C.R. Onsrud expands, add fabrication center; GE seeks to narrow manufacturing skills gap; Bishop-Wisecarver reaffirms commitment to STEM.
Published April 03, 2018
Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp., and the Hartford section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) honored five Distinguished Engineers of the Year during National Engineers Week. The ASME Hartford section provides these annual awards to recognize and promote excellence in the field of engineering.
Those receiving the award include Mark Von Nieda, chief engineer for the F100/TF33/J52; Rick Carlton, chief engineer for military development programs; Ron Prihar, structures discipline chief, GSE; Esther Boyes, model chief engineer for the PW1900G and PW1700G; and Dan Gysling, aeromechanics fellow.
CNC machine tool manufacturer C.R. Onsrud stepped into the next era of growth with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new, 55,000ft² fabrication center. The building houses machines and technologies for turning raw materials into bases, columns, bridges, and other key CNC machine components.
“This new facility provides the company much needed space to house people and resources, allowing us to continue meeting demand and exceeding the expectations of our customers,” vice president of engineering Bill Onsrud says.
Opening remarks were followed by an extensive tour of the entire C.R. Onsrud campus – allowing visitors to get an up-close perspective on American manufacturing in the 21st century and view machining demonstrations.
Charlie Onsrud started the company in the 1970s. Today, Charlie’s sons Tom, Bill, and John Onsrud drive the company which designs, engineers, and builds CNC platforms in shapes and sizes tailor-made to the needs of leading brands in aerospace, automotive, and other advanced materials.
By collaborating with local colleges on new curriculum, GE Aviation is creating a pipeline for shop floor technicians needed at its new plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
Lafayette needs shop floor technicians holding a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airframe and powerplant (A&P) license to perform diverse technical tasks on sophisticated equipment inside the new facility. Licensed engineers are also needed for the full disassembly of LEAP engines made by GE and Safran joint venture CFM Int’l.
In 2016, Ivy Tech Community College established a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in aviation maintenance technology with a concentration on jet engines. The college then teamed with Purdue University to ensure the two-year degree also provided an FAA A&P license.
Ivy Tech hopes to have about 30 graduates from the program each year to provide a pipeline for GE’s Lafayette operation and other manufacturing operations, says Dr. Todd Roswarski, Ivy Tech’s vice chancellor for academic affairs. Currently, there are 17 students in the program with the first graduates expected within a year.
Industrial automation company Bishop-Wisecarver continues to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education as a Diamond Supplier of the 2018 For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition. Bishop-Wisecarver has been a supporter and sponsor of FIRST for more than 10 years, recognizing the importance of inspiring young people’s interests and participation in science and technology for grades K-12.
“Our job at FIRST is to develop the next generation of problem solvers who need STEM and digital literacy skills to solve the world’s biggest challenges,” says FIRST President Donald E. Bossi. “We do this by offering a project-based learning experience with the support of companies like Bishop-Wisecarver. With its generous support at the Diamond Supplier level, we are able to supply young innovators with the tools they need to get a jump on successful careers.”
During FIRST, teams from countries around the world will compete in 85 district events, 10 district championships, and 63 regional events in seven countries – all leading up to the 2018 FIRST Championship events in Houston, Texas, April 18-21, 2018; and Detroit, Michigan, April 25-28, 2018.www.bwc.com; www.firstinspires.org
