Lesson 1Spindle: types, speed/torque charts, bearings, thermal growth and runout effectsDetails spindle construction and behaviour, including belt, direct, and integral motor types, speed and torque curves, bearing arrangements, thermal growth, runout, and their combined impact on accuracy and tool life.
Belt-driven vs direct and motor spindlesReading spindle speed and torque chartsSpindle bearing types and preload effectsThermal growth, warm-up, and offsetsRunout checks and impact on tool lifeLesson 2Automatic tool changer (ATC): magazine types, tool clamping systems, change sequence and common failure modesCovers automatic tool changer construction and operation, including magazine styles, tool holders and clamping, tool change sequence, sensors, and typical mechanical or pneumatic failures that affect reliability and safety.
Carousel vs chain and drum magazinesTool holder tapers and pull stud designTool clamp, unclamp, and drawbar checksTool change sequence and interlocksCommon ATC jams and fault diagnosisLesson 3Control systems: FANUC/Siemens/Heidenhain basics, program storage, I/O, alarms, MDI and edit modesIntroduces FANUC, Siemens, and Heidenhain CNC basics, including interface layout, program storage options, I/O mapping, alarm handling, and safe use of MDI and edit modes for setup, testing, and maintenance tasks.
FANUC, Siemens, Heidenhain interface overviewProgram storage, backup, and recall methodsDigital and analog I/O signals on the CNCAlarm categories, diagnostics, and reset stepsSafe use of MDI, edit, and lock modesLesson 4Selecting a realistic 3-axis machining centre model and locating manufacturer datasheetsGuides selection of a realistic 3-axis machining centre model for training or production, using envelope, spindle, ATC, and power needs, and shows how to locate, read, and compare OEM catalogues and technical datasheets.
Defining part size and accuracy requirementsEvaluating travels, table size, and payloadComparing spindle power, speed, and taperAssessing ATC capacity and tool interfaceFinding and interpreting OEM datasheetsLesson 5Kinematics: X, Y, Z axes, travel limits, ball screws, linear guides, backlash considerationsExplores 3-axis kinematics, including X, Y, Z travels, reference positions, ball screws, linear guides, and backlash. Emphasizes how wear, misalignment, and limit settings affect positioning accuracy and repeatability.
Axis naming, travels, and home positionsSoft limits, hard limits, and overtravelBall screw design, pitch, and supportLinear guideways and lubrication needsBacklash sources, checks, and compensationLesson 6Coolant system: pump types, filtration, coolant selection, concentration and contamination sourcesExplains coolant system components and operation, including pump types, tank layout, filtration methods, coolant selection, concentration control, and common contamination sources that reduce tool life and surface finish.
Centrifugal and high-pressure pump typesTank layout, return flow, and agitationFilter screens, bags, and separator unitsCoolant selection and concentration testsContamination sources and corrective stepsLesson 7Lubrication system: centralized vs manual, lubricant types, schedules, common failure symptomsExplains centralized and manual lubrication on 3-axis machining centres, lubricant types for ways, ball screws, and spindles, how to read lube schedules, verify delivery, and recognize early symptoms of lubrication failure.
Centralized vs manual lubrication layoutsWay, spindle, and ball screw lubricant typesReading OEM lubrication charts and intervalsChecking metering units and lube deliveryCommon lubrication failure symptomsLesson 8Auxiliary systems: chip conveyors, door interlocks, coolant nozzles, coolant nozzles, mist extraction and compressed air requirementsDescribes auxiliary systems that support safe CNC operation, including chip conveyors, door interlocks, coolant and air nozzles, mist extraction, and compressed air quality, with focus on inspection and basic troubleshooting.
Chip conveyor types and maintenanceDoor interlocks and safety switchesCoolant and air nozzle positioningMist extraction and ducting checksCompressed air quality requirements
