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I'm Nick, a tool and die student here at WCTC.
Most of my classes are in the I building where a good
majority of the labs for manufacturing, automotive,
construction technology, and mechanical
engineering are located.
In the welding metal fabrication area, students use
simple and complex techniques such as cutting and shaping to
fuse and join steel or aluminum.
They start with gas metal arc welding then move on to gas
tungsten arc or TIG welding and flex cord arc welding.
In the metal fab side of the shop, they learn to form metal
using a brake press, which is controlled by a CNC or
Computer Numerical Controller.
WCTC has a retro Mini Hornet they uses Phoenix software for
plasma cutting, a Mazak laser cutting machine, and several
CNC robotic arm welders.
In the machine tool lab, first year students use a variety of
machines to manufacture projects they become
progressively more challenging.
They're also trained on the set up, operation, and
programming of CNC turning and machine centers.
In the tool and die lab, we work on Haas CNC tool room
mills, surface grinders, and both wire and ram electrical
discharge machines.
The Mitsubishi wire EDMs can achieve an accuracy of
1/10,000 of a inch, which is like splitting a human hair
likewise 30 times.
We use this equipment to build progressive stamping dies and
multiple cavity plastic injection mold.
Two computer labs support the machine labs.
The software we use in the labs includes Surfcam
SolidWorks AutoCAD, Millwrite and Mastercam.
The best part of tool and die is learning how to make
something from a blueprint to the finished product.
When I graduate, I know I'll have the skills to immediately
step into a good job.
I'm Steph, an automotive tech student.
My classes are also in the I building but over
on the South end.
Automotive technologies is concentrated in three areas,
Toyota T-TEN, GM-Asep and a general automotive options.
In all three concentrations, we work on engines, fuel
management, electronics, transmissions, brakes, and
everything else that goes into a vehicle.
We use Hunter computer systems to be able to align the front
and rear suspension within 1/100 of an inch.
That's like folding a piece of typing paper in half.
Our goal is to get the car or truck running at its peak
performance and keep it there by making accurate
inspections, communicating the correct diagnosis, and
delivering skilled maintenance.
Vehicles brought into the bay include brand new Toyota and
GM models, all the way to vintage classics.
And we all work outside of WCTC at a co-op, which only
adds to our experience.
A portion of our truck driving student's training happens in
the I building and some happens out on the
road behind the wheel.
In the classroom they learn trip planning, state laws,
inspections, and safety.
But the best part is their practice driving in the
semi-truck simulator.
The instructor can program different scenarios, like city
driving or snowing mountain freeways, to test a student's
skills before they're out on the road.
Technology plays a huge role in fixing cars and trucks now.
I feel excited when I pop the hood because I can find out
exactly what is wrong with the car and fix it myself.
I like my program because it's all hands on and what I learn
in school I can apply right to my job.