The document introduces a groundbreaking virtual CNC training simulator, designed to enhance education for CNC machinists by providing realistic, scenario-based training. Developed by Speta and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, it allows students to practice setup and operations virtually, significantly reducing costs related to physical training. This innovative software aligns with workforce skills frameworks, enabling more effective learning within allocated training hours.

1. About Virtual CNC Training Software the world’s first 3D training simulator
Using the latest modelling and computer technologies, training CNC machinists will
never be the same again. Working like a flight simulator that train pilots, this training
software will provide realistic training from the setup to the operation of the CNC
machines and the simulation of the actual machining process. With this training
simulator, students would be able to familiarise themselves with the setup and operation
of the CNC machines before practicing on the actual machines, and have a better
understanding the machining process using this training simulator.
This training simulator would be able to help educational institutions enhance the quality
of their CNC training courses using scenario-based training and at the same time reduce
their capital investment in CNC machines and training consumables, such as raw stock
and cutters, by more than 50%.
This software is developed by SPETA and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing
Technology (SIMTech). This development project is one of the projects supported by
SPRING Singapore and IE Singapore under the Local Enterprise and Association
Development Programme (LEAD).
The virtual CNC simulator is the world’s first training simulator that utilises a three-
dimensional precise unified geometrical model which allows the students to simulate the
milling process and save the ‘machined’ model to be used in the simulation of another
downstream machining process. It is also the world’s first CNC training simulator that
provides realistic training from the setup to the operation of the CNC milling machine.
SPETA is in the process of integrating the CNC Mill into its training courseware for
CNC machinists. The enhanced CNC machinist training course will also be aligned with
the precision engineering workforce skills and qualifications framework (PE-WSQ)
developed by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA). The intention of this
enhanced training course is to allow the students to practice different and more types of
machining requirements within the same allocated training hours, thus reducing their
learning curve when they start working with the companies.
Figure 1 shows an actual CNC milling machine and Figure 2 is a snapshot of the virtual
CNC Mill.
From this CNC Milling
Machine (Figure 1)
To this Virtual CNC Training Simulator – A snapshot of the
software (Figure 2)