Swiss Smarts: Workforce Development & Training

The first look at a Swiss-style CNC lathe, with its multiple slides, spindles and turrets, will have even experienced machinists scrambling for the instruction manual. For those new to machining, the complexity of Swiss lathes may leave them rethinking their careers. Fortunately, a variety of training options exist to quickly get operators and programmers up to speed.

One is the Advanced Machining Swiss program at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), Eau Claire, Wis. Machine tool instructor Dave Thompson said the program is three semesters—48 weeks—long, with 6 hours of instruction per week. Graduates receive nine credits and a certificate.

The first semester, Swiss 1, covers basic machine concepts and operations like tool setting and offset entry. Swiss 2 prepares the operator for programming with G and M codes, and program optimization. The final semester, Swiss 3, teaches students how to use CAD/CAM in a Swiss environment.

Thompson said students in the school’s 2-year machine tooling techniques program learn some of these skills. However, the Swiss-certificate program is for two groups: Those who have graduated with a machining degree and want additional education on Swiss technology, and experienced machinists looking to add to their skill set. Like most vocational-technical schools, CVTC offers placement help to students.

Various programs exist across the U.S. for those wishing to learn Swiss-style CNC lathe
operation and programming, such as the one at Chippewa Valley Technical College.
Image courtesy of Chippewa Valley Technical College.

“Here in Wisconsin, there are seven jobs available for every graduate,” he said. “There’s a definite need for qualified machinists.”

Head west across the St. Croix River and you’ll find a similar program at the Hennepin Technical College (HTC), Brooklyn Park, Minn. Students pursuing a 2-year machine technology degree must attend the 6-week introduction-to-Swiss-machining course. They can then continue into advanced operation and programming, which would give them a total of 192 hours of dedicated Swiss instruction. According to faculty member Bruce Ellingson, a number of area machine shops send their employees for this training, and the class is generally filled to its 14-student capacity.