The Mastercam Certification is a rigorous set of knowledge-based and practical tests that demonstrate a programmer’s ability to work effectively with CAM software, overcome common issues facing today’s shops, and produce high-quality finished parts.
There are many benefits of Mastercam Certification. Programmers and machinists who complete the Mastercam Certification program carry with them a useful means of quickly proving and validating their Mastercam skills in an increasingly competitive industry. And, for an employer, by hiring Mastercam Certified employees, you are guaranteed to get the level of experience and expertise you demand.
The program indicates knowledge and expertise in the world’s most widely used CAM software. Certification is an achievement and credential that provides proof of skill sets and can open educational and career advancement opportunities.
Certifications
The certifications that are currently available are 2D Mill, 3D Mill, and Lathe certifications. Successful completion of these exams demonstrates the ability to explain and discuss the workflow for creating toolpaths, understand the workflow of taking a model and creating NC code, articulate the difference between standard and Dynamic toolpaths, and understand the geometry in Mastercam.
There are no eligibility requirements or prerequisites needed to take a Certification exam. Users are encouraged to utilize the training courses on Mastercam University, which contain lessons that cover the topics in the Certification exams. Mastercam Resellers can also be consulted for training options available, or the user’s experience as a machinist/programmer may have already given them the skills and knowledge needed to succeed with the exams.
After passing an exam, users will earn a digital credential called a badge. A badge proves a passing grade on an exam, or a series of exams, verifying that their knowledge has been certified by Mastercam.
To learn about Mastercam’s Certification Program, visit https://www.mastercam.com/support/certifications or https://university.mastercam.com.
Related Glossary Terms
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- lathe
lathe
Turning machine capable of sawing, milling, grinding, gear-cutting, drilling, reaming, boring, threading, facing, chamfering, grooving, knurling, spinning, parting, necking, taper-cutting, and cam- and eccentric-cutting, as well as step- and straight-turning. Comes in a variety of forms, ranging from manual to semiautomatic to fully automatic, with major types being engine lathes, turning and contouring lathes, turret lathes and numerical-control lathes. The engine lathe consists of a headstock and spindle, tailstock, bed, carriage (complete with apron) and cross slides. Features include gear- (speed) and feed-selector levers, toolpost, compound rest, lead screw and reversing lead screw, threading dial and rapid-traverse lever. Special lathe types include through-the-spindle, camshaft and crankshaft, brake drum and rotor, spinning and gun-barrel machines. Toolroom and bench lathes are used for precision work; the former for tool-and-die work and similar tasks, the latter for small workpieces (instruments, watches), normally without a power feed. Models are typically designated according to their “swing,” or the largest-diameter workpiece that can be rotated; bed length, or the distance between centers; and horsepower generated. See turning machine.
- milling machine ( mill)
milling machine ( mill)
Runs endmills and arbor-mounted milling cutters. Features include a head with a spindle that drives the cutters; a column, knee and table that provide motion in the three Cartesian axes; and a base that supports the components and houses the cutting-fluid pump and reservoir. The work is mounted on the table and fed into the rotating cutter or endmill to accomplish the milling steps; vertical milling machines also feed endmills into the work by means of a spindle-mounted quill. Models range from small manual machines to big bed-type and duplex mills. All take one of three basic forms: vertical, horizontal or convertible horizontal/vertical. Vertical machines may be knee-type (the table is mounted on a knee that can be elevated) or bed-type (the table is securely supported and only moves horizontally). In general, horizontal machines are bigger and more powerful, while vertical machines are lighter but more versatile and easier to set up and operate.
- numerical control ( NC)
numerical control ( NC)
Any controlled equipment that allows an operator to program its movement by entering a series of coded numbers and symbols. See CNC, computer numerical control; DNC, direct numerical control.
