2016-05-26 02:52:42
GF Machining Solutions recently held Manufacturing Days, an event geared toward giving students, parents and educators the opportunity to learn more about manufacturing and how it impacts their daily lives. "The decision to have this event was in part because we at GF Machining Solutions and our customers are having difficulty finding people who can fill job openings in the technical fields of Manufacturing. Many people have an outdated view of what 21st century manufacturing is and the opportunities it offers to young people," said Don McMillan, Director of Sales, GF Machining Solutions. "We hope to show and explain how much manufacturing has changed over the last few decades through technology advancements like 5-Axis machining, EDM, Additive Manufacturing and automation," added Gisbert Ledvon, Director of Business Development, GF Machining Solutions.
During the event, participants from 15 Chicago area schools were given a guided tour of the GF Machining Solutions US headquarters including the front office, warehouse and demo center.
After the guided tour, participants were given the opportunity to talk with industry leading applications engineers about the various technologies in the demo center including:
• The AgieCharmilles CUT E 600 wire EDM machine featuring new large-touch screen human-machine interfaces (HMI) that are intuitive in operation and feature onboard Intelligent Collision Protection, built-in machining strategies and flexible job management. The series also features the Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) to further improve cutting speed, precision and surface quality.
• The AgieCharmilles CUT 20 P wire EDM machine designed for high performance and processing flexibility. The machine handles wire diameters from 0.15 to 0.30 mm.
• The AgieCharmilles CUT 2000 OilTech wire EDM for micro machining. The CUT 2000 Oil- Tech has X, Y and Z travels of 350 x 250 x 256 mm, U and V travels of 70 mm. "One system of wire guides permits the use of all wire diameters from 0. 05 to 0.30 mm," said a company spokesperson
• The AgieCharmilles CUT 300 SP high speed wire EDM featuring crossed double guiding of the X, Y, U and V axes independently and of the same dimensions, allowing machining to be done with a large taper, widening the scope of possible applications for wire spark erosion.
• The Mikron MILL S 400 U 5-axis high speed machining center featuring high speed spindles, and built in automation and measuring system.
Local organizations and customers of GF Machining Solutions were also available to demonstrate real world applications of machines displayed and to discuss apprenticeship and internship opportunities. Participating companies and organizations included:
• Royal Die and Stamping
• Technology and Manufacturing Association
• Janler Corporation
• American Mold Builders Association
• Kennmode Tool and Engineering, Inc
• Woodward Aerospace and Energy Systems
"Manufacturing is an excellent career and there are a broad range of routes to manufacturing and other STEM jobs. All routes require some training or education beyond high school be it through credentials, licenses, associates' degree, apprenticeship or universities," said Harry C. Moser, Founder and President, Reshoring Initiative. "If we reach just 10% of the students who attended Manufacturing Days, we could potentially have 25 new engineers or apprentice candidates heading to the Chicago manufacturing market in the next one to five years," added Don McMillan, Director of Sales, GF Machining Solutions. "Our next plan is to have a Technologies Day that targets the guidance counselors and parents specifically. With buy in from these influences, the message of promoting careers in engineering and manufacturing gets more traction."
For more information contact: Gisbert Ledvon GF Machining Solutions 560 Bond St Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4224 800-CTC-1EDM / 847-913-5300 gisbert.ledvon@georgfischer.com www.gfms.com/us
©Gross Publications. View All Articles.