Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 30 CNC Manufacturing Technology 2.3.4 QC Inspector Inspecting a finished product is an important step in modern manufactur- ing. Quality control (QC) inspectors work directly with manufacturing teams to make sure products meet form, fit, and function requirements. QC inspectors must possess knowledge of the machining process and an acute attention to detail. The inspector is the last line of defense in preventing the distribution of parts that are not to specification. In modern manufacturing, QC inspectors are also operators of highly advanced inspection machines, called coordinate measuring machines (CMM). CMMs operate similar to a CNC, but they are used to inspect parts to dimensions as close as 0.00005″. 2.3.5 Engineer Engineers are directly involved in the design and manufacturing of prod- ucts and require an advanced degree. Engineers use math and science to develop new products or manufacturing processes. There are many subfields in engineering, but mechanical and manufacturing engineers are most com- mon in the manufacturing industry. Mechanical engineers are responsible for machine design or modification, and they often work on new designs or improving existing equipment. Manufacturing engineers, or tooling engi- neers, often work to improve the process of making the finished products. Modifying machines or changing the placement of machines on the shop floor can often make a tremendous impact on the manufacturing process. 2.3.6 Manager The manufacturing industry requires managers who can organize, plan, and supervise the manufacturing of finished goods. It often takes someone with good organizational skills to maximize labor, machines, and capital. The manager is the problem solver who evaluates all the resources avail- able and supports the manufacturing team. Jobs at this level often require a bachelor’s degree or higher, but many successful managers have direct experience from holding previous jobs as operators, setup personnel, or programmers on the machine shop floor. 2.3.7 Trainer Like the rest of the manufacturing industry, the education sector is rapidly changing. Today more than ever, qualified, experienced CNC machinists are needed to train the next generation of production workers. Trainers work in a variety of roles, including instructors at schools, industry train- ers, and professional trainers. The demand for instructors is at an industry high and appears to be growing. The best CNC machining instructors will come from inside the industry. Although some trainer positions do require a degree, often the requirements are industry experience and state licensing. 2.4 Applying for a Position Now that you have examined several different manufacturing fields and career paths, you should be starting to understand the range of possibili- ties your future holds in machining. So, how do you get started? Just as there are many different fields and career paths, there are also many dif- ferent ways to get into this industry. Before you decide how to get into the