CNC and firearms manufacturing

[FlyShooter]

Hello all,

I am currently returning to school for a control and instrumentation engineering technology degree and I would really like to get into CNC programing and operation when I'm done. It seems like most of the high quality firearms and firearms parts manufacturing are done this way now.

Can anyone offer any advice or suggestions as to which would be the best route to get into this field?

I'm coming from a military and general aviation avionics background so I've never dealt with any kind of machining or manufacturing. I'm thinking about finding a entry level CNC operating position for now, since I'm fortunate enough to have the GI bill pay for school and have not been working much since I started. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[Onmilo]

Geez, ALL manufacturing is done using CNC machines now.
Everything from blade, laser, and plasma cutters to robotic welding and every kind of machining in between.

You will need to start by taking a basic course in layout and blueprint reading, basic machining comes next, then machine technology, then Mastering Blueprint Reading, then CNC program and operation.

I have an Associates two year degree in Machine Technology and Operation and can do basic program writing and advanced machine operation & am employed as a machinist.
I have a Bachelors in English which is all but useless for earning any kind of real money.

A Bachelors four year Industrial Technology degree will get you into CNC Programming position, cleaner work environment & a lot more pressure than working as a machine operator or machinist.
The money is also about twice as good, so keep that in mind.
Industrial Technology is an extremely broad field and a school counselor can help you decide what path may be right for you.
You can find entry level CNC button pusher jobs.
They don't pay that well, you won't learn anything, and you will get frustrated and bored in fairly short order.

If you really want to get into the firearm manufacturing side of things, I recommend you take a gunsmiths course at a school such as Colorado School of Trades in Trinidad Colorado.
Complete the basic course and the school can help get you placed with a gun manufacturer but you will need more schooling to really "get into the trade." HTH

 

[FlyShooter]

Thanks Onmilo,

I'm about a year away from finishing this control and instrumentation electronics Bachelors, so I have looked into starting an Associates as well, in Machining Technology or Manufacturing Engineering Technology, since switching to an Industrial Technology degree would not be a good option now.
Would either of those help my chance?

The gunsmith course idea is awesome but I'm currently unable to move so maybe down the line. Thanks for the warning about the entry level position, I was concerned about not being able to learn anything doing something like that.

 

[Trader Ray]

onmilo has the right info and suggestions, I was promoted to be a CNC operator years ago and had to learn AutoCad and learned it on AutoCad 14. I had to learn to read the blue print, write a CNC program for it and then transfer it to the actual machine. I had learned at Greenville Center of Technology in Tennessee.
I however ran horizontal ban saw (4) that cut crude foam into cushions or medical parts, the saws could cut items 96 inches wide and 120 inches long. CNC has came a long way since those days and yet it is a great field to learn, and always good on a job application. Good luck and study hard!

 

[blackDdefense]

If you are going for a BA..look into mechanical engineering. I am employed in the industry right now and most of us are on ProE or Solidworks. For me, the design part of the weapons was the draw.