Whether you’re considering a CNC Machinist career or already working as one in the industry and just looking to climb the ladder of success; either way, the best qualities of a professional CNC Machinist are what you need to succeed. Besides, if you’re reading this chances are you’re already a perfectionist because if you weren’t, you wouldn’t be putting yourself in a position to be responsible for producing extremely tight tolerance results.
CNC machines are as diverse as the individuals that operate and maintain them. So what is it that these people all have in common that makes them a quality professional? The simple answer is, a professional machinist comprehends the challenges of CNC machining and embraces those challenges with a deep and passionate eagerness. But that may not be the most practical answer.
Top 3 Skills a CNC Machinist Needs
Starting at the top of the list, let’s dissect what a high-quality CNC machinist should already have under their tool belt before moving ahead. Overall, these are the three areas where a professional will succeed in when it comes to CNC operations:
Mechanical
It comes down to more than just understanding of measurements and angles to be a pro. Pure comprehension of what is happening with a CNC machine is a fundamental skill for any CNC machinist, regardless of whether they control a CNC lathe, mill or even a 3-axis or 6-axis CNC machine.
Analytical
If you desire to go far as a professional you need to have the ability to fully comprehend the objective, the method, and the machine that will achieve the goal. Perfect curves, straight lines and other specific workpieces that meet specifications won’t happen on their own; it takes careful human interaction to support the process.
Problem-solving
On the first or second attempt you might get a way with solving the problem but chances are it’ll take some consistent trial and error to get it right. Getting from Point A to Point B takes the ability to see the process and eliminate any flaws that might prevent success.
Being Present While Machining
Your attentiveness is extremely important when it comes to professional CNC operations. There’s no room for distractions. You’ve got to be present; carefully watching, listening, and understanding what is happening so if anything goes wrong, you can deploy the appropriate corrections. It doesn’t matter if your CNC machine is on a production floor or in a home shop, your presence and the ability to adapt to situations are always a requirement. Complete satisfaction to a true professional is nothing less than a perfect output, which means being engaged throughout the process until the finishing line, no matter how much time it takes.
Advanced Technical Knowledge
The educational prerequisites for a CNC machinist are fairly simple and reasonable. A high school diploma is a good start, along with at least a couple of years of shop experience working with or around CNC equipment. Understanding and having experience with CAD/CAM software or Design and Build applications is a bonus. Additionally, a background in computer programming or application integration is a real game-changer as well. The truth is – the more time spent in production environments utilizing machinery like CNC equipment is going to go a long way toward determining your compatibility, comprehension, and capability toward becoming a professional CNC machinist.
If you feel like you have what it takes to become a quality CNC Machinist at Epic Tool Inc, please visit our careers page.
