Advanced Manufacturing

The Advanced Manufacturing student who successfully completes four years of the program will, at a minimum, be able to acquire an understanding of machine operation and setup, shop management, CAD and CAM programing, entrepreneurial skills, OSHA, and related theory. Students from the program will also be able to take a project through all steps of the manufacturing process from design through fabrication.

Graduates of our Advanced Manufacturing program will graduate with the following skills and competencies:

·         The ability to demonstrate health and safety practices specific to Advanced Manufacturing

·         The ability to demonstrate skills in problem solving

·         The ability to manage equipment and machinery

·         The ability to review inspection procedures

·         The ability to describe material properties

·         The ability to read blueprints/detail drawings and create sketches

·         The ability to plan production process

·         The ability to demonstrate general machining operations

·         The ability to operate a power saw

·         The ability to demonstrate finishing operations

·         The ability to operate precision grinding equipment

·         The ability to operate precision turning equipment

·         The ability to operate precision milling equipment

·         The ability to demonstrate and apply basic CAD operations using current industry standard software

·         The ability to demonstrate and apply the Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM) process using industry standard software

·         The ability to operate CNC and conversational machines

·         The ability to demonstrate and apply advanced multiple axis

·         The ability to demonstrate the use of electrical discharge machining equipment

·         The ability to work with processes that involve heat, spark, or flame

Our graduates are not limited to entry-level positions in the field of Advanced Manufacturing. Higher level positions are vast and vary in both the general industry as well as specialty areas within the industry. Graduates of our Advanced Manufacturing program, who take post-graduate training and/or industry specialized training, might choose to specialize in one of the following examples of technical career areas:

·         Mechanical engineer (would require the ability to research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines)

 

·         Industrial designers (would require the ability to  develop the concepts for manufactured products combining art, business, and engineering while considering the function, aesthetics, production costs, and usability of products when developing the new product concepts)

·         Aerospace engineer (would require the ability to design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles as well as the ability to create and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design)

·         Materials engineer (would require the ability to develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products, as well as the ability to study the properties and structure of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials, and other substances in order to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements)

·         Research and development engineer (would require the ability to execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns along with the ability to develop new technologies, lead project team members, manage team schedules, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products)

·         Quality assurance engineer (would require the ability to oversee the overall production and ensure that the product is cost-efficient and aligns with the company’s standards, government regulations and market guidelines)

·         Supervisor and project manager (would require the ability to use an analytical approach to problem solving and also possess a strong understanding of business skills and customer-service skills)

·         Machinist and tool die maker (would require the ability to set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically-controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.)

·         Mold maker (would require the ability to create, adjust, inspect, maintain, and repair molds and production equipment using various machines, such as lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, and jig borders)

Graduates of our Advanced Manufacturing program have the opportunity to secure the following industry-recognized certifications:

·         Career Safe 10

·         MACWIC 1

·         MACWIC 2

Following are the qualities and skills that are necessary for success in the field of Advanced Manufacturing:

·         Analytical skills are necessary to collect, organize, visualize, assimilate data, problem solve, and make informed decisions.

·         Communications skills are necessary to relay thoughts and opinions in order to successfully interact with the public and all members of an organization

·         Interpersonal skills are necessary to communicate efficiently with multiple people regarding thoughts, ideas and feedback

·         Dexterity is essential in performing the many tasks that require steady hands and good eye-hand coordination

·         Physical skills are necessary to move equipment and system components

·         Problem solving skills are necessary to effectively solve a problem in a timely manner

·         Project management skills are necessary in order to multitask, meet deadlines, reach goals, and resolve issues

·         Leadership skills are necessary for advancement

Frameworks

The Advanced Manufacturing Frameworks identify the competencies that students will have the opportunity to learn in a four-year time span.

Articulation Agreements

State articulation agreements are a uniform and consistent way for students in our Advanced Manufacturing program to enroll in any Massachusetts community college and be awarded credits for work completed at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Our Advanced Manufacturing program has additional local articulation agreements with Springfield Technical Community College and Keene State College, which recognize credits beyond the standard 3 credit state recognition.

These agreements allow for a seamless continuation of education for our students.