All Students in the Machine Shop will be exposed to manual machining after the completion of the mandatory twenty week exploratory program.
Manual machining at the beginning of the machine program is still the best way to introduce the students to basic machining operations, work-holding fundamentals, and give an understanding of the cutting process. This allows the student to develop this understanding as a prerequisite to CNC (Computer Numerical Control) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) programming and machining. After this introduction, the machine program makes the transition to CNC programming and machining using all the fundamental machining skills learned in the manual-machining phase.
The Machine Technologies CNC/CAM students will spend their remaining instructional time learning advanced metal machining skills and concepts. With the use of a state of the art CAM lab the students will work with advanced CAM systems to create part programs for CNC machines.
Since a machinist's main job function is to set-up and operate machines that shape metal and other materials into precision parts, the principle goal of the Machine Technologies program at Pathfinder is to provide the resources that students need to stimulate their mental capabilities. These abilities are developed in the students by providing instruction and experiences in designing, modeling, computer testing, trouble shooting, observing, analyzing outcomes, investigating problems and finally machining precision parts.
The transition from manual phase to the CNC/CAM phase is all based on each individual's ability and competencies. Individual instruction is the hallmark of this program: therefore, each student has the potential to be a productive machinist upon graduation.
The teachings in the measurement segment of the shop course include, but are not restricted to the following tools:
- Micrometers
- Height Gages
- Gage Blocks
- Indicators
- Small Hole Gages
- Telescoping Gages
- Radius Gages
- Surface Gages
- Center Gages
- Scales
- Calipers
- Combination Square Set
- Surface Plates
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Bench & Floor Work
Sawing
- Hand Saw
- Power Saw
- Band Saw
- Sawing Contours
Threading
Layout
- Basic Tools
- Centering
- Hole Layout
- Irregular Shapes
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Filing
Assembly
- Steel Stamping
- Transfer Locating
- Simple Assembly
General Shop Functions
- Tool Crib Attending
- Stock Room
- Inspection Area
- Lubricating
- Power Tools
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Engine Lathe
Tool Grinding
- Facing
- Turning
- Threading
- Grooving
- Form
- Boring
- Carbide
Holding Methods
 Lathe Centers
- Full Center
- Live Center
- Three Jaw Chuck
- Four Jaw Chuck
- Steady Rest
Threading
- Tap Method
- Die Method
- Single Point Method
- Internal
- External
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Operation
- Facing Between Centers
- Center Drilling
- Parallel Turning
- Filing
- Polishing
- Undercutting
- Knurling
- Feeds and Speeds
- Grooving
Aligning Centers
- Tailstock Adjustment
- Straight Cut Method
- Trial Cut Method
- Indicator Method
Boring
- Straight Holes
- Blind Holes
- Taper Holes
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Milling Machine
Holding Methods
- Vise
- Strap Downs
- Fixture Set-ups
- Align Head
- Align Vise
- Edge Pickup
- Digital Readouts
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Operations
- Mill Sides
- Mill Ends
- Radius Milling
- Angular Milling
- Counter Sinking
- Slots
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Surface Grinding
Wheel Preparations
- Wheel Mounting
- Ring Test
- Wheel Care and Safety
- Truing
- Dressing
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Grinding Operations
- Magnetic Chuck
- 'V' Block
- Angle Plate
- Vise
- Sine Plate
- Compound Angles
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CNC Milling
Set Up
- Datum Pick-up
- Edge Pick-up
- Program Setting
- Tool Setting
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Operations
- CNC Program
- Modifications
- Speeds and Feeds
- Part Preparation
- Computer Control
- Preparation
- Inspection
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CNC Lathe
Set Up
- Edge Pick-up
- Program Settings
- Tool Setting
Holding Methods
- 3 Jaw Chuck
- Lathe Centers
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Operations
- Program Modifications
- Speeds and Feeds
- Part Preparation
- Computer Control Preparation
- Inspection
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Computer Aided Manufacturing
CAM 1
- Basic CAM Operations
- Cutting Tools
- Creating Part Profiles
- Edit Part Files
- Edit Tool Paths
- Roughing, Drilling, and Counterboring
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CAM2
- Create & Edit Part Profiles
- Advanced Part Profile Editing
- Edit Tool Paths
- Perform Drilling and Counterboring
- Perform CAD/CAM Integration
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CNC Programming
- Cartesian Coordinates
- G & M Machine Codes
- Program Formats
- Explanation of Canned Cycles
- Use of Sub-Routines
- Programming with Cutter Compensation
- Practice Simple Part Programs
- Troubleshooting on Benchtop CNC
- Downloading DNC vs. Disk
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Projects
Annual Car Race
Below are images from the Annual Machine Shop Car Races. This is a 2 week long project done before Christmas where Machine Shop students design and race their own miniature cars. The cars are all judged and 3 top winners are chosen. The race is decided by the fastest car. The winners of the competition are awarded tools.
Project Board
Roll over a project or tool below to learn its name.
