Equipment Updates Put RCC's Mechanical & Industrial Department on Cutting Edge of Technology

ASHEBORO (August 9, 2007)

The Mechanical and Industrial Department at Randolph Community College has made some major equipment purchases in preparation for the 2007-08 school year, according to Mitchell Kiser, department chair, program head and instructor for Machining Technology.

Those additions include a $40,000 Haas Toolroom Lathe featuring the Haas Intuitive Turning System that makes cutting parts and creating programs for Machining Technology nearly effortless, said Kiser, and a $55,000 Haas SL-10 CNC Turning Center, which is an ideal lathe for use as a teaching tool. Other new equipment include an Anilam 3000 2 Axis CNC Control, which allows students to learn more about CNC programming along with setup and CNC milling applications, and a Proto-Trak SMX 2 Axis CNC Mill Control, which gives students the ability to set up jobs faster, perform milling operations more easily, create and save part programs, prevent math errors and improve each part’s accuracy and repeatability. The new tools were paid for by a combination of state funds and Carl Perkins equipment funds.

In the Automotive Systems Technology area, new additions include a $29,000 Hunter 811P-Plus Computerized Wheel Alignment System, which Don Ashley, program head and instructor, said "allows students to have hands-on experience using one of the most advanced wheel alignment systems." Kiser added, "We were extremely pleased to be able to purchase the wheel alignment system this year to help our Automotive Technology program stay on the cutting edge."

Also added were a transmission flush machine, an on-car brake lathe power drive unit, refrigeration identification equipment, and updates to the curriculum's Genisys Scan tool. "Cars today use so many electronic and computer parts," said Ashley. "It is much more than mechanical, but we still teach our students the basic mechanics, too."

Ashley said RCC will be implementing the new automotive curriculum developed by the state this fall. New courses include Introduction to Alternative Fuels and Advanced Automotive Electronics. A two-year associate degree and one-year diploma and certificate programs are available. The department is also working toward certification by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.

In Industrial Systems Technology and Electrical/Electronics Technology, a $22,000 refrigeration training system for HVAC was added, along with a TekTronix Oscilloscope, and a Controllogix, the latest generation of programmable logic controllers from Rockwell Automation, said instructor Keith Bunting. He noted the new controller offers faster communications speed, greater capacity for performing complex functions, lower power consumption, and greater expandability.

The Autobody Repair shop has added five new welders for use with the higher strength steel used in today's auto bodies, said Danny Moore, program head and instructor. "The new welders condense heat in small areas, reducing the chance of warpage," said Moore. Kiser said the department is waiting until the new Autobody/Automotive Center is built at the Asheboro Campus before adding major equipment in this curriculum. One innovation planned for the new building will be a paint booth which will dry paint in 14 minutes rather than the 2 hours with the current paint booth.

RCC's fall registration will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students should contact the Information Center, 336-633-0200, as soon as possible to complete an admissions application and other essential paperwork.