Tool and Die Maker with VR Training (VR Headset v3 Included)
Tool and die makers play an integral role in the manufacturing process. They are skilled artisans who enter their careers after a combination of education and hands-on training and quickly become indispensable to their employers in the manufacturing industry. This online tool and die maker course is the perfect way to get started in your new career online with the added bonus of using virtual reality (VR) technology to hone your skills.
This course provides an intensive overview of the...
Here is an overview of the Benefits of Virtual Reality to get a better understanding of the value this tool and die worker course provides
Prepare for a career as a tool and die maker, die maker, tool and die machinist, or toolmaker
Gain confidence in your ability to perform your job
Enrolled students are invited to attend our exclusive annual virtual National Apprenticeship Week events, featuring live webinars, workshops, and employer interactions
How the course is taught
Self-paced, online course
12 Months to complete
Open enrollment, begin anytime
160 course hours
Outline
Workholding
Intro to Workholding 104
Locating Devices 107
Clamping Basics 108
Chucks, Collets, and Vises 110
Drill Bushing Selection 230
Math
Math Fundamentals 101
Math: Fractions and Decimals 111
Blueprint Reading 131
Algebra Fundamentals 141
Geometry: Lines and Angles 151
Geometry: Triangles 161
Geometry: Circles and Polygons 171
Trigonometry: The Pythagorean Theorem 201
Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent 211
Statistics 231
Inspection
Basic Measurement 101
Introduction to GD&T 301
Major Rules of GD&T 311
Inspecting a Prismatic Part 321
Inspecting a Cylindrical Part 331
Metal Cutting
Cutting Processes 111
Safety for Metal Cutting 101
Overview of Machine Tools 121
Basic Cutting Theory 201
Band Saw Operation 211
Introduction to Metal Cutting Fluids 221
Metal Cutting Fluid Safety 231
Toolholders for Turning 260
Speed and Feed for the Lathe 301
Speed and Feed for the Mill 311
Machining Titanium Alloys 325
Lathe Tool Geometry 351
Mill Tool Geometry 361
Drill Tool Geometry 371
Intro to EDM 100
Machining
Manual Mill Basics 201
Engine Lathe Basics 211
Manual Mill Setup 221
Overview of Engine Lathe Setup 205
Benchwork and Layout Operations 241
Manual Mill Operation 251
Engine Lathe Operation 225
Holemaking on the Manual Mill 271
Threading on the Engine Lathe 235
Taper Turning on the Engine Lathe 240
Introduction to CNC Machines 201
Basics of the CNC Lathe 211
Basics of the CNC Mill 212
Coordinates for the CNC Lathe 221
Coordinates for the CNC Mill 222
CNC Specs for the Mill 220
CNC Specs for the Lathe 225
Basics of G Code Programming 231
Introduction to CAD and CAM for Machining 241
Control Panel Functions for the CNC Lathe 251
Control Panel Functions for the CNC Mill 252
Creating a CNC Turning Program 301
Creating a CNC Milling Program 302
Calculations for Programming the Mill 312
Turning Calculations 285
Canned Cycles for the Lathe 321
AA.Canned Cycles for the Mill 322
BB.Haas Mill: Control Panel Overview 250
Haas Lathe: Control Panel Overview 255
Haas Mill: First Part Runs 320
EE.Haas Lathe: First Part Runs 325
Fanuc Mill: Control Panel Overview 250
Fanuc Lathe: Control Panel Overview 255
Fanuc Mill: First Part Runs 320
Fanuc Lathe: First Part Runs 325
Mazak Mill: Control Panel Overview 250
KK.Mazak Lathe: Control Panel Overview 255
Creating an EIA/ISO Program for the Mazak Mill 286
Creating an EIA/ISO Program for the Mazak Lathe 287
Creating a Mazatrol Program for the Mill 288
Creating a Mazatrol Program for the Lathe 289
PP.Mazak Mill: First Part Runs 320
Mazak Lathe: First Part Runs 325
Safety
Intro to OSHA 101
Personal Protective Equipment 111
Noise Reduction and Hearing Conservation 121
Respiratory Safety 131
Lockout/Tagout Procedures 141
SDS and Hazard Communication 151
Bloodborne Pathogens 161
Walking and Working Surfaces 171
Fire Safety and Prevention 181
Flammable/Combustible Liquids 191
Ergonomics 102
Hand and Power Tool Safety 201
Safety for Lifting Devices 211
Powered Industrial Truck Safety 221
Confined Spaces 231
Environmental Safety Hazards 241
Machine Guarding 140
Materials
Introduction to Physical Properties 101
Introduction to Mechanical Properties 111
Introduction to Metals 121
Metal Manufacturing 140
Classification of Steel 201
Essentials of Heat Treatment of Steel 211
Hardness Testing 221
Ferrous Metals 231
Nonferrous Metals 241
Exotic Alloys 301
Quality and Manufacturing Management
Lean Manufacturing Overview 101
Essentials of Leadership 110
Essentials of Communication 120
ISO 9001: 2015 Review 122
Continuous Process Improvement: Managing Flow 124
Manufacturing Process Applications: Part I 124
Continuous Process Improvement: Identifying and Eliminating Waste 125
Manufacturing Process Applications: Part II 125
Managing Performance: Best Practices 130
Approaches to Maintenance 131
Managing Performance: Corrective Actions 135
Equipment/Tool Design and Development 137
Total Productive Maintenance 141
Conflict Resolution Principles 150
5S Overview 151
Conflict Resolution for Different Groups 155
Team Leadership 160
Intro to Six Sigma 171
Quality and Customer Service 175
Manufacturing Management 180
Troubleshooting 181
Personal Effectiveness 190
Conducting Kaizen Events 191
Managing the Diverse Workplace 210
SPC Overview 211
Harassment and Discrimination 215
AA.Performance Management and the Law 230
BB.Metrics for Lean 231
Process Flow Charting 241
Strategies for Setup Reduction 251
EE.Management Tools: Problem Solving 270
Management Tools: Product and Process Design 275
Six Sigma Goals and Tools 310
Grinding
Grinding Processes 201
Grinding Safety 211
Basic Grinding Theory 221
Basics of the Surface Grinder 231
Basics of the Cylindrical Grinder 232
Basics of the Centerless Grinder 233
Setup for the Surface Grinder 241
Setup for the Cylindrical Grinder 242
Setup for the Centerless Grinder 243
Cylindrical Grinder Operation 252
Centerless Grinder Operation 253
Introduction to Grinding Fluids 261
Grinding Variables 301
Grinding Ferrous Metals 311
Grinding Nonferrous Metals 321
Grinding Wheel Materials 331
Grinding Wheel Geometry 361
Dressing and Truing 341
Stamping and Fabrication
Die Components 130
Die Cutting Variables 200
Fabrication Process 232
Instructors & Support
This is not an instructor facilitated course; however, support will be provided through email.
Requirements
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, this course requires basic computer skills, including the ability to open and manage windows, navigate websites, and perform common online tasks such as downloading files, completing forms, and using web-based tools.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
Software Requirements:
PC: Windows 10 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
The following materials will be shipped to you approximately 10 business days after enrollment:
Meta Quest 3 VR Headset Kit (headset, 2 controllers, case, and elite strap)
Material Fees are non-refundable upon registration.
Please note: Due to the high cost of the VR Headset Kit, it will not ship until 10 days after your start date.
FAQ
According to Salary.com, the average salary of a Tool and Die Maker is $62,830 as of April 2025.
A tool and die maker is a skilled professional responsible for creating precision tools, dies, and special guiding and holding devices that enable machines to manufacture a variety of products. This role is vital in industries such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and electronics, where high-quality, precise components are essential.
No.
After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.
The course includes the Meta Quest 3 headset with the two controllers, a carrying case, and the Elite Strap.
If there are issues with the simulations, you can contact a student advisor and/or access the VR Help Center in the Learning Management System, which includes documentation, videos, and guides to assist with any issues.
If there are any issues with the hardware, you should contact Meta for assistance.
You do not need to have any prior experience with VR technology to take the course. However, if you do not have any experience with VR, we have a Virtual Reality Navigator, a comprehensive guide with tutorials, games, glossary, and best practices in the virtual world.
You do not have to return the headset and accessories once you complete the course, it is included in the cost of this program.
Using virtual reality in learning has many benefits. Here is a link to a document summarizing the many benefits.
For this course, only the 10 labs/simulations are delivered through virtual reality. However, there is an option to complete the simulations on the web.
You have the option of completing the labs in a web browser (Chrome recommended)
Mobile App: Android and Apple
Network bandwidth: A broadband internet connection is required for larger images, audio, video, interactive components, and Virtual Labs.
Screen resolution: The minimum screen resolution recommended is 1024 x 768 pixel
Ram: 8 GB is the minimum recommendation
Graphic Card: Not required but will increase performance of Virtual Labs
This particular VR experience is only compatible with Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3.
Technical support is provided through the robust Hemp Center available in the Learning Management Systems.
If you experience motion sickness or discomfort while using VR, there is an option to complete the labs in a web browser (Chrome recommended).
To access the VR content, you will need to download a specific app from the Meta Quest store. The information for this will be provided upon enrollment.
There is no interaction with instructors and other students in the VR environment.
We have a Virtual Reality Navigator, a comprehensive guide with tutorials, games, glossary, and best practices in the virtual world that can help you get started.
You have the option of completing the labs using virtual reality or web-based simulations. If the VR equipment breaks or malfunctions, you can complete the labs using the web-based versions.
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.
Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.
ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.
ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us.”