High-precision components and finished devices maker Cadence recently helped Valley Career and Technical Center (VCTC) in Fishersville, Va. to get its new computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) program up and running to help train the new manufacturing workforce.
Cadence (Staunton, Va.) funded a UR5 collaborative robot to be used in the lab’s robotics and automation work cell, four Form 2 production-quality stereolithographic (SLA) printers with a year’s supply of resin, a UV cure post-processing chamber and a post-processing wash. Each will be used in the center’s design and additive manufacturing work cell.
“The donation from Cadence contributed to making this a game-changing, benchmark program and facility,” said CIM instructor Andrei Dacko in a prepared statement. “We are working on breaking down the barriers and stereotypes about manufacturing and introducing students to really cool technologies used in state-of-the-art fabrication.”
VCTC’s CIM program began in August with 14 students enrolled from local high schools. The one-year program provides juniors and seniors with training across core manufacturing and engineering skill sets, including the design process, technical sketching and drawing, 2D and 3D part modeling, design for manufacturability, reverse engineering, robotics, automation and manufacturing processes. Upon graduating from the program, students will have a solid foundation for success as an entry-level operator with local manufacturers, as well as the preparation necessary for post-secondary education in advanced manufacturing and engineering-related degree programs, according to the company.
“This investment planted a seed for a much higher return in the future,” said Cadence CFO Ken Cleveland. “We are very proud to support our community’s youth and in turn, we look forward to hopefully having some of these students join our team down the road.”
CIM students also toured Cadence’s Virginia facility to see the machines and processes in action.VCTC is part of the public school systems of Augusta County, Waynesboro and Staunton, Virginia. More information on VCTC’s CIM program may be found here.
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