PHOTO CAPTION:
Don Graham, Education and Technical Service Manager at Seco Tools, discusses PCBN tooling as part of the company's STEP training program.
Seco Tools is in the midst of hosting free training courses at its North American Headquarters in Troy, MI, as part of its Seco Technical Education Program (STEP). Designed to promote maximum machining productivity, these courses help Seco customers and distributors stay up to speed on the latest tooling systems and metalcutting techniques.
STEP schedule for customers:
- July 23 - 25, STEP 2 Course (prerequisite: STEP 1), registration deadline July 8
- Sept. 24 - 26, STEP 2 Course (prerequisite: STEP 1), registration deadline Sept. 9
- Oct. 21, STEP Into Course (no prerequisites), registration deadline Oct. 7
- Oct. 22 - 24, STEP 1 Course (no prerequisites), registration deadline Oct. 7.
STEP schedule for authorized Seco distributors:
- Aug. 13 - 15, STEP 2 Course (prerequisite: STEP 1), registration deadline July 29
- Sept. 9, STEP Into Course (no prerequisites), registration deadline Aug. 26
- Sept. 10 - 12, STEP 1 Course (no prerequisites), registration deadline Aug. 26
- Nov. 12 - 14, STEP 2 Course (prerequisite: STEP 1), registration deadline Oct. 28.
STEP courses, which include STEP Into, STEP 1 and STEP 2, are non-commercial blends of hands-on training and classroom discussions that are designed to provide students with both practical experience and technical knowledge to maximize the learning process. Seco can adjust its STEP training to suit specific customer demands.
STEP Into is a four-hour course that is ideal for those with little or no metalcutting experience. During each session, Seco provides an introduction to the use of its Navigator product catalog as well as covers basic manufacturing and metalcutting vocabulary. While this course is not a prerequisite to STEP 1, it can assist participants in gaining the full benefit of STEP 1 training.
STEP 1 is a three-day program that provides an introduction to tooling and machining technology, including ISO/ANSI standards, turning, milling, holemaking, thread milling, workpiece materials, carbide metallurgy, analyzing tool life and understanding productivity. STEP 1 is a prerequisite for attending STEP 2 training.
STEP 2 is a three-day program that provides a more advanced look at machining techniques and tooling systems, including 3D milling, 3D milling tools, optimum turning, PCBN tooling, Capto quick change and solid carbide tooling. In-depth hands-on instruction, trouble-shooting and problem solving play an important role in the program.
According to Don Graham, Education and Technical Service Manager at Seco, as technological advances continue to further manufacturing productivity, the rate at which people learn and apply these new capabilities falls behind the actual pace of development.
"We designed STEP to keep our customers in touch with a rapidly changing industry," said Graham. "After all, without an in-depth understanding of the new metalcutting technologies on the market, many customers find the decision making process more difficult as the range of tooling systems expands."
While STEP training is free to attend, participants are responsible for their hotel and travel expenses. Upon registration, Seco will make a participant's hotel arrangements. The company also provides daily transportation between the hotel and Seco headquarters as well as outgoing airport ground transportation.
To learn more about STEP and register for upcoming classes, visit www.secotools.com/north-america/education-STEP or contact Koni Sarkisian at ksarkisian@secotools.com. Registration deadlines are subject to seating availability.
For more information contact:
Seco Tools Inc.
2805 Bellingham Drive
Troy, MI 48083
248-528-5444
secotools.us@secotools.com
www.secotools.com/us