Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

The CAM program prepares you for high tech jobs as a CNC operator or CNC programmer in the advanced manufacturing industry which has become crucial to the U.S. economy.

The curriculum provides the foundation to operate and setup computer numerical control machines that produce precision metal parts, instruments, and the tools involved with the manufacturing of products. The curriculum provides you with a knowledgeable foundation using the CAM laboratory with MasterCAM software and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machines.The CAM program teaches students a vast array of CNC Vertical Milling Centers, CNC Lathes and CNCs with fourth and five axes.

In addition to upgrading technical skills for those currently in manufacturing, this program prepares you for NIMS certifications.

Learn about our programs

Computer Aided Manufacturing Overview (0:45)

Computer Aided Manufacturing Programs (3:07)

 

Degrees and Possible Careers

Certificates

Join Now

For more detailed information regarding the actual CAM classes (not registration), please email the instructor, Mark McCollough, or call his number 559.442.8200 ext.8735.

To learn more about the CAM program and courses, contact an Applied Technology counselor. 

Call 559.442.8273 or schedule a counseling appointment with our Tech & Trades Pathway counselors.

Counselors are available in the Applied Technology Division Office to assist students with creating a Student Education Plan for an CAM Degree or Certificate.

To see recommended courses, see the Catalog.  To see upcoming scheduled classes, see the Schedule of Classes

FAQs

Tuition for the California Community College system is $46 per unit.

A student will have the option of choosing one out of two certificates of achievement available within the CAM program:

 

    1.  Computer Aided Manufacturing - Major #8271 - Certificate of Achievement

                 a.  Courses include:
                      i.  CAM-5      CNC Operation & Maintenance for Machinist                   2.5 units
                     ii.  CAM-10    CNC Mill Programming & Operation I                                 4.0 units
                    iii.  CAM-15    CNC Programing for Machinist                                             2.5 units
                    iv.  CAM-20    CMC Mill Programming & Operation II                               4.0 units
                     v.  CAM-26   Lathe Programming & Operation II                                      3.0 units
                    vi.  CAM-31    Multi-Asix Miling & Programming                                        3.0 units
Students will need 19 units of completion for this certificate, or a total of $874 in tuition costs.

 

     2.  3D CAD/CAM  - Major #3055 - Certificate

                 a.  Courses include:
                      i.  CADD-16      3D Solid Modeling I                                                             3.0 units
                     ii.  CADD-26A   3D Solid Modeling II                                                            3.0 units
                    iii.  CAM-5           CNC Operation & Maintenance for Machinist            2.5 units               
                    iv.  CAM-10         CNC Mill Programming & Operation I                          4.0 units
                     v.  DRAFT-12     Drafting Practices                                                               3.0 units
Students will need 15.5 units of completion for this certificate, or a total of $713 in tuition costs.

 

Financial Aid, if available to the student, can cover tuition.  Review our Financial Aid website for further information. 

There are no required textbooks for this program, however there are recommended textbooks that are a good reference as well as some free” open educational resources” required for some courses.

  1. Computer Aided Manufacturing:
    1. CAM-  5:  No Textbook
    2. CAM-10:  No Textbook
    3. CAM-15:  No Textbook
    4. CAM-20:  No Textbook
    5. CAM-26:  No Textbook
    6. CAM-31:  No Textbook
  2. 3D CAD/CAM:

a.  CADD 16:  3D Solid Modeling I (Recommenced):  $76

SOLIDWORKS 2019 FOR DESIGNERS:  ISBN 9781640570511

The 2019 version is available in the FCC bookstore.  Version 2017 & 2018 will work as well, and all versions are available on Amazon.com

b.  CADD 26A:  No textbook

c.  CAM 5:  No textbook

d.  CAM 10:  No textbook

e.  DRAFT 12:  Drafting Practices (Recommended):  $48.29 used, $67.44 new

Technical Drawing with Engineering Graphics 14th edition (paperback):  ISBN 9781292026183

Estimated cost for textbooks is $143.44.

A.  Required Fees:

  • Health fee ($21 per semester, $13 if off campus/online per semester)
  • Associated Student Body fee ($2 per semester, but opportunity to waive the fee at time of registration if the student so chooses)
  • Material fees: $129 for the certificate, effective Fall 2022

     Optional fees:

  • Parking pass ($30 per semester)
    • Fall 2022 semester:  Parking is waived
    • Spring 2023 semester:  Parking is waived
  • Student ID Card ($5) 

B.  Some courses require additional materials fee for the following courses:

  • CAM-10 CNC Mill Programming & Operations:  T&I Computer Aided Manufacturer, $45 materials fee
  • CAM- 20 CNC Mill Programming & Operation II: T&I Computer Aided Manufacturer, $56 Materials fee

*Costs for required materials/equipment - must be purchased by the end of the first week.

2D or 3D CAD Technician

  • 2" Binder:  $6.29 (FCC bookstore)
  • File storage, two (2) memory sticks or flash drives:  $19.95 (FCC bookstore)

3D CAD/CAM additional requirements

  • Safety Glasses (Z87 approved):  $12.99 (Amazon.com)
  • Steel covered toe shoes/boots:  $105.99 (Tractor Supply Co)
  • 6-piece, Machinist caliper and micrometer tool kit:  $120.00
  • 2" Binder:  $6.29 (FCC bookstore)

DRAFT 12 required materials

  • Mechanical Pencil .5 mm:  $3.79 (FCC Bookstore)
  • Combination scale or equivalent - be able to read and apply metric (mm), inch-decimal (base 10) & inch-fraction (base 16)
  • Eraser, white vinyl: $3.99 (FCC bookstore)
  • Compass (Doesn't have to be expensive): $3.99 (FCC bookstore)

Recommended:

  • 3" triangles
  • Binder
  • Circle Template (small)

Estimated materials cost:  $348.75 

*Materials can be purchased through other vendors if available. Instructors will review items during the first week of classes and will expect all students to have them ready by the second week of classes.

C.  Vendor Recommendations:

The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate recommends that materials can be purchased at any general location.

  • Work World
  • Fresno Ag
  • Tractor Supply Co

D.  Technology Requirements:

  • A laptop or Desktop (8 GB and 500 GB storage) with Microsoft Windows 10 Operating Systems:
    • Windows 10
    • Mac:  MacOS 10.12 and above, must be able to run Windows 10 or above
    • iOS:  11.0 and above (iPad only).  Must have a compatible LMS integration
  • Memory:
    • Windows:  500 MB permanent space on the hard drive
    • Mac:  120 MB permanent space on the hard drive
  • Additional Equipment:
    • High Speed Internet
    • Mouse with mouse wheel
    • Use a free version of Solidworks to run on personal laptop OR use your computer, tablet etc., to access the software remotely using Apport, you no longer need an expensive computer to run SolidWorks software. FCC has provided the ability to use any device to access a more powerful computer remotely to run Solidworks.
    • A cloud-based file storage platform, such as iCloud, Google Drive, DropBox, or similar

Fresno City Library offers the opportunity for students to use the computer lab or to check out a laptop if available.  For additional information and hours of operations.

A student can pay in one or a combination of ways:

  • Pay in person:  Fee Payments or Tuition, Business office Holds, Refunds/Fee Reversals, Financial Aid Payments/Repayments, Billing, Parking Permits
  • Business Office:  Location OAB 151A (Old Administration Building)
  • Pay online (directly using a credit card):  You may pay online in Self-Service or follow the steps about making a payment.
  • through a grant (review our Financial Aid website for grant information)
  • or with a scholarship or fee waiver through partner programs such as California's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) which provides employment training resources for adults and dislocated workers.  For more information about how to qualify for ETPL.

The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate has the potential for entry-level and mid-level job placement in Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machine Tool Programming, Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operating, or Machining. A potential resource for investigating jobs in the Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) field is:  O*Net Online or Career Coach.

Yes! The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate is stackable – the units count toward an associate degree in Computer Aided Manufacturing or can be used as undergraduate coursework toward transferring to a 4-year institution of higher education.

Every 4-year college accepts coursework differently, however, Fresno City College has a partnership with Fresno State’s Industrial Technology program, where they accept all of this coursework as electives for undergraduate work.

The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate is a “stackable” certificate meaning that your successful completion of this certificate can be used to apply for additional manufacturing-related certificates and/or the Computer Aided Manufacturing associate degree.

The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate is a “stackable” certificate meaning that your successful completion of this certificate can be used as valuable training in conjunction with other manufacturing-related certificates such as Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD), Electrical, Industrial Maintenance Mechanics, or Welding programs. If cross-training is not of interest, these courses in the Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate are applicable to both the Computer Aided Manufacturing and the Industrial Technology associate degree as well as transfer potential for the Industrial Technology bachelor’s degree at Fresno State. When the student applies for a bachelor’s degree program, the 4-year institution of higher education would make the decision as to which courses are fully transferable. Consult with a college counselor in order to discuss these opportunities.

This Computer Aided Manufacturing program uses the same registration system as all California Community Colleges. A student must apply through CCCApply, if not already a California Community College student, in order to receive a student identification number. Once you have a student identification number, we can arrange for a counselor appointment to discuss the program and/or assist with registration through Self Service.

For more assistance with applying to Fresno City College, please access one or more of the resources below:

Initial Steps

Information to FCC Apply Now (Admissions & Aid)

If you are a first-time student, transfer student, high school student, graduating senior, or returning student, and would like to apply to become a Fresno City College student, start the enrollment process with the application, portal and email, orientation, advising, financial aid, and registration. Or feel free to join a Live Help via Zoom Session and find out more.

Extreme Registration (In person):

January 3rd, 2023: 1pm-6pm at Fresno City College Library

January 4th, 2023: 1pm-6pm at Fresno City College Library

For Extreme Registration

If you are interested in dropping in for some academic counseling support, have registration questions, need financial aid assistance, or have questions about fees and payment, please join in one of the Extreme Registration activities listed above, or call 559-442-8226 during event hours to get placed in the queue or they can sign up through the virtual Kiosk. The Kiosk is closed until the day and time of the event.

RAM Ready

January 3rd, 2023: Virtual

January 4th, 2023: Virtual

RAM Ready is our New Student Welcome event designed to help students navigate their first week and semester of college. The virtual experience will consist of presentations, campus tours, information about on campus resources available for students.

If you have any questions about Ram Ready, please contact the College Relations Office by phone at 559.442.8225 or email at collegerelations@fresnocitycollege.edu and use the subject line “Ram Ready Question”. You can also visit the website to get further information.

New Student Registration Resources

Link for New Student Registration Resources

FCC offers live assistance on Zoom to assist students in filling out the online application, logging into the Student Portal, accessing Canvas and Self-Service, and more. Use the link below to view available support times and register to attend a live workshop.

To make an appointment via zoom.

Student Services

For additional support and guidance about starting at Fresno City college you may visit or contact the Student Services office. The office supports campus wide efforts to improve service delivery, communication, collaboration and the social/personal development of students within the division and the campus as a whole.

Please visit the website to discover the additional student services that are available to support you as a student.

The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate is designed to deliver six courses for a total of 19 units, over a period of nine weeks for each course. Typical this can occur over a two-semester period. 

The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate does not use any third-party industry certifications associated with this program, but there are third-party certificates that can be taken by the student after finishing the program.

  • Some third-party certificate examples at a cost to the student are:
    • Haas Operation Certificate:
      • Only given at Selway Machine Tool in Union City, CA
      • Cost $150 paid to Selway Machine Tool
    • Online with Mastercam University:
      • Cost is about $120
      • FCC CAM does not specifically train to take this test, but enough information will be given in the CAM program to help work through one’s own pace to complete all courses to earn a Mastercam Certificate.

The Computer Aided Manufacturing certificate instructor(s) can assist with job placement opportunities. In the second semester you could choose to take a course, AT-19, for a paid or unpaid work experience to build your resume and begin working in your field of study.