Is your school seeking to attract non-traditional students to STEM-related welding and manufacturing technology programs? Are you struggling to direct students to a skilled trades career path? Here’s a report from The Morning Journal about a recent Careers in STEM event at Lorain County Community College for area high school students presented by the college’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. The college used a Lincoln Electric VRTEX® virtual reality welding simulator to engage students and let them try their hand at SMAW welding. LEARN MORE. 

Students choose career paths for a variety of reasons. Gender norms are playing less of a factor as students are exposed to technologies (and potential career paths) earlier. What are you doing to encourage students to pursue studies (and careers) in Industrial Technology? We'd love to hear your tips in the comments section!

If you have a FANUC CERT program, you already know the benefits of adding robotics to your training programs. With FANUC America's educational products, students can learn to utilize the latest automation technology in robots, CNC, ROBODRILL, and integrated solutions while applying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills. Some of the successful approaches used by educational institutions are:

• Integration of advanced automation to teach design and manufacturing concepts
• Industry-based and credentialed learning for Career Technical Education programs
• Integrate CERT program with career cluster curriculum
• Apply industrial automation training to engineering technology curriculums
• Add CERT programs to workforce retraining initiatives

 
Are you getting the most out of your robotics program? Maximize your program with one or more of the following tools:

• Integrated Conveyor - FANUC offers a MH1 or MH2 cart integrated conveyer. Using simple I/O commands students simulate real world part inbound and outbound functions. The integrated conveyer uses a dual V-guide belt tracking system. Each V-guide belt measures 3.75" (95mm) wide x 18" (457mm) long. The belt speed is adjustable from 5 to 50 ft./min (1.5 to 15 m/min). Externally mounted speed and directional controls. For further details such as, electrical requirements, limitations, and operating environment please reference manufacturer specifications.
• iRVision 2D Guidance Hardware & Software - Robotic vision provides the intelligence required for successful dynamic manufacturing processes and robust robotic applications. FANUC is committed to providing reliable and cost effective robotic vision solutions. FANUC’s iRVision is the first on-board robotic vision system, making all R-30iB robots “Vision Ready.” This makes for easy installation and calibration of the iRVision 2D Guidance Hardware and software.
• Vision Light Kit for Sony camera, Banner Ring Light w/Bracket: Provides a consistent light source for easier iRVision teaching with consistent results
• Grippers – gripper options include Vacuum Gripper, Pneumatic Grippers, Electric Parallel Servo Grippers. The FANUC Vacuum Gripper EOAT allows students to simulate a pick and place application.
• Remote Surface Mounted FS-15iA Force Sensor - The seamless integration of a six-degrees-of-freedom force sensor results in an intelligent robot that can “feel” enabling the most demanding mechanical assembly and material removal operations.

 
These are just a few of the options available for FANUC CERT training programs. Let us help you customize and enhance your program, while improving student outcomes. Contact Moss today for competitive pricing.

Are you familiar with the term “data driven manufacturing”? Low cost sensors and the ability to connect them to the internet have made data collection easier than ever before. [U]sing data to reduce costs through next generation sales and operations planning, dramatically improved productivity, supply chain and distribution optimization, and new types of after-sales services. 

​This video goes into greater detail about data driven manufacturing, courtesy of Modern Machine Shop:​

​As manufacturing gets more technical, educators work to stay ahead of the curve by teaching students for 21st century careers. Schools are turning to industry-leading curriculum experts like Amatrol, FANUC, Lincoln Electric and Turbine Technologies to lend real-world credibility to teach advanced manufacturing processes. More than trouble-shooting and problem solving, manufacturers are looking for their next employees (your students) to be able to integrate highly technical skills into an established process to make current processes more efficient and cost-effective.
 
Moss has worked with leading manufacturers for over 40 years. If you’re looking to align your educational tools with local industry needs, contact us for a review. Our Education Specialists will ensure you align your curriculum with what is most relevant to your local industry. 

Further reading:
Data-Driven Manufacturing

Does your design and engineering program have a Fab Lab? If not, your students may be missing some key opportunities. Fab Labs are popping up in colleges and technical centers, offering tools and technology enabling students to create and refine. A Fab Lab, short for Fabrication Lab, is ideal for students to design and create prototypes, and is filled with tools designed to enable students through the design process. Fab Labs are most popular in schools with strong engineering and design progams.
 
While each Fab Lab is different, they have similar components. If you are designing a Fab Lab, consider implementing these elements:

1. Design Tools – From computers, design software and CAD tools, design is an important element. Many schools we talked with offered File Assistance. All 3D file formats are prone to errors in geometry. Successful Fab Labs will supply file review and assistance for students designing .STL files, helping students troubleshoot designs before production.
2. 3D Printers – 3D printers, also known as 3D rapid-prototypers, are capable of taking digital geometry in the form of a stereolithographic file (.STL) and producing small models. 3D printers come in a variety of price points, and print in a variety of materials. Check out options from 3D Systems here.
3. 3D Scanners – 3D laser scanning, the process of converting physical objects into precise digital models, enables you to quickly and accurately capture your object’s shape and geometries. This process supplies you with a complete digital representation of your part to be used for reverse engineering, quality inspection or at any point of a typical manufacturing cycle. 3D Scanners are available in several price points, from Afinia and 3D Systems.
4. Laser Engravers – Laser cutting and engraving is a very versatile process used to cut or engrave numerous materials including wood, leather, acrylic, anodized aluminum, Formica, and even mother of pearl. It can also be used engrave and mark some metals, marble, and stone to create a variety of projects. The laser cutter excels even with fine, intricate work. Universal Laser Systems can customize lasers based on your need.
5. CNC Routers and CNC Plasma Cutters– CNC equipment is designed to route, carve, drill, and engrave in wood, plastic, foam, aluminum and other materials for a wide range of applications. Plasma Cutters are extremely useful for cutting sheet metal in curved or angled shapes. Cost-effective CNC Routers are available from Techno CNC Systems, EZ Router, and FANUC.

 
Fab Labs can complement in-class instruction, and provide a “lab” environment for coursework. We want to hear from you – are you considering adding a Fab Lab? What tools are you looking for to complete (or begin) your Fab Lab design?

​Let’s talk about management systems for a moment. Classroom management is one of the crucial, key components of success in a Pitsco lab. If you’ve taught using Pitsco, you have likely seen the migration from Colleague to Synergy. Now, there is a migration under way to ITC.
 
ITC stands for “In The Cloud”, or a cloud-based management package. This technology makes the teacher more nimble, and gives back more control of the classroom instruction. We’ve compiled a list of the top benefits of using this classroom management system:

1. Real-time assessments
2. The ability to create custom assessments
3. A variety of student data reports
4. Content extensions
5. The ability to set Destinations, tasks, and Resources to required or optional

 
Students can monitor and manage their learning experience. 
Synergy ITC allows each student to log on – individually or with his or her partner – to complete assigned Expeditions, activities, and assessments. Students learn through hands-on, multimodal, collaborative activities while navigating through a digital Expedition at their own pace.
 
Each benefit amounts to one thing – more teacher control and more customization, which equals a better experience for both student and teacher.
 
Did you know? Pitsco adds an average of 10 features each month to ITC, based on user feedback. If you have a question or a suggestion, you can share via phone, email or live chat.
 
Have you used ITC management from Pitsco? Let us know what you think (and how we can help make your experience unforgettable!) 

Since Lincoln Electric introduced U/LINC, we have fielded many questions about this curriculum. We’re answering the three most common questions here:

1. Who developed U/LINC curriculum? U/LINC was developed with input from a diverse team of welding and education experts. Lincoln Electric tasked 35 independent instructors at high schools, career centers and community colleges around the U.S. with developing specific areas of welding training content. Through expert research and advice from curriculum experts at Texas A&M and the University of Missouri, U/LINC was born. 
2. Is U/LINC a catchy term for an online course in welding? U/LINC was developed because so many instructors were great welders, but had difficulty teaching their craft to students. Welders are the experts; U/LINC is just adding the classroom framework. Focus Areas Include: Classroom Instruction, Laboratory Instruction, and eLearning Modules. Welding is a hands-on subject. Because of this, U/LINC is more than an online class; it is a tool for flipped classrooms, allowing instructors (with field knowledge) to take their instruction further with structured lessons, real world insight, and context questions.
3. Does U/LINC only cover welding, or does it delve into other career opportunities? More than welding, U/LINC shares insight into the following career pathways:

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Automation
• Production Welding

 
As a welding expert, we would like your input – sign up for a 30 day free trial and tell us what you think. Would adding structured curriculum help your program succeed? 

​Consider this student: Abby is an agriculture student who was raised on a family farm. She sees her dad struggle with the same piece of equipment year after year. She thinks she has a simple solution. Her school has a Makerspace, and she has printed a part in 3D that she thinks will solve the problem. She has talked with her instructor about sharing the same design to other local farmers that have the same issue as her dad.
 
Is Abby ready for an Entrepreneurship course?
 
Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes. While Abby is looking for a simple solution to a recurring problem, and is looking to share her solution with others. She has the shades of being a developing Entrepreneur.
 
Entrepreneurship coursework used to live in the Business departments almost exclusively. As we deepen our understanding about how entrepreneurs views obstacles, assess risk, develop solutions, innovate and solve problems, we are beginning to realize that Entrepreneurship coursework can benefit not only business students, but also agriculture students, engineering students, design students…  In short, anyone who innovates and problem solves could benefit from the framework laid out in Entrepreneurship coursework.
 
Entrepreneurship coursework is designed to provide:

• Structure – successful entrepreneurs typically follow an established process from development to market.
• “Real World” Feedback – is the idea viable? Is this feasible? Cost-effective? Community and industry experts can guide students as they examine these questions.
• A safe space to Fail – every idea needs to be revised and refined. With the proper tools, students can try and fail, refine and try again in the classroom with smart tools, from CAD, 3D Printing, Robotics, and any other number of tools. Each “failure” is a critical part of the overall development process.

 
Many schools are looking to develop entrepreneurship coursework. We can help schools connect the dots with smart tools from Pitsco Education (STEM framework) and Startup Genius (Entrepreneurship).
 
Tell us: what are you looking for in an Entrepreneurship program? 

Our Troubled World Requires a Skilled STEM Workforce
Elements of STEM are integral to our nation’s economy – from health care to infrastructure needs, energy, and the environment. That’s why one of the most important tasks we have as educators is to encourage our students to consider careers in STEM. To get them to that point, they need to develop the ability to question and plan ways through experimentation to find viable solutions.

Do I Have a Dynamite Class Lesson? 
Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I have a class lesson that I could sell tickets for?” In other words, a lesson that students will absorb and remember, and that will leave them excited to take the next step?  A lesson that does that probably includes more than just abstract theory or memorization of concepts.  It probably also challenges the students with “out-of-the-box” thinking (aka critical thinking) through self or team experimentation – which is a lot more interesting and engaging than listening to a teacher lecture or demonstrate a science concept.
As long as students are learning, you can use any means possible to turn on the “light bulb.” There is no more important gift than teaching students how science works through application and experimentation.

​Continue Reading...

We are excited to announce that we now offer NinjaTek Cheetah™ flexible filament. This industrial-grade filament is the perfect blend of speed and strength: it is the fastest and easiest-to-use flexible filament on the market, and has an impact strength that is 84% greater than ABS.

​The filament works well in the Afinia H-series 3D Printers and is available in orange, green, blue, red, semi-transparent, white, and black.

Want to learn more about the most cost-effective flex filament on the market today from Afinia? Contact one of our Education Specialists to learn more.