Cutting-edge Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lab opens at Terra State
FREMONT - The metal fabrication skilled trades at Terra State Community College has received a big boost with the grand opening of the new National Machinery Advanced CNC Lab.
More than $190,000 was invested in the new Computer Numerical Control, or CNC, facility by a donation from National Machinery of Tiffin, and through grants awarded by the Ohio Department of Education's Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills program.
CNC units use preprogramed computer software to control the movements of materials-cutting machines to carve materials in three dimensions.
The state-of-the-art equipment, unveiled at Terra State on Nov. 3, is expected to expand the school’s technology and skilled trades study programs by allowing an estimated 24 students per semester to join the program.
CNC programmers and operators are highly sought after
“As the global leader in cold forming equipment, National is known for its quality and technology,” said Andrew Kalnow, CEO at National Machinery. "Complex and precision machining is core to our manufacturing, as well as is welding. We are continually looking for skilled machinists and welders. National is proud to partner with Terra State to help young people develop skills to launch a career in advanced manufacturing.”
National Machinery provided approximately 50% of the funding and also assisted in the procurement and industry consultation behind the choice of units purchased for the facility. The CNC machines in the new facility are training units that use the same software and cutting heads that are used at National and most of the advanced up-to-date manufacturing facilities around the world.
"We, meaning this company, and we, meaning this part of Ohio, need to be competitive, if not cutting-edge, where we can. National Machinery, not to be bragging, we're a 150-year-old company that is a world leader in our particular manufacturing niche, which ironically is a competing technology to machining, but machining is our main manufacturing method to build our machines. They are mechanical monsters, in a very good way," Kalnow said. "This is a beautiful space to be learning the trade, as opposed to the old down and dirty machine shop."
Andrew Shella, Terra State's dean of technology and skilled trades, explained how the addition of the lab will allow for new types of certifications that were not previously available at Terra State.
"A lab like this, which will allow our students to be Haas Certified, will show that our students have gone through rigorous training that is recognized by industry and it will allow them to get a job faster," Shella said. "Most companies will have a Haas machine that will allow them to put that person to work, day one."
He described the new Haas training machines at Terra State as downscaled in size, but using the same controls, tools and actions, with the same interface as a student would see on the job.
3rd update to Engineering Technologies Building in 3 years
“Having the support and assistance of industry partners like National Machinery helps us advance both our training quality and capacities,” said Ronald Schumacher, Terra State president. “We are honored to collaborate with them on this project.”
During his introduction, Schumacher explained how this lab, in what was a dance studio, is the third update in three years. It's part of a complete revitalization of the building.
The CNC Lab update offers 1,151 square feet of versatile workspace for the equipment plus new, efficient LED lighting. The facility will soon include a dedicated computer lab that will allow students to modify their CNC programs and work with industrial networks in the sharing of programs between the design and production phase.
Haas CNC Certification training offered at Terra State
The Haas CNC Certification Program is an industry-recognized credential that will be embedded into Terra State’s machining courses and curriculum.
Terra State’s National Machinery Advanced CNC Lab will feature equipment including three Haas Mini Mill CNC Machines and a Haas TL-1 CNC Toolroom Lathe.
"You have engineers who design the part in CAD. They then take that 3-D model and then it would go to a CAM-tech, who would then machine that model, through a CAM software," said Robert Cordell, assistant professor, manufacturing engineering and skilled trades at Terra State. "When that's machined, and it looks good, they then dump into a G and M code, they jump it into the programming code for the machine, hit a button that shoots it to the machine on the [manufacturing facility] floor and now the set-up person of that CNC machine uses the program to make the part."
He said that the engineers could be anywhere in the manufacturing facility — or even outside the facility — and upload the programming by way of the digital cloud.
Students with advanced CNC training credentials, such as Haas CNC Certification, can pursue career opportunities such as CNC lathe and mill operator CNC machinist, CNC programmer, as well as CAD (computer aided design), CAM (computer aided manufacturing) or mechanical engineering jobs.
“As Northwest Ohio continues to be in need of highly qualified CNC operators and programmers in all types of manufacturing industries, Terra State is proud to be a top CNC training resource,” Cordell said.
Cordell said that the majority of job growth in the metal fabrication industry is due to a shortage of skilled tradesmen with the two-year degrees that these training units will be used to help educate Terra students. He said that depending on the degree and additional certifications, Terra graduates can earn starting salaries of $40,000 to $60,000.
rlapointe@gannett.com
419-332-2674
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Skilled trades get boost with new CNC training lab at Terra State
