Precision metals program receives donation
PRESQUE ISLE — The precision metals manufacturing (PMM) program at Northern Maine Community College has received a significant contribution from the Mitutoyo America Corp. of Illinois. Mitutoyo specializes in precision measuring tools including coordinate measuring machines (CMM).
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
PRECISION METALS MANUFACTURING student Devon Armstrong of Milo works with a coordinate measuring machine with the help of new computer hardware and software that was donated to the NMCC program by Mitutoyo America Corp.
The $7,500 donation includes computer hardware, software and a monitor that allows students to write programs for part inspections. This ability makes verification of dimensional requirements for various parts more efficient. The equipment went online this fall and expands on the capability of existing equipment.
According to PMM instructor Dean Duplessis, Mitutoyo works closely with HAAS Technical Education Centers to positively impact precision machining programs that demonstrate a commitment to excellence. Over the years, HAAS, one of the largest machine tool builders in the world, has donated several pieces of equipment to NMCC.
“Mitutoyo is committed to developing progressive partnerships with programs like ours, by providing access to current technology for credit and non-credit instruction,” said Duplessis, who maintains a number of connections in the industry which has been helpful in securing these major donations. “We’ve had a number of employers that have hired NMCC graduates who have stepped up on our behalf and said [to large corporations], ‘If you’re going to make an investment in an educational environment, NM is one of the places we think you ought to make that investment.’ It’s been a huge shot in the arm.”
Duplessis is proud to say the only difference between the NMCC precision metals program and the industry is the size of the program.
“There are at least two companies using systems like this one in the state. A student literally could go to those employers and step right into that environment. The software is virtually identical,” he said.
Every semester, students have the opportunity to manufacture precision metals for companies around the nation through non-revenue generating contracts. Those contracts vary greatly from precision parts for the recreational industry to mining and much more.
