Students Educated on Latest in Machine Tools and Automation at Metal Storm Student Day
On June 13, 2014, Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools and automation hosted approximately 150 Massachusetts technology students at a manufacturing event called “Metal Storm 2014” at their Sudbury, MA headquarters. Vocational students attended from Westfield Vocational Technical High School (Westfield, MA), Essex Technical High School (Danvers, MA) and Shawsheen Valley Technical High School (Billerica, MA) and undergraduate engineering students from Wentworth Institute of Technology (Boston, MA).
“We had 46 students attend from grades 9, 10 and 11,” said Mr. Clement Fucci, Instructor, Westfield Vocational Technical High School. “It was very helpful for the students to see the relevance of what they are learning and how it applies to the real world. It makes a huge difference in their education.”
Students were given tours of Methods’ technology center, viewed machine tool and automation demonstrations and participated in discussions on today’s manufacturing innovations. The tour of the technology center provided the students with the opportunity to view live demonstrations on over 50 leading-edge machines under power, including horizontal and vertical machining centers, turning centers and lathes, bridge mills, boring mills, automation cells, electrical discharge machining and more. Students were also treated to an enlightening perspective on the world of machining automation and robots in an engaging session presented by Mr. John Lucier, Automation Manager for Methods Machine Tools. Students were able to participate in an interactive “Learn the Robot” demonstration, a simple way to show how robotics apply to manufacturing.
“Students were thrilled to get a glimpse of the future ‘real world’, and were so impressed with the capabilities demonstrated at the event,” said Mr. Peter Rourke, Associate Professor, Wentworth Institute of Technology. “Being familiar with Methods, I knew this would be a first class event,” said Mr. Larry Retelle, Instructor, Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. “We were not disappointed. The students were eager to see the demonstrations of cutting edge technology and excited to learn that there is a lot of opportunity in this field.”
“It is vital for today’s youth to become engaged in rewarding manufacturing technology opportunities and equally important to help build a skilled work force for our country’s future,” said Mr. James Hanson, Director of Corporate Development, Methods Machine Tools, Inc. “We were very pleased to do our part by providing students the opportunity to further explore exciting careers in the rapidly evolving fields of engineering and manufacturing.”
The students also enjoyed a catered lunch and each received a Methods’ Metal Storm shirt as a memento for the event.
Methods Machine Tools, Inc. has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories for over 55 years, providing extensive applications engineering support, installation, parts, service and training through a network of large state-of-the-art technology centers and dealers throughout North America. For more information about Methods, please contact Methods at 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, TEL: (978) 443-5388, FAX: (978) 440-9405, Email: sales@methodsmachine.com