PROGRAM NAME: ERASMUS+ PROGRAM MAIN ACTION 2 STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS PROJECTS

PROJECT NAME: Preparation of Curriculum and Learning/Teaching Systematics for CNC Operators in Woodworking in Turkey

PROJECT CONTRACT NUMBER: 2014-1-TR01-KA200-013304

PROJECT VALIDITY PERIOD: 01/09/2014-31/08/2016

PROJECT PURPOSE: This project aims to develop a training curriculum for CNC operators working in the furniture and woodworking sector in Turkey. Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to review the current practices in the European Union and to carry out an analysis to determine the current status of the sector in Turkey and the training needs of CNC operators.

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND SUMMARY

The use of computer-aided design (CAD) technologies in any discipline is the driving force behind the development of skills that require familiarity with computer language, numerical-based technologies, and the concept of “model”. The increase in the use of CAD technologies has also changed fabrication technologies and led to the emergence of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) must be connected and related to the design process that includes all actors from the designer to the manufacturer through the created model.

CAD / CAM is a term used to define the interrelationship between design and production at any level, with high precision, efficiency, and customization according to demand and need. The emergence of the CAD / CAM philosophy has led to the emergence of the CAD / CAM philosophy as data exchange between CAD and CAM systems has become more apparent and computer-aided CNC programming techniques and languages ​​have led to the addition of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses’ manufacturing environments, replacing traditional NC machines with CNC machines. The increase in the use of personal computers has also expanded the use of CAM in non-specialized manufacturing environments. As manufacturing information is created with CAD, CAM techniques have become both more accessible and more easily applicable. The need for special programming knowledge for mechanical processing has previously been eliminated with the emergence of CAD. Currently, software is developed by manufacturing engineers and designers who can develop their own designs for manufacturing in CAM.

The rapid development and accessibility of CAD/CAM technologies has not only forced design-related disciplines to change, but has also made it necessary to improve existing curricula. Because the proliferation of constantly developing CAD/CAM technologies requires a new designer/practitioner profile for design and manufacturing. This designer/practitioner profile should have the characteristics to follow artistic modeling and manufacturing technologies and to design for manufacturing.

In general, CAD/CAM is a whole that starts with digital design and ends with the production of the final product. The system has three main components:

1) Digital interactive design and analysis environment (CAD system)

2) Computer-aided manufacturing software (CAM system)

3) One or more numerically controlled machines (CNC machines)

In the last 15 years, successful CAD learning and teaching has been realized in universities, various workshops and on-the-job trainings. A special benefit of CAD education is the success of lifelong learning activities, which is one of the goals of the ‘’Bologna Process’’. CAM technologies currently have great potential, are relatively easy to use, widespread and accessible. However, the same cannot be said for the use of CAM in different areas and the learning and teaching related to CAM. This situation is also valid for furniture manufacturers and woodworking companies. In Turkey, the furniture industry and woodworking are important both as independent fields and as a combination of the construction sector. There are many manufacturing companies in the country, from very small workshops to large-scale companies. However, their common problem is to provide designer and manufacturer training to cope with the existing technologies within the scope of their own potential and to use the appropriate technologies.

Rapidly changing technologies encourage the production of ever-evolving capacities, which requires continuous learning for all actors involved in the process. In this sense, in order to benefit from appropriate technologies and increase efficiency, the training of designers for manufacturing and the training of operators (users) to ensure that they understand design models are of utmost importance.

Therefore, training programs targeting the users and designers of the technologies in question and aiming to create a common ground to understand each other as well as the potential of the technologies, how to integrate with the technologies in question, how to use them and how to interact are necessary. A curriculum should be prepared for the learning process in question and