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Keeping Pace With The Step of Technology

Story and Photos by John Rountree, Photography Instructor

In an effort to keep students abreast of newer technologies that they may encounter in the workplace, McDowell Technical Community College has taken delivery of four new CNC machines with a combined value of more than $180,000. The new machines will benefit students who will train on the equipment, as well as industries that are expanding or looking to locate in McDowell County. Those industries will be able to take advantage of advanced training for their employees or new hires.

With state revenues dwindling and more severe budget cuts anticipated, purchase of the new machines would not have been possible had it not been for the continued generosity of Duke Energy, parent company of Duke Power, who previously funded a biotechnology lab at the college. Through its Foundation for the Carolinas, Duke provided the college with a grant totaling almost one-quarter of a million dollars to upgrade equipment and expand training opportunities in machining technology.
The college was notified in January that it had been awarded the grant, but orders for the equipment did not come in until a few days ago.

“In this economy, we owe a debt of gratitude to Duke Energy for the funds to expand our equipment base and training opportunities,” said Dr. Bryan W. Wilson, MTCC President. “Thankfully, they understand the value of workforce development and skilled technical training and show it with their financial support.”

CNC, or Computer Numerical Controlled machining, is part of the ongoing digital revolution that is remaking the world we live in. With CNC technology, machinists are able to create products with a more complex design, with higher precision, and greater repeatability. All this ultimately means a higher level of quality in CNC machined products.

As might be expected, the training to master these machines is more intense than on manually controlled machines. The challenge for small technical colleges like McDowell Tech is buying the more advanced machines, which are also more expensive.

By funding the Community College Grant Program, Duke has recognized that even though the Carolinas have top-rated community and technical college systems, budgetary constraints present unique challenges for individual schools to grow and modernize. The program provides a financial boost which enables colleges to extend their expertise, to provide rewarding opportunities for students, and ultimately, to help revitalize manufacturing in the Carolinas.

According to Wayne Stines, lead instructor in machining technology, one of the new pieces of equipment in particular, the computer-controlled lathe and milling machine will, “…give us as a community, a better selling point as the county recruits new industry. We can now provide even more hands-on training with machines that are required by today’s industry standards.”

While the machines were delivered the first week of July, they will not be fully operational for a few weeks. Now that they have been set in place, they need to be carefully leveled and calibrated. However, Stines expects the new machines to be up and running during the fall semester which begins in mid-August.



Stines’ enthusiasm for machining is infectious. “The world needs machinists. In fact, the world revolves around machinists. Everything we purchase comes from molds made by machinists, or from other machines that are made by machinists.” He also points out that machining is universal. “Everywhere in the world where there is manufacturing, machinists are always in demand and their pay is very competitive.”
In addition to the new CNC machines, the Duke Energy grant will also pay for a variety of other upgrades in the machine shop, including updated digital readouts to be installed on existing milling machines. The department will also receive an ironworker machine for the newly developed fabrication area. The remainder of the grant will be used to purchase precision hand tools and provide other departmental support. A purchase agreement with the manufacturer will provide advanced training for three instructors specific to the new CNC machines.

Foundation for the Carolinas administers the Duke Energy Community College Grant Program. The Foundation is a non-profit community foundation serving the philanthropic needs of donors and a broad range of charitable purposes in North and South Carolina.

Michael Lavender also contributed to this story.