In support of the local Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA), Mazak’s Midwest Technology Center hosted the 27th annual 2018 Precision Machining Competition, which honors excellence in precision machining skills among Illinois high school students. At the awards ceremony Thursday evening, May 10, 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, their parents and instructors traveled from up to 60 miles away to explore 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, submitted the completed part and 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 information about the precision machining competition, contact the TMA Education Department at (847) 825-1120 or education@TMAIllinois.org.
About Mazak Corporation
Mazak Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of productive machine tool solutions. Committed to being a partner to customers with innovative technology, its world-class facility in Florence, Kentucky, produces over 100 models of turning centers, Multi-Tasking machines and vertical machining centers, including 5-axis models. Continuously investing in manufacturing technology allows the Kentucky iSMART Factory to be the most advanced and efficient in the industry, providing high-quality and reliable products. Mazak maintains eight Technology Centers across North America to provide local hands-on applications, service and sales support to customers.
