York Tech to Recognize Tyco Electronics' Support of IMP and Machining Programs

 

July 28, 2006

 

ROCK HILL—On Tuesday, August 1, York Technical College will hold a press conference to recognize the long support of the Tyco Electronics Foundation and Tyco Electronics Corporation. The event, which begins at 10 a.m. at the college's Institute for Manufacturing Productivity, will include demonstrations of some the technology Tyco Electronics Foundation support is responsible for bringing to the York Tech campus, technology which has helped keep the college and its programs on the leading edge of manufacturing.

 

Since the opening of the Institute for Manufacturing Productivity in 2001, the Tyco Electronics Foundation and Tyco Electronics are responsible for numerous grants to the Institute and the college. Representatives from Tyco Electronics in Rock Hill will be on hand for the recognition.
 

Recent technology additions to the Institute provided by Tyco Electronics Foundation grants include a state-of-the-art Haimer tool holding and balancing system not found anywhere else in our area. This system gives the Institute the capability of precisely balancing the high-speed machining tools it uses in the million-dollar machines found on the floor of the Institute, improving their performance and efficiency.

Another Tyco Electronics Foundation grant has allowed the Machine Tool Technology Department to install an automated, computerized inventory system made by AutoCrib to monitor and control the flow of tools, materials, and equipment used within the department. One component of the system, the AutoCrib Vending Machine, looks like a large snack machine that uses helically-wound wire bins to dispense small tools like carbide cutting inserts, drill bits, taps, and similar items. The RoboCrib1000, which stores larger tools and gages, looks like a sandwich dispensing machine. The AutoCrib system also includes a large bank of lockers which securely store on-going student projects and other items, all password protected and monitored by a computer.

Tyco Electronics Foundation funds are also currently being used to install a sophisticated vacuum/ventilation system in the Institute's materials preparation room which will greatly improve the air quality in the room, where procedures like the grinding and drilling of raw materials are done.

The Machine Tool curriculum at York Technical College prepares students for careers as machinists, tool and die makers, tool inspectors, methods technicians, shop foremen, manufacturing process technicians, and quality control technicians. It includes coursework in both machine shop and tool and die. Machining students learn to operate milling machines, grinders, lathes, drill presses, and metal-cutting saws while tool and die students work with precision instruments and both manual and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines to build tools, jigs, dies, gauges, and other special production mechanisms.

The college offers three programs: a certificate program, a diploma program, and a general technology degree program.

For more information about Tuesday's event, contact Dr. Ed Duffy at (803) 327-8012.