In 2007, Washington Monthly evaluated the nation’s more than 1,500 community and technical colleges to identify those that excel in using teaching methods that researchers have linked to increased student achievement, as well as those that have been successful in helping students earn degrees. Wisconsin Indianhead was ranked #7.
To keep it real, (i.e. use learning techniques and technologies that will deliver the most value to students and ultimately their employers) Wisconsin Indianhead relies heavily on recommendations from advisory committees composed of local industry leaders. Based on this advice, the New Richmond Campus has used Mastercam CAD/CAM software exclusively for more than a decade for teaching Computer Aided Manufacturing theory and practice in its computer lab and Tech Center.
Instructor Olaf Wick said: “The companies that our students go to are unique in their needs. Students who go to tool shops pretty much end up hanging their hats on programs automatically generated in Mastercam. However, students who go to the production custom machine shops will frequently use Mastercam to generate CNC machining programs and then go back and edit manually to make them more efficient. The product has that much flexibility.”
After becoming grounded in machine theory and CAD basics during the first semester, students become immersed in CAM programming during the following three semesters of a 2-year diploma program, Wick said. The New Richmond Campus has 33 seats of Mastercam, with more than 90 seats college-wide.
Each CAM-related course increases in complexity, building on learning acquired previously. By the final semester, students are tasked with solving technical problems using Mastercam to program mills, lathes, multiaxis machining centers and EDM equipment in the machining lab. In toolmaking, they even manufacture their own injection mold and watch it being operated by students in the injection molding program.
In 2008, 18 students will enter the two-year program in the fall and an estimated 21 will graduate in the spring of 2009. Numbers appear to be building and the program serves a diverse range of students from high school graduates in their teens to workers in their fifties looking to change careers. In addition, more women are becoming interested in this traditionally male-dominated program. Most of the students work part time and some full time.
Wick said that prospects for graduates of the program are bright. “We have three or four calls from employers for every student that we have.“ |