My employer is expecting my replacement to learn CNC programming for a Haas VMC in the 3 weeks notice I have provided them. My "replacement" has less than 6 months experience in machining of ANY kind. He is very intelligent and a fast learner, however, I need to make my employer understand his expectation level is way too high.
Would several of you who are experienced CNC programmers for similar equipment provide some feedback on how long is reasonable to learn basic cnc programming (edits of existing programs and very basic work), mid-level (writing basic programs, advanced edits, etc.) and advanced programming. I am attempting to stave off disaster with an employer who does not know programming himself and underestimates the time required for proficiency. Thank you in advance to all who offer advise!

Having been my own boss most of my life, I cannot imagine being hostage to any of my employees, ie., I would not in my wildest dreams expect any employee to know more about my business than I do. If he did, I'd be paying him a healthy bit of compensation :)

So, tell your employer that both he and the new cnc machinist should work together and come up to speed on running the machine. That way, the calibre of jobs being undertaken will have to be within the combined skill set of both persons:
"Do you know how to do it?"
"Nope, how about you?"
"No clue, let's check the Haas manual"
"Good idea!"
Blame and success can be jointly shared.
:D
There are certain basic jobs that can be accomplished without too much delay, I suppose, but new guys need a chance to grow in experience to accomplish more challenging work.

Being an employer and having gone through a similar situation from the other side, I can tell you its not a good situation. We let an employee have almost complete control over design and CNC operation. Another employee went to the factory training but the first guy didn't let him practice or excercise what he learned so in 6 months, most of the training was forgotten. So after a year, the first guy had a stranglehold on that part of our operation. But work was getting done on a timely basis and correctly so little attention was given to the down side. Then..he was no longer working for us. Business was slower so we got through a few months while looking for a replacement. But I decided then and there to never be put in that situation again. We hired a new guy that needed to get familiar with the particular components of our operations. So I'm learning right alongside him. He is imparting wisdom from his years of working on similar machines, I'm asking stupid questions!
Its taking much longer than 3 weeks! If possible see if any factory training is available- set the new guy up with the right factory service contacts and clue him in on any special quirks of the specific software and machines-. Having a good service rep and software support has moved us forward leaps and bounds beyond where we would be if we were left just blowin' in the wind.
If you are leaving on good terms and could be available, maybe offer to help further train the new guy after hours or weekends. It might be a good oppurtunity to makes some extra money and keep a good connection with the old employer. The skilled labor pool is small and you never know when paths may cross again..

As a Teacher for both CNC programming and also Machine Setup and Operation, this is the Basic Outline I provide to Companys looking to have an Employee Trained.

Must already have good general machinist skills. Understand Speeds and Feeds, depths of cut, machininst math skills.

To Learn Basic G code or Conversational Programming. 3 to 5 days, 6 hours per day.
Basic Machine setup and Operation 2 to 3 days 6 hours per day.

Learning curve to become independant and proficiant.
About 4 weeks of constant hands on time.

Learning the Basics is the easy part.
Proficiancy comes with experiance and HANDS on time.

We bought our first CNC machining center in 1984. The dealer offered a programming class that lasted about 15 hours. We had no CAM programs back then and everything worked out good for us. Made lots and lots of disc drive parts. Its not the G code programming thats difficult. Its having a good overall plan of attack for the particular part that takes knowledge and experience.

Ken

The CNC component of my training was 6 weeks 8 hours a day 5 days a week and that's just g-code, setup and operation. As for "how" to machine that's another story.

I'd say 6 weeks minimum.

Mike

It depends on the person, being trained.

I trained two people, the first person had no clue (still no clue) the second person has worked out very, very well! Both had no prior cnc time.

The second person is always very eager to learn!

The first person could care less, as long as the paycheck shows up each week!

Again, it all depends on the person being trained. :)


Good luck.



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My employer is expecting my replacement to learn CNC programming for a Haas VMC in the 3 weeks notice I need to make my employer understand his expectation level is way too high.
!

a few weeks is no time to absorb all that no matter how brite the guy is


this is far too typical in the trade , from programming down thru the shop floor , problem is we are specialized , we get to know the company and the work , machines ,tooling etc , also the company gets to know and rely on our skills , it becomes almost a given (in the eyes of the company ) ,which becomes a short fall for the company when we deide to leave ,
i left one place after being there 5 yrs (too long) , they really took for granted exactly what i did on the floor till i left ,then it was a rude awakening ,for months work was going to the floor and they kept asking my buddy who worked in the lathe dept why doesn't anyone know whats happening on the mills , who set it up before , he'd say the guy you were stupid enough to let leave , it was a hard recovery for them ,
and it was all their own fault we ran far too lean
did they change
of course not ,they are screwed once again because the next key guys left a few months ago

at the same time i can understand the views of most companies when it comes to have too much of one thing , we are all overhead in the companies pocketbook

if you care about the company and get along well ,then maybe you could contract (at a premium) and offer training in your spare time