In support of the local Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA), Mazak's Midwest Technology Center recently hosted the 27th annual 2018 Precision Machining Competition, which honors excellence in precision machining skills among Illinois high school students. At the awards ceremony, TMA presented 52 students with first, second and third-place awards in six machining categories.
Many of the event's activities took place in the machining demonstration area of Mazak's Midwest Technology Center. There, students, parents and instructors explored the latest in advanced machining technology. Attendees also visited with more than 35 representatives from the local manufacturing industry who answered students' questions and discussed the many opportunities in manufacturing careers.
Over 240 students from 20 local high schools, including new participants from Cary-Grove and Glenbard East high schools, submitted more than 292 projects for this year's contest. Students chose from 25 eligible projects of varying degrees of difficulty across three divisions. New to the event this year were three categories with three awards each covering design and programming for machine tools: CNC CAM Basic, CNC CAM Intermediate and CNC Design.
Students could also compete in the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Intermediate, NIMS Advanced, NIMS CNC Intermediate and NIMS CNC Advanced divisions and submit their projects to NIMS to receive certification for their skills. Each student had to machine a part according to exact specifications, submit the completed part and then judges measured part accuracy.
TMA is a non-profit association with over 1,000 precision manufacturing and supplier members. Like Mazak, it too is committed to supporting the manufacturing industry in Illinois. The association provides educational opportunities for students, helps train personnel for member companies, advocates for the manufacturing industry and sponsors networking among its members and with the community as a whole.
For more information contact:
Mazak Corporation
P.O. Box 970
Florence, KY 41022-0970
859-342-1700
www.mazakusa.com
TMA Education Department
847-825-1120
education@TMAIllinois.org
www.TMAIllinois.org