Operating CNC machines is one of the potentially most promising career development paths. Year after year, the demand for CNC specialists, operators, and programmers is increasing, which is primarily associated with almost unlimited possibilities of precise machining. CNC machines in the form of lathes, milling machines, grinders, plasma cutters, and lasers are increasingly used for mass production, as numerical control allows the manufacturing process to be automated and thus optimize its costs. What does a CNC machine operator do? How do the earnings at various operational positions look like? What skills are most valued by employers in the industry? We will try to answer all these questions in the article below.
What can a CNC machine operator do?
Operating CNC machines involves a great deal of responsibility, as the quality of execution depends on the operator's knowledge and skills. The scope of duties at CNC operator positions will of course vary depending on many factors (e.g. size of production, available technologies, qualifications of other team members etc.). In a broad simplification, this job involves operating specialized machines and their controllers, which at first glance may seem quite simple. Unfortunately, in reality it is much more complicated, as a CNC machine operator may be responsible for:
- selection of appropriate materials, tools (e.g. milling cutters, lathe knives) and semi-finished products
- mounting them and setting up machining bases
- ensuring the continuity of CNC machines operation
- controlling and monitoring the machining process
- writing CNC programs
- checking the technical condition of CNC machines
- cleaning and maintenance of CNC machines
- correcting errors to avoid non-compliance with project guidelines
- developing technology and method of processing a given element or detail
- equipping tool warehouses of machines
- preparing necessary technical documentation
The scope of duties at the positions of operators responsible for serial and mass production will of course differ from what can be encountered with individual orders. In larger companies and better qualified teams, specialists in positions such as CNC programmer or technologist will take care of some of the tasks mentioned above.
How to start a career as a CNC machine operator?
The simplest and at the same time the most popular way to start a career related to CNC machine operation is to complete a relevant course. Many candidates for the position of a CNC operator may have a specialized education, but in practice, for an employer, the knowledge of a specific system, software or machine environment is much more important. The knowledge acquired in a technical school or at university is undoubtedly an additional advantage, especially if it goes hand in hand with manual dexterity or above-average mathematical skills. Bearing in mind the potentially colossal losses resulting from sloppiness, ignorance or lack of imagination, employers looking for CNC specialists are extremely sensitive to the issue of responsibility. Both in the case of mass and unit production, shortcomings or errors cannot be afforded. In convincing future superiors, reference letters and certificates confirming the skills acquired so far can be extremely helpful.
What does a CNC programmer do?
A CNC programmer is one of the most lucrative career paths, which, unlike the work of a regular CNC turner, is mainly based on creating and modifying software. Manual writing of CNC programs is possible thanks to so-called G codes, which, with the help of predefined groups, can determine factors such as movement, plane selection, mill compensation, scaling, or tool length offset. However, most companies and individuals use much more advanced CAD programs, as they can significantly facilitate modeling, design, and preparation of appropriate technical documentation.
CNC Machine Operation - what are the salaries for various positions?
The salary ranges for various positions will of course vary depending on experience, which, as in other industries, divides candidates into junior and senior specialists. As we have already mentioned, one of the highest paying jobs is a CNC programmer, who in Poland can earn from 4 to 8 thousand zlotys. For comparison, a press brake operator earns only about 4000 zlotys, regardless of tenure. The situation is slightly better for positions such as a CNC laser operator or a CNC turner, as the median salary exceeds the threshold of 5 thousand zlotys. The highest earners in the entire industry are specialists who, thanks to many years of experience, are able to operate more types of machines (e.g. a lathe, milling machine and grinder).