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.
