MAY 2004 The National Institute for Metalworking Skills
1
National Competency Based Apprenticeship System for the Metalworking Industry
CORE COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
Occupational Title: CNC Specialist - Turning
D.O.T. Code:

000.000-000
CORE COMPETENCIES FOR CNC SPECIALIST - TURNING
NIMS
CREDENTIAL
1. Job Process Planning
Duty:
Develop a process plan for a part requiring milling, drilling, turning, or
grinding. Fill out an operation sheet detailing the process plan and required
speeds and feeds.
Performance Standard:
Given a print detailing a part requiring milling, drilling, turning, and
grinding, verbal instructions, and appropriate references, formulate a set of
strategies to manufacture the part and fill out an operation sheet reflecting
the chosen strategies including the required speeds and feeds.
Identify all major components and functions of the machine tools, and all
major hand tools, measuring tools, tools and fixtures, work materials and
provide the rationale for the speeds and feeds selected.

Machining
Level I
Job Planning,
Benchwork, and
Layout
2. Manual Operations: Benchwork
Duty:
Using aluminum or mild steel, hand drill and hand tap holes. Use hand
drills, hand taps, tap wrench, files, scrapers, and coated abrasives to deburr
parts. Use arbor presses to perform press fits. Use bench vises and hand
tools appropriately.
Performance Standard:
Given a process plan, blueprint, access to hand tools, produce a part with
two holes prepared for hand tapping, a hole prepared (reamed) for the press
fit of a bushing, and a stud for one of the tapped holes. Deburr the part,
hand drill and hand tap the holes, press in the bushing, and install the stud.
Machining
Level I
Job Planning,
Benchwork, and
Layout
3. Turning

Operations
:

Turning

Between

Centers
Duty ( Level I ):
Setup and carry out between centers turning operations for straight turning.
Performance Standard ( Level I ):
Given raw material, process plan, part print, hand, precision, and cutting
tools, as well as access to an appropriate turning machine and its
accessories, produce a part matching the process plan and the part print
specifications using appropriate trade techniques and speeds and feeds. The
part specified should have at least three diameters within +/-.002, one UNC
external thread , one UNF external thread, and require an end-for-end swap.

Machining
Levels I & II
Turning
Operations:
Turning
Between Centers 4th of MAY 2004 The National Institute for Metalworking Skills
2
CORE COMPETENCIES FOR CNC SPECIALIST - TURNING
NIMS
CREDENTIAL
Turning

Operations
:

Turning

Between

Centers ( CONTINUED )
Duty ( Level II ):
Set up and perform between centers turning for straight and tapered turning
by offsetting the tailstock.
Performance Standard ( Level II ):
Given raw material, process plan, part print, hand, precision, and cutting
tools, as well as access to an appropriate turning machine and its
accessories, produce a part matching the process plan and the part print
specifications using appropriate trade techniques and speeds and feeds. The
part specified should have at least two straight diameters within +/-.001, an
appropriate taper at each end of the part, and require a reversal of the part
end for end.


4. Turning Operations: Chucking
Duty ( Level I ):
Setup and carry out chucking operations for turning.
Performance Standard ( Level I ):
Given raw material, process plan, part print, hand, precision, and cutting
tools, as well as access to an appropriate turning machine and its
accessories, produce a part matching the process plan and the print
specifications using appropriate trade techniques and speeds and feeds. The
part specified should have at least three diameters within +/-.005", two
bores within +/-.005", one UNC external thread, and require at least two
chuckings or other workholding setup.
Duty ( Level II ):
Set up and perform tapered boring and turning using a taper attachment.
Performance Standard ( Level II ):
Given raw material, process plan, part print, hand, precision, and cutting
tools, as well as access to an appropriate turning machine with a taper
attachment and its accessories, produce a part matching the process plan
and the part print specifications using appropriate trade techniques and
speeds and feeds. The part specified should have at least two diameters
within +/-.002", one bore within +/-.002", one external and one internal
taper, and require at least two chuckings or other workholding setup.
Machining
Levels I & II
Turning
Operations:
Turning
Chucking Skills
5. Drilling Operations
Duty ( Level I ):
Setup and operate machine tools to perform routine drilling operations.
Performance Standard ( Level I ):
Given a semi-finished part, process plan, part print, hand precision, and
cutting tools,

as well as access to a drill press and its accessories,

produce
a part matching

the process plan and

the blueprint

specifications. The part
Machining
Levels I & II
Drill Press Skills 4th of MAY 2004 The National Institute for Metalworking Skills
3
CORE COMPETENCIES FOR CNC SPECIALIST - TURNING
NIMS
CREDENTIAL
Drilling Operations ( CONTINUED )
specified will be in the semi-finished state having been squared up and the
outer surfaces completed with five center-drilled locations. Finishing the
part will require the finishing of the five center-drilled locations. Each hole
must have at least two secondary operations. The secondary operations will
consist of reaming, spot facing, countersinking, counterboring, and
counterdrilling. At least one hole must be a blind hole and one a through
hole. At least one hole will may be power tapped.


6. CNC Programming
Duty:
Using the principles of cartesian coordinates develop a program for the
manufacture of a simple part.
Performance Standard:
Given a computer and a basic CNC software program, and a blueprint for
part comparison. Apply the principles of three-dimensional coordinate
planes in the development a simple program for the production of the part
on a CNC milling machine.
Machining
Level I
CNC Skills
7. CNC: Write Simple CNC Program and Review Tool Path
Duty:
Using a computer and editor software write simple CNC programs using M
and G codes from the Machinerys Handbook. Simple programs are single
plane, cutter centerline, linear and circular interpolation, single cutter, with
no canned cycles as specified on the print.
Performance Standard:
Given a part print with the tool path shown, and computer with editor
software, write a program, including speeds and feeds, to drive an endmill
through a continuous path around three sides of a part requiring the
development of a linear interpolation tool path as well as circular
interpolation. Store the program on computer media.


8. CNC: Operate a CNC Lathe
Duty:
Operate a CNC lathe.
Performance Standard:
Given a CNC lathe create a qualified CNC Program, setup and operate the
lathe, change tool values as necessary, replace and qualify tooling as
necessary.


9. Machine Power Tapping:

Taper Reaming and Pipe Tapping
Duty:
Set up and perform taper reaming and / or pipe tapping.
Performance Standard:
Set up, drill, taper ream, and tap a series of holes to part print specification.

4th of MAY 2004 The National Institute for Metalworking Skills
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CORE COMPETENCIES FOR CNC SPECIALIST - TURNING
NIMS
CREDENTIAL
10. Part Inspection
Duty:
Develop an inspection plan and inspect simple parts using precision tools
and techniques. Complete reports on the compliance of the parts.
Performance Standard:
Given the necessary job process sheets for a part and verbal instructions,
identify and select the required measuring instruments and conduct the
required inspection procedure(s). Complete required written inspection
report and make a decision to accept or reject component parts. Provide
brief verbal explanation of inspection procedures, results, and decisions.
Machining
Level I
Measurement,
Materials, and
Safety
11. Machine Operations and Material Handling
Duty:
Carry out assigned responsibilities while adhering to safe practices in
accordance with OSHA requirements and guidelines. Document safety
activities as required.
Performance Standard:
Given written and verbal safety instructions and checklists based on OSHA
requirements and guidelines, demonstrate safe workplace practices in
material handling, machine operations, handling of tooling, handling and
application of coolants, cutting fluids and lubricants. Orally explain the
actions taken which directly or indirectly bear upon safe practice in the
execution of assigned duties.
Machining
Level I
Measurement,
Materials, and
Safety
12. Hazardous Materials Handling and Storage,

including EPA,
Hazmat, and OSHA
Duty:
Handle and store hazardous materials as assigned while adhering to safe
practices in accordance with OSHA and EPA requirements and guidelines.
Document safety activities as required.
Performance Standard:
Given written and verbal safety instructions detailing the handling and
storage of hazardous materials in compliance with OSHA and EPA
requirements and guidelines, demonstrate safe workplace practices in the
identification, handling, and storage of hazardous materials.

Machining
Level I
Measurement,
Materials, a