In Canada, industrial machining is one of the most popular manufacturing services for industrial parts. It produces parts with the required precision, dimensions and finish to meet the needs of the market by removing excess metal from a part through abrasion.
Professionals who carry out this process are called CNC machinist technicians. HARtech, a Quebec company that specializes in industrial machining, presents the profession in this article.
What is a CNC machinist technician?
CNC machinist technicians are responsible for carrying out various machining processes according to customers’ specifications.
They prepare, program and run machines and tools and check the final product to ensure that it complies with quality, safety and environmental protection standards.
This involves determining the machining steps to carry out based on technical information, preparing the machines and systems according to product specifications, and programming the CNC (computer numerical control) machine tools, robots, and other machining facility equipment.
What are a CNC machinist technician’s main tasks and responsibilities?
A good CNC machinist technician must have a great deal of theoretical and technical knowledge in order to be able to handle the unexpected. They must be able to read and understand engineering drawings, CNC programs and work instructions to make sure that everything is configured according to specifications. Ideally, they should have experience with CNC equipment like lathes, milling machines and CNC grinders.
Furthermore, these professionals are sometimes required to check the condition of the machines with measuring instruments and conduct basic industrial maintenance on them. Finally, CNC machinist technicians must sometimes resolve incidents that occur, identifying the cause and making responsible decisions.
They also need to keep up with new technologies (using 3D printing, for example) and stay up-to-date with their work environment.
How to become a CNC machinist technician
CNC machinist technicians are required to have a high school diploma and a qualification certificate that takes four years of training to obtain.
It’s also possible to become a CNC machinist technician with a combination of over four years of experience in the trade and specialized training in metal machining or similar.
How much does a CNC machinist technician make in Canada?
According to sources like Talent.com and Indeed.com, the average salary for CNC machinist technicians in Canada is around $36,000 to $40,000 per year, or between $18 and $20 per hour.
Of course, salary can vary significantly depending on the technician’s profile and experience. An entry-level position might offer around $32,000 per year, while a more experienced technician might earn more than $45,000 per year.
What skills and abilities does the job require?
Ideally, a CNC machinist technician should:
- Show interest in and extensive knowledge of factory production equipment
- Demonstrate strong skills in industrial mechanics and CNC machining
- Be detail-oriented and have good manual dexterity
- Be methodical, precise and able to concentrate well
- Be responsible, well-organized and a good team player
Who hires CNC machinist technicians?
CNC machinist technicians are usually hired by industrial mechanics and machining companies. They manufacture parts for companies that need them ready-made.
A wide variety of companies outsource their machining. They might be businesses in the automobile sector, agricultural machinery vendors, medical equipment manufacturers, construction companies, etc.
These clients’ needs are so disparate that there is very little routine involved in a CNC machinist technician’s work.
HARtech: industrial machining specialists
Since its inception in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, HARtech has built a strong team of experts who are passionate about industrial machining. Today, we are recognized as industry leaders in the province, and we build on that reputation every day by meeting the challenges we face head on.
If you are in need of our services or further information, contact us at (514) 422 – 8282.
If you are a CNC machinist technician looking for a job, visit our Careers page to see if we’re recruiting. You can also apply directly by calling us or filling out our contact form.
