Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Course Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Tool & Diemaking, AAS


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The Tool & Diemaking program prepares students to meet the demands for qualified personnel in either the conventionally controlled or computer numerical-controlled (CNC) tooling industry.

To earn a Tool and Die AAS degree you must complete the Machinist Technology (1st year) and the Die Making (2nd year) diplomas.

1st Year: Machinist Technology  graduates should have the skills required to work in the following career fields:

  • General Machinist      
  • Maintenance Machinist    
  • CNC Lathe or Mill Operator
  • Quality Technician  
  • Engine (automotive) Machinist 
  • Gunsmith

A graduate would have a solid foundation for these fields:

  • CAD Tech   
  • Mechanical or Production Engineering

2nd Year: Diemaking  graduates should have the skills necessary to work in the following career fields:

  1. Tool makers
  2. Design and build dies
  3. Design and build molds
  4. Design and build jigs and fixtures

For more information about the Tool & Diemaking program, and for advising documentation, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/toolanddie.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Students start Fall semester


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Obtain the following scores on the Accuplacer Reading Test, Accuplacer Sentence Skills Test, and ALEKS Math Placement Test:
    • Reading Accuplacer test 30 or higher
    • Sentence Skills Accuplacer test 60 or higher
    • Math (Numeric) ALEKS placement 13% or higher     
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Tool & Diemaking AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 6


Total Credits Required to Complete the Tool & Diemaking AAS Degree - 84


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$156.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6
Books (approximate) 270    140   260   75   40
Supplies   50      50 50   50   50   50
Equipment-Tools   70 1,500   150   50  

Please see program website at www.dmacc.edu/machining for additional information regarding books and tools.

Approximate total for program: $15,959**

Prices reflect new.  Used may be used. 

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Make dies, metal forms and tools; guide and hold devices used in the mass production of metal and plastic parts.
  • Spend time doing precision handwork on dies such as sanding, filing, scraping, and polishing parts of the dies.
  • Use almost every kind of machine tool and precision-measuring instrument.
  • Repair gauges, jigs, fixtures, and dies that may be worn or damaged.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Apply math skills in specific machine setups and operations.
  • Organize your work, planning each step of the job from beginning to end.
  • Maintain a steady hand for precise movements and use your eyes for close work for long periods of time.
  • Be able to lift 25 to 50 pounds.
  • Demonstrate imagination and creativity on the various machine setups and operations.
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude and work closely with others.
  • Basic computer management skills.
  • Must be able to follow industry standard safety guidelines.
  • A quick reaction time is critical in this field.  The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears is necessary to avoid injury.

What Else Should I Consider about this Degree program?


To be a journeyman machinist, you will need two to three years of on-the-job apprenticeship experience.

There is danger of accidents due to the high-powered, fast-moving machine parts.

Most of the work will be done in a standing position.

Average starting salary, A.A.S. degree-$44,996 (2014-2015 Placement Report).

Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should discuss options with a DMACC advisor regarding requirements for credit transfer.

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2018)

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