Manufacturing Day at YCMT's MTC!
On Thursday, October 5, 2023, more than 20 students from Lakeview High School (St. Clair Shores, MI) visited YCMT’s Michigan Tech Center. The students, who are enrolled in Automotive Technology courses at Lakeview, were participants in Manufacturing Day (or MFG Day).
The Manufacturing Institute started MFG Day ten years ago to introduce young people to manufacturing. Students visit participating businesses who provide facility tours, demonstrate equipment, and share information.
Macomb County (home of YCMT MTC) and parcipating businesses (many of them YCM customers) have been partcipating in MFG Day since its inception. MFG Day is the first Friday of October but, due to overwhelming response, Macomb County conducts the program over several days. This year was YCMT’s debut as a host company.
Milling Applications Engineer Jeff Green conducting a demo (on the Exeron MP9) for MFG Day visitors
EDM Applications Engineer Ethan Fleury introducing students to EDM Singer Machines (Exeron EDM313)
Tom Ptak, Haimer Regional Sales Manager, talking a student through the operation of the Power Clamp Air i4.0 shrink fit unit
When the students and their instructors arrived at the MTC, they visited the Training Room where they enjoyed cider and donuts. Inside Sales Associate/Office Manager Wendy Schrag shared the agenda for the two-hour visit and showed the “This is the YCM Alliance” video. EDM Applications Engineer Ethan Fleury then spoke about opportunities in manufacturing.
The students were divided into groups and rotated through four 20-minute stations: 1) Milling with Jeff Green, Milling Applications Engineer; 2) EDM with Ethan Fleury; 3) Spotting Presses with Millutensil Sales Manager Josh Kauzlarich and Turning Centers with Service Field Engineer Jim Koch; 4) Shrink Fit Unit and Holders with Haimer Regional Sales Manager Tom Ptak. Whenever possible, students were given the opportunity for hands-on experiences with the equipment. Students also enjoyed looking at sample parts and hearing how they were cut on the machines.
Millutensil Sales Manager Josh Kauzlarich discussing validation of molds and the benefits of a spotting press (Millutensil BV30E-R)
Service Engineer Jim Koch demonstrating the L8-SY1 turning center and allowing students to set up and start a small job
All students were given the opportunity to machine a small spinning top for them to take home as a souvenir from their day!
After visiting all four stations, the students received bags containing gifts from YCM, Millutensil and Haimer. Before departing, students took a group photo with YCM. Preliminary feedback has been positive with students indicating that they found the visit to be interesting and enjoyable.
