MEDP Arranges Manufacturing Tours for Students Interested in Technology
Apr 6, 2017
McMinnville School District Robotics Students at MEDP's McMinnville | MADE Day
(MCMINNVILLE, OR) - As part of their 1,500 jobs in 15 years goal, the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) is connecting with the McMinnville School District to (MSD) introduce students to a sample of the technology and manufacturing companies in McMinnville. These tours are currently scheduled to take place in April and May at two McMinnville companies that utilize innovative technology to manufacture products, NW Rapid Manufacturing and eCNC, inc.
NW Rapid Mfg. uses additive manufacturing technology (3D printing) to create products and unique components for industries including aerospace, automotive, architectural, motorsports, safety systems and more. The company uses a selective laser sintering process for their pieces and focus on building strong, quality products.
eCNC, inc. is a specialized machining manufacturer that utilizes CNC (computer numerical control) to make exact customized parts. To make these parts, the CNC machine uses CAD (computer-aided design) software which is translated with CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software. Through this process eCNC, inc. can make unique metal parts with high tolerance dimensions and functions.
Currently, the students attending these tours are from the MSD including Patton Middle School Robotics Team members and EASA (Engineering and Aerospace Sciences Academy) students. More students and clubs are also being given the opportunity to participate. MEDP is also working to include more companies and chances for students to tour local manufacturers to discover not only how technology impacts advanced manufacturing, but what a career in manufacturing could look like.
These tours are part of MEDP’s 2017 McMinnville | MADE activities, which is an extension of this past October’s McMinnville | MADE Day where MEDP brought local business and community leaders to different manufacturing companies to tour their facilities. These student tours are also in conjunction with National Manufacturing Day (Mfg Day) which is scheduled to occur on October 6, 2017 and which MEDP will be planning events to celebrate throughout the year.
The tours also align with MEDP’s goal to foster 1,500 new jobs in 15 years. MEDP supports resources and programs that foster the growth of more family-wage, advanced manufacturing jobs with a focus on the technology sector. By harboring an interest in both technology and manufacturing in the youth currently in McMinnville, MEDP hopes to inspire students to consider careers in manufacturing as well as careers that utilize technology right in their hometown.
UPDATE: Northwest UAV has also joined the group of companies who will be holding tours. NWUAV is America's industry leader in unmanned aircraft systems.
