Manufacturing Camp Day 5

Add comment August 1st, 2008

We will admit it…everyone is tired! Over half of the students have about a 40 min drive to arrive at camp so the 8 AM start is a commitment!

Today we went on two great tours. Jerry Busse allowed us to go to Rockford Toolcraft Plant 2. The three gentlemen who gave us a tour there were great examples of people who love manufacturing. This plant is over 120,000 square feet full of manufacturing and they are considering more expansion! It was so clean and organized.  We saw a lot of Made in America items. Truly a highlight was the biggest stamping machine I have ever seen–nicknamed “Brutus” It is a 4400 ton transfer line stamping machine—-stamping 1/2″ steel plate. I was told by a grandmother that two of the students mentioned this machine FIRST when they talked about today!

Our 2nd trip was to Lunquist Manufacturing. Don Lunquist is the owner of this company. Two of the students this week were his grandchildren! Is was very neat to see all they types of machines they use.

Thank you to both companies. I am sure none of the students will drive by a manufactuing company without wondering what is going on in side and being truly interested!

Steve Yagle from Reliable Machine came for our Lunch and Learn. He focused on parts used every day — like your dishwasher that are made right here in Rockford. Plus the fact that it takes more than one company to make a finished assembly. Lunch was provided by Steiner.

We had a final ceremony where each student was given a Certificate of Completion. There was a slide show of the week. Everyone enjoyed the Techworks facitlity and staff. It is truly a great place to understand new skills in manufacturing!

Soon photos and more information will be on the WOTM  web-site www.wotm-rockford.com. See you next year!