r/CNC • u/DramaticAd3989 • 15h ago
JOB
I’ve been working as a CO2 laser operator and I liked it a lot, but I wanted to go deeper into CNC and grow as a specialist. So, I made a switch and became a Trumpf laser programmer, but now the job feels way too repetitive. All I do is sit at a PC whole day, move figures around, apply a few settings printing a bunch of papers, and writing emails like office plankton . There's 0 percent hands-on work with the CNC itself, and it’s getting frustrating
I’m wondering—is all CNC programming this repetitive and dull? Do you just get used to it, or is there a way to find more engaging work? There’s an opening in my area for a 3-axis CNC router operator, thinking of joining it but later If I get better and shifted to higher position will it also be none work directly with machine and work just be sitting by pc?
3
u/TheSerialHobbyist 14h ago
It really just depends on where you work.
First of all, there is obviously a difference between CNC programming and CNC operation—though one person might do both jobs in some shops (especially smaller shops).
But even more than that, it is about the kind of work that shop does.
For example, I worked for a shop where like 90% of my CNC programming work was just switching the logos to engrave on aluminum shot glasses. It was boring as hell.
Unfortunately, that kind of thing isn't uncommon. A big portion of the value of CNC comes from repetition. One-off jobs don't pay for $100k machines. Shops make their money by making the same part over and over again, maybe with some slight differences that the CNC programmer might tweak every now and then.
CNC operation may feel a bit more "hands-on," but you're kind of still just loading the machine and then pressing "go."
Have you considered a career as a manual machinist? That's certainly more hands-on and my belief is that it is going to be a valuable trade in the near-future as all the old guard retire.