Carrying out CNC machine tool programming

​

This standard identifies the competences you need to produce, load and prove machine tool programs on Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to produce the component program, using manual data input or by use of a remote computer, saving the prepared program on a range of media devices or by downloading it into the machine controller from a computer. You will need to check the program using single block run and program edit facilities. You will also be required to adjust the machine tool equipment and program, following proving/editing procedures, to achieve component specification. You must ensure that any edited programs are saved safely and correctly.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for producing, loading and proving the programs, and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying the machine tool programming procedures used. You will understand the CNC machine tools used in the process, and their application, and will know about the programming, editing and proving process, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring the machine controller is set up to produce the components to the required specification.

You will understand the safety precautions required when working on the machine and its associated tools and equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.

Setting workholding devices and tooling is the subject of other standards.

---

​

1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
2. use the correct control program and ensure it is correctly loaded into the machine controller
3. follow the correct procedures for calling up the program and dealing with any error messages or faults
4. confirm program integrity
5. adjust the equipment and program operating parameters to optimise the outcomes to be achieved
6. prepare, load and prove all associated equipment
7. check that all safety mechanisms are in place and that the equipment is set correctly for the required operations
8. complete the required production documentation
9. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved

---

​

1. how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
2. how to start and stop the machine in normal and emergency situations
3. the importance of wearing the appropriate protective clothing (PPE) and equipment, and of keeping the work area clean and tidy
4. the computer coding language used in CNC programs with regard to machine axes, positional information, machine management and auxiliary functions
5. how to extract and use information from engineering drawings or data and related specifications (to include symbols and conventions to appropriate standards) in relation to work undertaken
6. how to interpret first and third angle drawings, imperial and metric systems of measurement, and system of tolerancing
7. how to interpret CNC drawings, and the use of workpiece zero/reference points
8. the systems of measurement used on CNC drawings, including absolute and incremental
9. the use of repetitive programs and canned cycles, to reduce program size and input time
10. how to prepare part programs, using operational sequences and machining techniques which avoid unnecessary tool/cutter movements or tool changes
11. the function keys and operating system of the machine computer control system being operated
12. how to set machine datums for each of the machine axes being used
13. how to set the machine controller in the program and editing mode, and enter or download the prepared program
14. how to deal with error messages and faults on the program or equipment
15. how to access the program edit facility, in order to enter tooling data such as tool datums, positions, lengths, offsets and radius compensation
16. the use of tool posts, magazines and carousels, and how to identify the tools in relationship to the operating program
17. how to conduct trial runs, using single block run, dry run and feed and speed override controls
18. why you would conduct a full dry run and single block run
19. factors which will affect the feeds and speeds that can be used, and why they may need to be adjusted from the program setting
20. the items that you need to check before allowing the machine to operate in full program run mode
21. how to save the programs in the appropriate format, and the importance of storing programs and storage devices safely and correctly, away from contaminants and possible corruption
22. the methods and procedures used to minimise the chances of infecting a computer with a virus
23. the implications if the computer you are using does become infected with a virus and who to contact if it does occur
24. typical problems that can occur with the programming, loading and editing activities, and what to do if they occur
25. the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve

---

---

​

1. Carry out all of the following during the programming activities:
   1. obtain and use the appropriate documentation
   2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
   3. use the appropriate reference manuals and programming codes to suit the machine controller
   4. follow safe practice/approved programming procedures at all times
   5. prepare the machine controller ready to accept the operating program
   6. input/load the prepared program into the controller safely and correctly
   7. store programs safely and correctly in the appropriate format and away from contaminants or possible corruption sources
   8. leave the work area and machine in a safe and appropriate condition on completion of the activities
2. Prepare, load and prove programs for one of the following types of CNC machine tool:
   1. two axis machine
   2. multiple axis machines (5 or more)
   3. three axis machine
   4. machining centres
3. Produce CNC programs using one of the following methods:
   1. written
   2. entered directly into the machine controller
   3. using computer software
4. Develop part programs which contain all of the following, as applicable to the machine type:
   1. all necessary positional information
   2. appropriate letter address codes
   3. preparatory commands and machine management/auxiliary functions
   4. repetitive programs (sub-routines, canned cycles, labels)
   5. absolute or incremental systems of measurement
   6. tool/cutter change positions
   7. tool information (lengths, offsets, radius compensation, wire size)
5. Prove the part program using six of the following:
   1. single block run
   2. full dry run
   3. program save/store facilities
   4. graphic displays
   5. search facilities
   6. edit facilities
   7. program override controls (speed, feed, tool data)
   8. data input facilities
6. Confirm that the machine and program operates safely and correctly, by checking all of the following:
   1. all operations are carried out to the program co-ordinates
   2. tool change positions are safe and clear of the workpiece and machine equipment
   3. the correct tools are selected at the appropriate points in the program
   4. tool cutter paths are executed safely and correctly
   5. auxiliary functions operate at the correct point in the program (cutter start/stop, coolant flow)
   6. programs have been saved in the appropriate format

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

3

---

31 Mar 2028

---

Current

---

Original

---

Enginuity

---

SEMMME3031

---

Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Engineering Technicians

---

3113

---

Engineering; manufacturing; mechanical; CNC program; loading; proving; inputting data; saving; downloading; editing

---