CGTech Technical Support Engineers will be on hand at the National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). Each year, CGTech staff proctor multiple SkillsUSA/NIMS competitions related to Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining. In addition to grading competitions, CGTech will run its latest version of VERICUT CNC simulation software. The weeklong event is expected to draw more than 18,000 participants including students, teachers, and business partners. The event is designed to help prepare students for the workforce.

“This is a great opportunity for students to help prepare students for employment in CNC programming, and also see where their skill level is compared to their peers,” said Steve Arteman, CGTech Technical Support Engineer.

Participants will be graded by CGTech in two categories: CNC Milling and CNC Lathe machine operations. Each category will be evaluated to measure the contestant’s level of understanding and preparation of CNC programs. The contest assesses real world scenarios such as the ability to write CNC programs, interpret prints, and measure/gage parts. Participants will also demonstrate theoretical knowledge of CNC machine configuration, setup, and operations.

VERICUT software will be used to evaluate the accuracy of the participant’s NC programs created, while ensuring their programs run without violating safety standards or damaging machines. After each student’s NC program has been simulated, the virtual workpiece will be compared to the original design model.

CGTech’s VERICUT machine simulation software detects collisions and near-misses between all machine tool components such as axis slides, heads, turrets, rotary tables, spindles, tool changers, fixtures, workpieces, cutting tools, and other user-defined objects.