"For aspirants preparing for the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) examinations for Trade: Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician (ITI Standard, Subject Code 534), a precise understanding of the official syllabus is paramount. This trade delves into the principles and practical applications of advanced CNC machining within a digital manufacturing framework. This guide meticulously details each unit, outlining critical areas for effective preparation for the Combined Technical Services Examination (Diploma / ITI Level), as per Notification No. 10/2025. The question paper for this subject will be available in both English and Tamil."
"Associated Post and Language"
- "Post Name: Junior Training Officer (Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician)"
- "Post Code: 3619"
- "Number of Vacancies: 86 (including those reserved for outstanding sportspersons)"
- "Question Paper Language: English and Tamil"
"Important Dates for the Examination"
- "Notification Issue Date: June 13, 2025"
- "Online Application Last Date: July 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM."
- "Application Correction Window: July 16, 2025, 12:01 AM to July 18, 2025, 11:59 PM (three days)."
- "Paper I Examination: August 31, 2025, Forenoon (Tamil Eligibility Test, General Studies, Aptitude and Mental Ability, Subject Code 501)."
- "Paper II Examination (Subject Paper 534): Broadly scheduled between September 7, 2025, and September 15, 2025. Exact date and time to be announced on the Commission's website."
"Examination Structure and Evaluation"
- "Mandatory Appearance: Compulsory to appear for both Paper I and Paper II. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification."
- "Paper I (SSLC Standard, OMR-based):
- "Total: 100 objective questions, 150 marks."
- "Part A: Tamil Eligibility Test (minimum 40% or 60 marks required to qualify)."
- "Part B: General Studies (75 questions, Degree Standard)."
- "Part C: Aptitude and Mental Ability (25 questions, SSLC Standard)."
- "Paper II (Subject Paper - Trade: Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician, ITI Standard, CBT):
- "200 objective questions."
- "Duration: 3 hours."
- "Maximum Marks: 300."
- "Total Marks for Final Selection: 450 marks (Part B + Part C of Paper I + Paper II)."
- "Evaluation Criteria: Paper II and Parts B and C of Paper I will be evaluated only if minimum qualifying marks in Part A of Paper I are secured."
"Eligibility Criteria for Junior Training Officer (Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician) - Post Code: 3619"
- "Age Limit (as of July 1, 2025):
- "Others: Maximum 32 years."
- "Reserved Categories (BC, BCM, MBC/DC, SC, SCA, ST): No Maximum Age Limit."
- "Educational Qualification: Must have passed SSLC or its equivalent AND possess any one of the following:
- "A Degree in Engineering / Technology in Mechanical / Production / Manufacturing / Mechatronics from any institution / university recognized by AICTE / UGC."
- "A Diploma in Mechanical / Production / Manufacturing Engineering / Mechatronics Engineering from any institution / university recognized by AICTE / UGC."
- "A National Trade Certificate / National Apprenticeship Certificate in Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician."
- "Physical Standards: Vision Standard III or better. The post is identified as suitable for persons with benchmark disabilities of all categories."
"Official Syllabus Breakdown: TNPSC Trade - Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician (Code 534)"
"The syllabus for Trade - Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician at the I.T.I. Standard is structured into the following units. Aspirants should systematically cover these units for comprehensive preparation, noting that question distribution is indicative."
"Unit I: General Safety Precaution and First Aid (10 Questions)"
- "Industrial Safety: Essential safety precautions in a workshop and manufacturing environment."
- "Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Identification and proper use of various PPE."
- "First Aid Procedures: Basic first aid for common workshop injuries."
- "Fire Safety: Types of fire extinguishers and fire-fighting procedures."
- "Hazard Identification: Recognising and mitigating hazards related to machinery, cutting tools, and electrical systems."
- "Emergency Response: Protocols for handling power failures, machine malfunctions, and other emergencies."
"Unit II: Product Design and Development (40 Questions)"
- "Customer Needs and Specifications: Understanding how to interpret and incorporate customer requirements into product design."
- "Product Design Principles: Basic concepts of design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA)."
- "Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T): Importance and application of GD&T symbols in engineering drawings for precision and interchangeability."
- "Limits, Fits, and Tolerances: Detailed understanding of concepts and their application in product development."
- "Drawing Interpretation: Reading and interpreting complex industrial engineering drawings relevant to CNC machining."
- "Material Selection: Basic understanding of material properties relevant to machining."
"Unit III: Introduction CNC Machines (40 Questions)"
- "CNC Machine Fundamentals: History and development of CNC technology."
- "Conventional vs. CNC Machines: Comparison of their working principles and advantages of CNC."
- "Types of CNC Machines: CNC Lathe (Turning Centre), CNC Milling (Vertical Machining Centre - VMC, Horizontal Machining Centre - HMC), and their configurations (e.g., 3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis)."
- "CNC Machine Components: Controller, drives, feedback systems (encoders, resolvers), spindle, tool changer (ATC), work holding devices."
- "Coordinate Systems: Absolute and Incremental coordinate systems, machine coordinate system, workpiece coordinate system."
- "Machine Control Panel: Understanding various modes (e.g., Jog, MDI, Edit, Auto, Single Block, MPG)."
"Unit IV: CNC Turning (15 Questions)"
- "CNC Lathe Operations: Basic turning operations (e.g., plain turning, facing, taper turning, threading, grooving, drilling)."
- "Tooling for CNC Turning: Types of cutting tools, inserts, tool holders, and their selection based on material and operation."
- "Workpiece Holding: Methods of holding workpieces on CNC lathes (e.g., chucks, collets)."
- "Tool Offsets and Work Offsets: Setting up and managing tool geometry and wear offsets, and workpiece zero points."
- "Program Simulation: Basic concepts of program simulation for CNC turning programs."
"Unit V: VMC Machines (15 Questions)"
- "Vertical Machining Centre (VMC) Operations: Basic milling operations (e.g., face milling, end milling, slotting, drilling, boring, reaming)."
- "Tooling for VMC: Types of end mills, drills, reamers, taps, and their selection."
- "Workpiece Holding: Methods of holding workpieces on VMC (e.g., vices, clamps, fixtures)."
- "Automatic Tool Changer (ATC): Understanding its function and operation."
- "Basic 4 & 5-axis Machining: Introduction to concepts of operating and programming multi-axis VMC machines (tool indexing)."
"Unit VI: CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) Software (15 Questions)"
- "Introduction to CAM: Definition, advantages, and role in modern manufacturing."
- "CAM Software Interface: Basic navigation and features of CAM software."
- "Part Model Creation: Importing and exporting files, wire-frame geometry creation, surface and solid modelling."
- "Tool Path Generation: Principles of generating tool paths for various machining operations (turning, milling)."
- "Program Verification and Simulation: Verifying tool paths and simulating machining processes within CAM software."
- "Post-Processing: Understanding the role of post-processors in converting CAM output to machine-specific G-code."
"Unit VII: VMC G Code and M Code Programming (30 Questions)"
- "G Codes: Detailed study of G codes for VMC programming (e.g., G00, G01, G02, G03, G90, G91, G40, G41, G42, canned cycles for drilling, tapping, boring)."
- "M Codes: Detailed study of M codes for VMC programming (e.g., M03, M05, M06, M08, M09, M30)."
- "Program Structure: Understanding the structure of a CNC program (block numbers, sequence numbers, end of block)."
- "Manual Part Programming: Creating and editing programs for linear and circular interpolation."
- "Tool Nose Radius Compensation: Concepts and application in programming."
- "Subprograms and Macros: Basic understanding and use for repetitive tasks."
- "Program Optimisation: Techniques for optimising VMC programs for idle movement and cycle time reduction."
"Unit VIII: CNC Programming (25 Questions)"
"This unit covers general CNC programming concepts applicable across both turning and milling, with a focus on advanced techniques."
- "Advanced G Code and M Code Concepts: Comprehensive understanding beyond basic applications."
- "Coordinate Systems: In-depth application of absolute and incremental programming."
- "Interpolation: Linear, Circular (CW, CCW), and helical interpolation."
- "Canned Cycles: Advanced drilling cycles, boring cycles, tapping cycles, threading cycles."
- "Tool Compensation: Cutter radius compensation, tool length compensation."
- "Program Structure and Control: Program creation tools and techniques, block skip, program stop, optional block skip."
- "Program Editing: Techniques for editing and optimising existing CNC programs."
- "Parametric Programming: Introduction to macros and custom macro programming."
- "Tool Path Verification: Using graphical icons on machine control panel for tool path verification."
- "Importing and Exporting Programs: Methods for transferring CNC programs to and from machines."
"Unit IX: CNC Grinding Machine (20 Questions)"
- "Introduction to CNC Grinding: Principles and applications of CNC grinding machines."
- "Types of Grinding Machines: Surface grinding, cylindrical grinding, centreless grinding, creep feed grinding."
- "Grinding Wheels: Types of grinding wheels, selection criteria, dressing and truing."
- "CNC Grinding Operations: Basic grinding operations, setting up workpieces and tools."
- "Grinding Parameters: Understanding grinding parameters like wheel speed, work speed, feed rate, depth of cut."
- "CNC Programming for Grinding: Basic G and M codes for grinding operations."
- "Accuracy and Surface Finish: Importance of achieving high accuracy and superior surface finish in grinding."
"Unit X: CNC EDM Machine (Electrical Discharge Machining) (20 Questions)"
- "Introduction to EDM: Principle of Electrical Discharge Machining (spark erosion)."
- "Types of EDM:
- "Die Sinking EDM (Ram EDM)."
- "Wire EDM (WEDM): Principle, advantages, applications."
- "EDM Machine Components: Power supply, dielectric fluid system, electrode (tool), workpiece, servo control system."
- "EDM Process Parameters: Pulse ON time, Pulse OFF time, current, voltage, gap, flushing."
- "Electrode Materials: Selection of electrode materials (e.g., graphite, copper, brass)."
- "Dielectric Fluids: Types and functions."
- "Applications of EDM: Machining hard materials, complex shapes, small holes, dies and molds."
- "Advantages and Limitations of EDM: Over conventional machining."
- "CNC EDM Programming: Basic concepts of programming for EDM operations."
- "Safety Precautions: Specific safety measures for EDM operations."
"Success in the TNPSC Advanced Computer Numerical Control Machining Technician (Code 534) examination requires a disciplined and strategic approach. By gaining a strong command of CNC machine fundamentals, programming techniques (G and M codes), operations on various CNC machines (Turning, Milling, Grinding, EDM), and understanding CAM software, aspirants can significantly enhance their performance and achieve their career objectives in the field of advanced manufacturing."