Course Overview
The CNC Mill Setup Program and CNC Lathe Setup Program at iMTT provide students with the practical, job-ready skills to safely and accurately set up CNC milling machines and lathes. Through hands-on workshop training, students learn essential setup fundamentals including machine startup, fixture alignment, tool offsets, wear compensation, and troubleshooting.
This program prepares learners to handle the critical setup responsibilities that enable operators and programmers to maintain efficient production and achieve high-quality precision parts. Graduates are equipped with the expertise employers demand in aerospace, automotive, medical, and general manufacturing industries.
What You Will Learn
- CNC workshop safety and WHMIS training
- Stock preparation, referencing, and establishing work coordinate systems (WCS)
- Setup documentation, inspection tools, and process logs
- Machine startup, cold start, and warm-up cycles
- Tool length, tool nose radius, and wear offset management
- Final setup projects demonstrating full mill and lathe preparation
- Workholding, fixture alignment, and hydraulic chuck setup
- Dry runs, verification, and troubleshooting of setup errors
- Program Type: Non-Vocational Certificate (PCCA-Exempt)
- Program Length: 39 Hours each (Mill / Lathe)
- Campus: Mississauga
- Program Mode: In-Person Workshop
- Financial Aid Available
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 diploma or equivalent GED
- Minimum 18 years of age
- English Language Proficiency
Career Options
NOC 72100
- CNC Mill Setup Technician
- CNC Lathe Setup Technician
- Machining Tool Operator
- Aerospace Machinist
- Automotive Machinist
- Typical Wages: $20 – $36/hour (approx. $41k – $75k/year)
Build job-ready expertise in machine startup, fixture alignment, hydraulic chuck setup, tool offsets, wear compensation, and troubleshooting.
Prepare for in-demand roles as CNC Setup Technician, supporting efficient production in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries with precision-focused training.
program courses
CNC Mill Setup (39 Hours)
Overview of CNC milling machines, applications, and safety protocols.
Powering on, homing axes, cold start vs. warm start, and warm-up programs.
Vice/fixture alignment, clamping methods, stock preparation, and referencing.
Tool length offsets, wear offsets, and tool library management.
Dry runs, inspection tools, common errors, and setup documentation.
Complete a full mill setup, machine a sample part, and submit setup documentation.
CNC Lathe Setup (39 Hours)
Lathe components, machine types, applications, and safety protocols.
Startup, warm-up routines, clearing alarms, and startup checklist.
Hydraulic chuck setup, stock clamping, and concentricity checks.
Establishing Z-face and X-diameter reference, offsets (G54–G59).
Tool touch-off, nose radius compensation, wear offsets, and setup practices.
Dry runs, test cuts, inspection, and setup documentation.
Complete a full lathe setup, machine a sample part, and submit setup report.