Numerical control systems maintenance and implications for engineering technology

Despite the numerous advantages of NC machine tools and the low cost of open loop systems, many small metal shops are not using numerical control because of a shortage of trained maintenance technicians. This study was conducted to encourage the development of courses in NC systems maintenance. A part of this research was devoted to the development of a syllabus for a course in NC systems maintenance based on a questionnaire distributed to twenty-nine machine tool builders and thirty-nine users of numerical control equipment. Respondents indicated that there were good employment opportunities for the entry level technician. It was also determined that the general electronics laboratory contains the equipment the technician will be required to use. A 12.5 hour unit on NC systems maintenance was taught in an electronics class at Memphis State University. The laboratory was equipped with both numerically controlled machine tools and a simulated NC system. A posttest-only control group experiment was conducted. Results indicated that simulated NC equipment was suitable for teaching NC systems maintenance as a part of existing Engineering Technology programs