On-line CNC Courses

Lesson content is quite consistent throughout each course. Once you've completed one lesson, you'll understand the structure for all of them. Here is a sample from the CNC Machining Center Programming class.

Lesson 1: Machining Configurations

As a programmer, you must understand what makes up a CNC machining center.  You must be able to identify its basic components – you must understand the moving components of the machine (called axes) – and you must know the various functions of your machine that are programmable.

To complete this lesson:

• Read file named "Lesson one text" -  You can also print this file to have a permanent reference - and if you continue to print lesson text files, you will have a manual that is over 250 pages when you complete the course.  You can also save this file to your computer's hard drive.
• View the file named "Lesson one presentation".  It is a self-paced PowerPoint file.  To move through the presentation, click the left mouse button, or press the right-arrow key.  To back up, press the left-arrow key.  You can save this file to your computer, but in order to view it locally (without being in the virtual classroom), you must have PowerPoint Viewer installed on your computer.  Download PowerPoint Viewer here.
• Print the file named "Lesson one exercise".  This is the assignment for lesson one.  You will submit your answers for grading.
• Submit your answers to the exercise for lesson one.  To do so, use a word processor or text editor (like NoteBook) to type your answers.  Be sure to include the question number for each answer.  Some questions require multiple answers, so again, be sure to clarify your answers.  If I cannot understand them, I cannot give you credit for answering correctly.  Email your answers to me.    IMPORTANT: In the subject, specify MCP Lesson one test.  I must know the class name and lesson number in order to grade your work!  In most cases, grading will be done within 24 hours.

Note: This particular lesson does not include a programming activity.

Print/read and view lesson content

There are two basic file types used to present course content. Lesson text files (including illustrations) are provided in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Visuals are provided in Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) format. 

Again, the lesson text and visuals provide you with two paralleling ways to learn the content in each lesson. We urge you to do both. While you may be able to learn enough to pass tests and complete programming assignments from the visuals (PowerPoint presentations) alone, reading the course text will, at the very least, force you to review the material at least once.

We also urge you to print (and save) all course text (.pdf) files. This will provide you with a permanent reference, even after you complete the course.

Note that you can view the visuals as many times as needed in order gain full comprehension of the subject matter. You can also save them.  We’ve included a special “presentation links slide” at the beginning of each presentation to let you review specific topics without having to view the entire presentation.

Special note: Because the PowerPoint presentations are large files (a few over 2.0 megs), and especially if you’re on a slow connection, you may want to download the related file for each lesson and save it to your computer’s hard drive so you won’t have to keep downloading it every time you want to view or review a lesson’s visuals. A 2.0 meg file will take only 20 seconds or so to download if you're on a fast connection (dsl or cable modem). But this file may take as much as 15-20 minutes to download if your computer is on a dial-up system. Note that this will also minimize your on-line time (possibly lowering phone bills). Once you've downloaded a PowerPoint presentation and saved it to your hard drive, you can view it locally from your computer (you don't have to be on-line).

Lesson exercise assignments

From the lesson instructions shown above, notice that there is an exercise to do and turn in for grading (every lesson includes one). If you have any incorrect answers, be sure to review course material to learn why. If you have a score less than 70%, expect an email from Mike offering you assistance.

Practice within the lesson text

These exercises are included in some lessons and are intended to help you practice before you do the graded assignment or programming activity. The answers are provided nearby, and we don’t grade them.

Programming activities (programming classes only)

These are also Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files that you print. Each includes full instructions for what you are supposed to do. When you’re finished, you must submit the assignment for Mike to grade. Instructions for submitting are also included within each lesson. Generally speaking, we recommend that you type them and email them. Grading is not instantaneous. Within a reasonable amount of time (usually within 24 hours), you’ll receive you’re results. Again, if you’re having any problems, expect an email from Mike. If your score is less than 70%, you’ll be asked to perform some learning activities and re-do the assignment.