Students using the DMU 50 five-axis mill gain hands-on experience in precision programming and advanced
setups—skills highly valued by regional aerospace employers.
Founded in 1915, Santa Ana College (SAC) has long reflected its long-standing commitment to accessible education and community development. Over more than a century, SAC has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of academic programs, university transfer degrees, career technical training, and professional development. Its rich history is intertwined with the growth and resilience of the Santa Ana community, serving as a vital resource for students seeking to improve their prospects and contribute to local economy.
Building Careers Through Hands-On Training
The college’s strategic focus on career education is particularly evident in its robust manufacturing and other technical programs. Catering to the region’s manufacturing sector and its workforce needs, SAC provides specialized training in various manufacturing fields such as machining, automotive, and welding. This emphasis on career-oriented training helps bridge the skills gap in the local economy, ensuring that students are workforce-ready and that local businesses have access to skilled labor. Its campus hosts state-of-the-art laboratories and training centers designed to prepare students for real-world manufacturing environments, emphasizing hands-on experience. One such program is the Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Automation program is led by department chair Professor Nick Singh.
“We’ve got something very special here” says Singh. “When I started teaching at SAC in 1994, there was only a lathe and one CNC mill here. My background in high-value, tight-tolerance, complex aerospace work shaped the program you see now. I’ve built a team of professors with different backgrounds, different strengths, but all with the same goal: quickly, efficiently, and practically getting students ready for a career in CNC manufacturing or inspection.”
Technology That Mirrors Industry
The program’s classrooms are equipped with the latest Mastercam, Esprit Edge, SolidWorks, CATIA, Verisurf, and PC-DMIS software. Their Quality Control Lab features two dozen Romer arms, hundreds of gauges, and a Hexagon CMM.
Its machine shop is one of the most advanced you will see at any learning institution. Beginning students start off on conventional mills and lathes, which are well represented by a great blend of brands: 13 Acer E-Mill knee mills and 14 lathes by Lagun, Eisen, Acer, Clausing Colchester, Victor, YAM, and Whacheon. Then the students advance to 7 CNC mills and 5 CNC lathes, mastering both setup and programming.
“Our program stands out because we’re not limited to one manufacturer,” explains Professor Alex Zonin, the department’s Strategic Planner. “While we collaborate with Haas, we also train students on Doosan and DMG Mori Seiki machines so they gain broader experience with multiple industrial controls.”
Highlights include a DMG Mori Seiki DMU 50 5-axis mill and a Haas EC-300 horizontal, complemented by a Doosan Lynx 220LSYA twin-spindle lathe with live tooling and Y + C axes.
“In the advanced part of our program, students train on industry-standard equipment that prepares them for the local workforce,” details Nick. “For example, we use the DMU 50 5-axis milling machine in instruction — the same machine widely utilized by local aerospace companies. Students gain hands-on experience in complex multi-axis machining, precision toolpath programming, and advanced part setup, making them immediately valuable to regional aerospace employers.”
“By mastering mill-turn and multi-part setups,” adds Zonin, “our graduates align perfectly with industry expectations..”
Quality Control and Inspection Certificate: 9 courses, 26 units. The lab features 24 Romer arms and a Hexagon 4.5.4 SF CMM,
providing hands-on metrology training.
A Rare Focus on Quality Control
SAC also offers one of the few hands-on Quality Control and Inspection certificates in California community colleges. Created by Professor Joshua Bedwell a decade ago, the program now includes nine courses totaling 26 units.
“Most places teach inspection theory without letting you touch parts,” says Bedwell. “When I walked through the door Nick was already talking to Hexagon about incorporating PC-DMIS into the curriculum, so with my background in inspection I spearheaded that implementation. I took all the classes I could at other schools, through manufacturers, and outside resources like ASQ. I custom tailored a combination of factory training materials and my own, making it school relevant. Classes are on a three-semester rotation, over one year worth of courses. I teach the two entry-level Intro Inspection and PC-DMIS classes, two advanced Inspection and PC-DMIS classes, and two Verisurf and Metallurgy classes. Our quality lab houses 24 Romer arms and a Hexagon 4.5.4 SF CMM. Students learn with a hands-on approach and when they earn their certificate, they are ready to work from day one.”
Through this focused training, Nick and his team ensure that graduates are not only familiar with cutting-edge technology but also confident in applying it to solve real-world manufacturing challenges. This makes their students highly sought after in aerospace, automotive, medical device, and other manufacturing industries.
“We are not just teaching students programming and machining,” continues Professor Michael Buechler. “We are giving them a foundation of manufacturing that includes setup and process optimization, blueprint reading, math, GD&T, metrology, troubleshooting and problem-solving, how to integrate technology and transitioning them into a production mindset. When they leave here, they are ready to work with real teams in a production environment.”
From Left to Right – Jason Rios, Joshua Bedwell, Thomas Bright, Xochitl Swenson, Dr. Jeffrey Lamb, Michael Buechler, Matt Valerius, Melissa Felter, Nick Singh, and Alex Zonin—receiving a $12,000 Gene Haas foundation grant for student scholarships.
Partnering With Industry — and Putting Grants to Work
Running a successful CTE program requires more than technical expertise; it demands strong partnerships. SAC’s faculty runs an active industry advisory board that helps shape curriculum, recommends technology, and validates the program’s alignment with workforce needs.
“When local companies asked us to reintroduce CATIA and add Esprit Edge, we listened, ” says Zonin. “New curriculum takes about a year to implement; we introduce it by October, it’s approved in the spring, and we can teach it in the fall. Any new curriculum must also be tied to a certificate or a degree, meaning it can’t be a standalone class. This requires a program review, which is a lengthy process, but it ensures accountability for public funds and state approval.” “We, the faculty, understand industry needs, run the advisory board, decide on necessary software or technology, apply for grants, secure them, then get the machines and software installed,” continues Buechler.
Over the past two years, the department has secured more than $325,000 in external grants funding. Acting Dean Matt Valerius credits collaboration across faculty and administration:
“The Advanced Manufacturing Technology program is a high priority that we are eager to grow,” Valerius says. “Santa Ana is the heart of OC manufacturing and there are a lot of good paying jobs out there for our graduates. Students come here and can get trained very quickly on high quality machining centers. With these grants we are using a lot of the money to replace older machines that are nearing the end of life.”
“Every time I walk in, I hear we just need one new machine,” chuckles Dr. Jeffrey Lamb, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “But seriously they are always adding new equipment. This school year alone they have three new lathes being installed.”
The dean touts how scrappy the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program is when it comes to finding money:
Left – Professor Singh readies the Haas EC-300 horizontal mill awaiting the advanced students in the MNFG 195 class.
Right – Professor Zonin will teach CATIA later in the day to 24 students after industry feedback led to its reintroduction.
“These guys are on it,” explains Valerius. “They’ve taken an initiative and applied for external funding through organizations like the Orange County Community Foundation. I assisted them in obtaining a planning grant from OCCF two years ago. This year they returned to OCCF and applied for a larger implementation grant, which was $250,000. We can go back to the foundation a total of three times which could get this this program an influx of nearly a million dollars. They also just received a $12,000 check from the Gene Haas foundation for student scholarships. It will be used to support students going through the program, might be a financial difficulty, assistance with books, tools, things like that.”
“I think grants like this underscore another really critical component to Santa Ana College and community colleges broadly,” adds Dr. Lamb. “We accept 100% percent of all our applicants. Everybody that comes to us gets in and is welcome. Some of them could use a little boost while here, but once they complete their AS or certificate, they now have the skills to build a career.”
Putting all that grant money to good use is no easy task. With so many options, SAC relies heavily on the advisory board and their real-world needs.
“Automation is on the top of everyone’s list,” explains Singh. “Be it 5-axis machining, pallet pools, or robotics, companies want to hire people with experience. We are utilizing the grant money to not only replace older machines but also stepping up our automation game.”
“This year we have the new Haas ST-10 and ST-15Y CNC lathes coming in,” adds Zonin. “The ST-15Y is a big-bore lathe with Y axis and an automation HC10 cobot. Students will gain proficiency working directly with a fully automated production style turning setup.”
Also in the pipeline are two Haas VF-2SS mills (Summer 2026) and a horizontal twin-pallet machining center (2027). If the grant money continues to roll in, expect to see a wire EDM and Swiss turning added as well.
SAC’s ongoing commitment to specialized career education programs, makes it a vital institution dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening the economic fabric of the community. Through its dedicated focus on practical, career-based education, Santa Ana College continues to be a pivotal educational and economic resource for the surrounding area, and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program leads the way.
The Advanced Manufacturing Technology department offers the following associate degrees and certificates:
• CNC Mastercam Programmer A.S. degree / Certificate
• Conventional Machining A.S. degree / Certificate
• CNC Machining Set-up & Operation A.S. degree / Certificate
• CNC Lathe Set-up & Operation A.S. degree / Certificate
• CNC Mill Set-up & Operation A.S. degree / Certificate
• Quality Control & Inspection Certificate
• SolidWorks 3D Solid Modeling Certificate