Can you operate a CNC Mill? Please read if you can.

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I am posting this on several forums because it is very important to me so you may see it elsewhere.After a year of no income, I finally got an interview Monday afternoon. The job is for a CNC mill operator. I have NEVER seen a CNC machine in operation. I was told that other people will do the programming and that I would just run the machine and set it up to run.Can anyone make me "Appear" to be knowledgeable on this so I can get through the interview? I will figure it out later, just have to get hired and that will be based on my perceived knowledge of the process.So, if anyone out there can give me some basic information that I will be able to file away in my head for the interview, I would appreciate it.
Reply:Bob I have a Miller at work that we can run programs on. Its basically the same as a old Bridgeport with a readout on it. The readout is hooked up to a PC and the programs can be designed and uploaded to the Mill. In turn you install the piece and set the machine at 0. Run the program and the machine cuts everything out. I'm sure there are more sophisticated machines out there but thats what we got.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:I've got several years working experience from manual machinist (8yrs), CNC programming & operation (6 yrs) - now a mfg engineer.Not knowing what the company produces, your ACTUAL job responsibilities certainly will vary depending on the critical nature of the work, but I'll take a shot at what you might be expected to do;1) Basic machine operation - load/unload parts2) Part measurement3) Making machine/tool offsets as required based on measurement results4) Change/setting tools5) Machine setup (but it sounds like this may be done by the programmer or someone else)Some companies produce pretty straighforward parts, where the process is pretty simple and robust, making the "operator" position pretty easy. Others, the operators have to pretty technically capable. If it's the former, all you may be expected to do is load part (raw material), hit button, unload part, re-load, part, hit button. It's tough to tell. Whatever you do - don't walk in dropping tech terms here and there if you don't actually know what you're talking about. You'll get busted quickly. Just be honest about your abilities, willing to learn and have a good work ethic.Hope this helps - if you have specific questions, lets hear em'!Mike
Reply:The plant manager hired a "CNC operator", he tells me he should be able to run the entire saw dept. and maybe teach me a thing or two.  He comes in the first night and can't even read a tape. How can you run an expensive piece of equiptment like a CNC mill and not know how to read a tape.  Couldn't run any of our CNC equiptment either.  So in my experience it has to be simple on the CNC mill or lathe.  All we have at work that's CNC are a punch, brake, and saws.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Yeah, like i said, the term CNC operator can run a huge range of experience and understanding. I learned on tape machines (point to point) - today most operators don't even know that NC machines were even run off tape of cards. Todays CNC machines are pretty sophisticated and some, pretty user friendly for operator/programmers.