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of programming for CNC machining.
“I love the way Mastercam works with SOLIDWORKS®
CAD software,” says Gutierrez. “In the first year, students learn how to design an easy project with SOLIDWORKS and then how to download the design to Mastercam to program the tool paths. They learn how to program basic tool paths for contours and pockets and how to set up a part the correct way, according to Mastercam. In the second year, they get into Mastercam’s High Speed Machining. They are soon also learning how to ‘trick’ the machine, how to cut different arcs in different planes. In the third year they are learning how to program in four axes for the CNC mill. Next, they will be learning how to program up to four axes for the CNC lathe and in five axes for the CNC mill.” Although the CAM lessons are in Mastercam, all the basic projects are determined by NIMS. The students earn NIMS proficiency certification in various operations as they advance in the program. “Mastercam, SOLIDWORKS, and NIMS are the three basic ingredients for the success of this program,” says Gutierrez.
“In addition to all the help our program has received from member companies in the Southern Arizona Manufacturing Partners,” he says, “Keith Butzgy, Mastercam’s corporate training manager, and David Morgan, senior advisor at NIMS, have always been available to help me as our program expands to cover a wide range of projects for our CNC machines. Because
of the faith in our program by our principle, our CTE (Career and Technical Education) coordinator, and by our district, we have been funded with nearly two million dollars for equipment that includes seven CNC mills, four CNC lathes, twelve 3D printers, a coordinate measuring machine, and forty seats of Mastercam in our CAD/CAM lab, as well as more than a dozen manual machines. A great deal of the tooling for the machines, and literally tons of materials for student projects, come from the generous donations of the Partnership members.”
Because the older students have become so skilled, the school has established a contract business with many of the Partner businesses. These companies assign contracts to Desert View’s Precision Manufacturing department, much as they would do business with any contract machining shop. “The students earn money to cover the expenses of the field trips we take to colleges, universities and manufacturing companies all over the country,” says Gutierrez. “Some of the part runs are in the hundreds, a few even in the thousands. We have even delivered assemblies after machining the parts on our CNC mills and lathes and then joining them with our shop’s press.”
The school has now begun an internship program that provides seniors with a paycheck for work they contract. “It’s run as an actual business,” says Gutierrez. “They have to become involved in sales in order to get the business from outside sources. They also have to handle invoicing and keep the books. By having a hands-on approach to
Desert View student Kadence Moore.
38 www.CNC-West.com CNC WEST October/November 2020