If anyone's interested, the Diploma of Mechanical Engineering registration is happening right now around the country.

The Diploma is heavily oriented around CNC and has both extensive CAD and CAM training and also with access to very cheap educational software. I believe the CAM is called Solid Edge.

As it is a government subsidised course it is also very cheap and can be done in the evening .... check your local TAFE. At my local TAFE, it works aout to $1.40 per facing hour which works out to about $6 for an evening!

The course has CNC basics and a whole stack of useful content.

I am doing the CAD units and the CAM units for the next 6 months.

There is no obligation to complete the course.

Andy

OK. I admit that I'm old and stupid. What the heck it TAFE? I am in serious need of CAD/CAM training. I just jumped in and bought a new ShopSabre with every option but the tool changer. I even had a second spindle mounted and purchase the 4th axis setup. Now all I have to do is learn how to run the thing. I have extensive computer knowledge and am very mechanically inclined but have never done anything with CNC. Do you have any idea where I can find out about this training in the Phoenix, AZ area?
Thanks.

Please disregard my previous post. I should have Googled TAFE before I posted my reply. I see that this is an Australian entity. I am not ready to move to Australia yet. Maybe when the wife retires in a few years.

Hi,

I realise this is a rather old post, but does anyone know if these courses are still available or will be?

Darren.

probably but give them a call.

You will find they are extraordinarily disorganised and bureaucracy will be your hurdle.

Get through to the P/A to the Engineering faculty .... she was the only one who knew anything.

The course is well worth it.

try http://www.bhtafe.edu.au/Courses/ENG51.htm as a starter

Good luck

Andy

I am a TAFE teacher (please don't hold that against me)
I teach 2 Axis CNC, but know there are plenty of courses in lathe and Mill stuff but only in selected tafes. you don't need to enroll in a full diploma to have access to those competency subjects.