CNC Machining Technology Diploma

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CNC Machining and Tool-Making
CNC Machining Technology Diploma

Launch Your Precision Manufacturing Career

Get ready for an exciting career in precision manufacturing with a CNC Machining Technology Diploma! In just one year, you'll master high-tech, computer-powered equipment to create precision parts. These skills are essential for working in modern factories.

Apply at Hawkeye Today

CNC Machining Technology Diploma at a Glance

Award

Diploma

Length of Study

1 year

Course Format

Face-to-Face

Classes Meet

Daytime

Program Start

Fall

See all CNC options at Hawkeye

Your Future in CNC Machining

Graduates find employment working in a variety of positions including:

CNC Machine Operator
CNC Mill Operator
CNC Lathe Operator
CNC Programmers
Machinist
Machine Setters, Operators

80%

Of Advanced Manufacturing Uses CNC

95%

Of Medical Device Parts Made by CNC

80%

Of Auto Parts Made by CNC

80%

Of Musical Instruments Made by CNC

Succeed at Hawkeye

Graduate Spotlight Ramail Hodzic

While at Hawkeye, Ramail Hodzic not only built up his CNC skills, but also his confidence. After graduation, he was prepared to continue his education and study manufacturing engineering.

Play Finding the right path to a career in CNC Machining and Tool-Making. Featuring Ramail Hodzic

Graduate Spotlight Ethan Oltrogge

“I love running CNC machines and just watching the way things work from start to finish. Making something from nothing is pretty big.”

Play Hitting the Ground Running with CNC Machining and Tool-Making Technology - Featuring Ethan Oltrogge

Program Overview

CNC Fundamentals
CNC Programming
Machine Operations
Machine Trade Print Reading
Advanced Machine Theory
Geometric Dimensioning Tolerancing
Computer-Aided Machining
EDM Fundamentals
Hydraulic Jigs and Fixtures

CNC Lab: Train on the latest industry equipment as you build and sharpen your skills on a wide range of CNC and production manufacturing machines.

You’ll start on manual machines to learn the fundamentals of machining. This hands-on experience helps you understand how the equipment feels and sounds, which is essential for catching problems early and developing strong troubleshooting skills. With this foundation, you’ll be better prepared and more confident as you advance to automated CNC machines.

Design with Mastercam: You will work with Mastercam, a machining software where you will learn 2D milling. You'll write the instructions to tell the machine what to do.

EDM Training: You'll get specialized training in Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), learning basic programming and running parts.

Build Project: Machining requires a way to hold parts perfectly still. You'll spend eight weeks learning to build jigs and fixtures that hold parts in place. As a final challenge, you'll work as a team to build a hydraulic fixture.

Semester 1

Basic Machine Theory
CNC Fundamentals
Introduction to CNC Programming I
Introduction to CNC Programming II
Machine Operations I
Machine Trade Printreading I

Semester 2

Advanced Machine Theory
CNC Operations
CNC Programming Theory II
Geometric Dimensioning Tolerancing
Machine Operations II
Written Communication in the Workplace or
Composition I

Semester 3 — Summer

Computer Aided Machining
EDM Fundamentals
Hydraulic Jigs and Fixtures

Explore Courses, Details, and Costs

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

You must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Last-Dollar Scholarship.

This is a partial list of employers who hire CNC graduates:

Criterion Manufacturing, Waterloo, IA
Geater Machining & Manufacturing, Co., Independence, IA
GMT Corporation, Waverly, IA
John Deere, Waterloo, IA
PEM - Power Engineering & Manufacturing, Waterloo, IA
TDS Automation, Waverly, IA
Viking Pump, Inc., Cedar Falls, IA

Explore Courses, Details, and Costs

" You get a lot more one-on-one time with your instructors at Hawkeye, and you get to develop a bond with them. Something like that is really important to me. "

Ramail Hodzic
CNC Machining & Tool-Making Technology '24

How to Get Started

It’s simple! Complete these steps:

Check the status of your application at any time by logging into your admissions account.

Program Admission Requirements

To enroll in this program, you’ll need to meet the minimum score requirements.

	ALEKS	ACCUPLACER Next Generation	ACCUPLACER Classic	COMPASS	ACT	GPA
Math	6	240 Arithmetic 241 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)	40 Arithmetic	24 Pre-Algebra	14	2.00
Literacy		228 Reading or 229 Writing	42 Reading or 42 Sentence Skills	47 Reading or 20 Writing	14 Reading or 14 English	2.00

You can take the ALEKS Placement Assessment online. If you prefer, you can take the ACCUPLACER Next Generation or ACT at Hawkeye. While ACCUPLACER Classic and COMPASS aren’t offered anymore, you can still use your scores from those tests if you took them before for program admission.

If you don’t meet the minimum score requirements, you can take success courses instead. Talk to your academic advisor to help you find the right courses to get started.

If you meet the assessment score requirements, you can be accepted into the program.

If you don't meet these requirements, you’ll be accepted into a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you’ll start by taking general education and prerequisite classes. Your academic advisor will help you make a plan to meet the program requirements. After finishing your pre-program courses, contact Admissions to let them know.