CVTC Event Showcases Manufacturing

Public has chance to explore careers, catch the latest

Ryan Bone of Chippewa Falls and Cody Hemenway of Eau Claire drew crowds of onlookers when they flew their drone in the Automation Engineering Technology lab at Chippewa Valley Technical College during last year’s Manufacturing Show. While some people found the drone interesting, others found it simply amazing that the two students with no prior experience were able to build the device themselves, less than two years after finishing high school.

But it was no more amazing than the gumball machine that allowed visitors to select the color gumball they wanted, built by two students the previous year. And those are just two of the modern marvels that will be on display at the show, set for 3-7 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at the CVTC Manufacturing Education Center, 2320 Alpine Road, Eau Claire.

Also on display in the program lab are student-built machines that can play a guitar and make a golf putt. Being able to design, build, program, troubleshoot and maintain such automated devices are among the hot jobs in manufacturing today.

“We have a great diversity of manufacturing companies in the Chippewa Valley, many of them using cutting-edge technology,” said CVTC President Bruce Barker. “Attendees can learn more about these companies and how CVTC prepares workers for lucrative careers in manufacturing.”

The Manufacturing Show introduces the public to the world of modern manufacturing, which has gone far beyond the outdated images of low-skilled workers doing simple repetitive work. Dispelling myths about the industry and showcasing what’s happening in the Chippewa Valley is what the CVTC Manufacturing Show is all about. Conversations with representatives of the many private manufacturing companies that will take part in the show should also give a fresh perspective.

Area schools will be heavily involved in the show through activities like the Junkyard Battle welding competition in which groups make welding sculptures based on a particular theme.

“We’re expanding the involvement of high school groups this year,” said Jeff Sullivan, CVTC dean of manufacturing. “More high school students will be able to tour area manufacturing industries before coming to the show.”

New this year is a 5-axis unit for the Haas CNC lathes in Machine Tooling Technics lab. The unit has a moveable cradle, which holds the part the lathe cuts. This enables the machine to cut at various angles without having to take the part out, reset it and re-program. Also new this year is a larger area for the Industrial Mechanics program, which has moved into the adjoining Applied Technology Center.

“Our mobile manufacturing lab, which visits high schools in the area to enhance their curriculum, will be open for tours,” Sullivan said. “This year, people will be able to do hands-on activities in the lab.”

Attendees will be able to try their hand at welding in the CVTC welding lab, try out a flight simulator, and see equipment like a water jet that uses streams of water to cut metal in precise detail. Also on display will be a three-dimensional printer that produces a 3-D plastic model of something drawn up on computer-assisted design software.

People will be able to talk with faculty and students from CVTC’s manufacturing programs: Automation Engineering Technology, Industrial Mechanic, Industrial Mechanical Technician, Machine Tooling Technics, Welding and Welding Fabrication. CVTC’s science and engineering departments will also be involved.

People attending will be provided with “passports” to visit each area of the show and by having their passports stamped from the various areas they will be eligible for a drawing for an Apple watch.

Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers superior, progressive technical education which improves the lives of students, meets the workforce needs of the region, and strengthens the larger community. Campuses are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Neillsville and River Falls. CVTC serves an 11-county area in west central Wisconsin. CVTC is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and is one of 16 WTCS colleges located throughout the state.

IF YOU GO

What: CVTC Manufacturing Show
When: Thursday, March 2, 3-7 p.m.
Where: CVTC Manufacturing Education Center, 2320 Alpine Road, Eau Claire
Cost: FREE and open to the public
Web: cvtc.edu/mfgshow