
• Analyzes drawings, specifications, printed circuit board pattern film, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
• Reviews shop orders to determine job specifications and requirements.
• Revises numerical control machine tape programs to eliminate instruction errors and omissions.
• Loads and unloads disks or tapes and observes operation of machine on trial run to test taped or programmed instructions.
• Determines reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations and computes angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.
• Compares encoded tape or computer printout with original program sheet to verify accuracy of instructions.
• Depresses pedal or button of programmer to enter coordinates of each hole location into program memory.
• Moves reference table to align pattern film over circuit board holes with reference marks on enlarger scope.
• Prepares geometric layout from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper.
• Writes instruction sheets, cutter lists, and machine instructions programs to guide setup and encode numerical control tape.
• Enters computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs to transfer data to other media.
• Aligns and secures pattern film on reference table of optical programmer and observes enlarger scope view of printed circuit board.
• Draws machine-tool paths on pattern film, using colored markers and following guidelines for tool speed and efficiency.

Related Careers

• Computer Security Specialists
  
• Data Processing Equipment Repairers
  
• Mathematical Technicians
  
• Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
  
• Numerical Control Machine Tool Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
  

Important Abilities

• Information Ordering
• Number Facility
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Near Vision

General Work Activities

• Analyzing Data or Information
• Drafting & Specifying Technical Devices, etc.
• Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Important Skills

• Mathematics
  
• Information Organization
  
• Operations Analysis
  
• Programming
  
• Product Inspection
  

Frequent Work Context

• Degree of Automation
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
• Consequence of Error
• Indoors
• Frustrating Circumstances

Related Majors

Major	Add to XapPack
Accounting/Information Systems	[ add ]
Accounting/Management Information Systems	[ add ]
Administrative Data Processing	[ add ]
Administrative Information Systems	[ add ]
Business Computer Information Systems	[ add ]
Business Computer Programming	[ add ]
Business Computer Systems	[ add ]
Business Data Processing	[ add ]
Business Data Programming	[ add ]
Business Information Systems	[ add ]
Computer Information Systems Management	[ add ]
Computer Information/Systems Management	[ add ]
Computer Management/Data Processing	[ add ]
Computer Network Systems	[ add ]
Computer Processing	[ add ]
Computer Programming	[ add ]
Computer Systems Management	[ add ]
Computer-Based Business Majors	[ add ]
Computer/Information Management	[ add ]
Computers/Programming	[ add ]
Data Management	[ add ]
Economics/Systems Analysis	[ add ]
Information Management	[ add ]
Information Resources Management	[ add ]
Information Services Management	[ add ]
Information Systems Analysis/Development	[ add ]
Information Systems Management	[ add ]
Information/Operations Management	[ add ]
Management Computer Information Systems	[ add ]
Management Information Science	[ add ]
Management Information Systems	[ add ]
Management Information Systems/Business Data Processing	[ add ]
Management of Information Systems	[ add ]
Management of Information Technology	[ add ]
Management of Technology/Operations	[ add ]
Management Science/Information Systems	[ add ]
Management Systems	[ add ]
Management/Information Systems	[ add ]
Office Information Systems	[ add ]
Office Systems	[ add ]
Software Systems	[ add ]
Systems Management	[ add ]

Institutions Offering Related Majors

No institutions found.