The impact of CDIO implementation on retrofitting CNC based universal turn drill in vocational education.

The CDIO approach had been implemented in the CNC lathe retrofit manufacturing process to support learning in vocational schools, such as SMK and polytechnics. This research aims to evaluate the improvement of technology-based student competencies that are relevant to the needs of industry 4.0. The stages in this method are divided into three, namely the initial identification of the problem or project, designing the model and electrical sub-components and analyzing the improvement of process evaluation results. The implementation actively involves the collaboration of 4-6 students from various cross majors by appointing one student as a leader who is supervised by a lecturer as a project manager and an instructor as a project facilitator. Validation of the project takes place upon completion of the project activities, with student groups submitting a report detailing the project implementation design, logbook, and final deliverables. This documentation is comprehensively reviewed by the project manager, faculty team, and an interdisciplinary expert committee to assess the validation results of the activity, which will be integrated into the relevant course assessment. This evaluation and validation review relates to a 13-point institutionally developed instrument that is linear to the discipline-specific graduate outcomes. The results of the analysis show that the majority of respondents from students and lecturers agree that the CDIO approach strengthens the understanding of technical concepts and practical skills through structured learning stages, from designing to operating prototype products. In addition, it can also integrate through aspects of collaboration, problem solving, and innovation that support the needs of modern industry.•The implementation of CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) is essential in vocational faculty, vocational high schools (SMK), and polytechnics, particularly for CNC-based universal turn drill retrofit manufacturing projects, as this methodology promotes practice-oriented learning, industry relevance, and aligns with a 12-standard framework•Through a Likert scale-based data collection method, this study measured the level of understanding, technical skills, and user satisfaction with the concept of CNC retrofitting.•The success of this method is measured through several parameters, including increased student competence, active involvement in the project, and the final product produced with an average approval percentage score above 70 %.