On-Site CNC Plasma Table Training for Agricultural Education
Hands-on operator training that walks your teachers through the complete design-to-cut workflow — right on your own plasma table, with your own equipment.
Schools buy the plasma table. Teachers rarely get trained on it.
Many ag mechanics programs have a CNC plasma table sitting in the shop with little practical guidance on how to actually use it day to day. TradeCraft provides on-site, hands-on training that takes teachers through the full workflow — from creating a design to safely producing a finished cut — so the equipment your school already owns actually gets used.
Built around the workflow you'll actually run
Our default curriculum follows a common software chain, but the goal is understanding the process — not memorizing one vendor's buttons.
Different software at your school? That's fine. Many of the core concepts transfer directly to other CAD, CAM, and machine-control packages, and we adapt instruction to your equipment where practical.
Built for educators, not industrial technicians
Agricultural science teachers
Agricultural mechanics teachers
CTE teachers & departments
FFA / agricultural education programs
School districts
Schools with a plasma table and teachers who need practical, comfortable operator training
The complete workflow, taught in plain language
No unnecessary jargon — training is built for teachers who may be beginners with CNC equipment.
- Plasma table and shop safety
- Understanding the complete CNC plasma workflow
- Basic design creation and preparation
- Vector file preparation and inspection
- Exporting/importing files between design and CAM software
- CAM setup and basic cut operations
- Cut order, lead-ins, and kerf-compensation concepts
- Generating the machine-ready G-code/.tap file
- Loading and reviewing the program at the machine
- Plasma cutter and compressed-air fundamentals
- Consumable inspection and basic operator considerations
- Material setup
- Establishing X/Y work zero
- Host-specific torch-height procedures
- Pre-cut readiness checks
- Program boundary/extents checks
- Supervised test cuts
- Basic cut-quality evaluation
- Normal shutdown and cleanup
- Strategies for using a plasma table with students in an ag mechanics program
Choose the format that fits your program
Plasma Table Foundations
A focused introduction to the design-to-cut workflow and basic plasma table operation.
- Core workflow walkthrough
- Basic operation and safety
- Good fit for a refresher or first exposure
Plasma Table Operator Training
The full training experience, with more hands-on time throughout the workflow.
- Deeper practice at every workflow stage
- Supervised cutting and cut-quality discussion
- Classroom implementation strategies
- More opportunity for hands-on participant practice
Travel expenses (mileage, lodging as applicable) are quoted separately based on training location.
What This Training Is — and What It Isn't
This is operator and workflow training. Being clear about scope helps us make the most of your time on-site.
This Training Is
- Hands-on instruction across the full design-to-cut workflow
- Operator-level guidance for a table that already runs
- Discussion of normal operator questions as they come up
- Practical strategies for classroom use with students
This Training Isn't
- Machine repair or electrical diagnosis
- CNC controller repair or motor/THC tuning
- Rewiring or post-processor development
- Mach3 configuration repair
- Troubleshooting a nonfunctional plasma table
- Bypassing safety devices or undocumented modifications
The host plasma table should be assembled, wired, configured, and capable of completing a successful cut before training begins.
What the host school provides / what TradeCraft provides
Host School Provides
- Functional CNC plasma table
- Plasma cutter
- Computers and installed software
- Steel / training material
- Plasma consumables
- Compressed air
- Required PPE
- Safe shop / training space
- Ventilation, downdraft, or water-table system as applicable
TradeCraft Provides
- On-site instructor
- Curriculum and training materials
- Project and workflow reference resources
- Basic follow-up support related to the training
What teachers walk away with
More confidence using equipment the school already owns
A clear understanding of the entire design-to-cut process
Less intimidation around CNC plasma equipment
A repeatable workflow to teach and reuse
Ideas for incorporating the table into ag mechanics classes
A better sense of what students should and shouldn't do
Reference materials to keep using after training
Request a Plasma Training Quote
Tell us where your school is located, what plasma table and software you currently use, and whether you're interested in the 4-hour or 8-hour training. We'll put together a training and travel quote.
FAQ
Do we have to use VCarve, SheetCam, and Mach3?
No. The curriculum is built around that workflow, but many concepts transfer to other CAD/CAM/controller combinations. TradeCraft adapts where practical.
Can you fix or troubleshoot our plasma table during the training?
No. This is operator/workflow training, not repair or machine-service work. The table must be operational before training.
Do you provide the steel?
Normally the host school provides training material unless otherwise included in the quote.
Is travel included in the course price?
No. Mileage, lodging, and other required travel expenses are quoted separately.
Which course should we choose?
The 8-hour course is recommended when the goal is for teachers to get meaningful hands-on practice with the complete workflow. The 4-hour course is better suited to a focused introduction or refresher.
Can multiple teachers attend?
Yes. The training is designed to work with small groups of educators. Available computers and access to the machine affect how much individual hands-on practice is possible.