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“This is a tremendous benefit to the program as we have employers moving into the Clark County area that are in need of fourth and fifth axis machine knowledge for their production process,” Jason Chilman, instructor in the engineering department at Clark State said. “We are the first to be able to meet those needs for those employers.”
Computer numerical control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process in which pre-programmed computer software dictates the movement of factory tools and machinery.
Clark State’s current machines are 3-axis machines. The new 5-axis machine will allow for additional fourth and fifth axis machining capabilities. The part can basically be approached from all directions simultaneously and machined in one operation.
According to JobsOhio, Clark State is the first college or university in the state of Ohio to offer training on a 5-axis CNC machine.
“5-axis CNC is a technical skill that is needed in many manufacturing facilities throughout our region,” said Aimee Belanger-Haas, dean of business and applied technologies for Clark State. “Having this technology at Clark State helps us further our mission for student and community success by providing this training to our manufacturing students, and the ability to offer the advanced manufacturing lab for customized training for current employees,”
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Having a machine at Clark State means employers can trust that the local community college is providing workers for the future in Clark County, Chilman said.
“It really opens up an opportunity to acquire new employees from our current student body but to also bring in their current employees for retraining or up training to help them advance within their own company,” he said.
The need for manufacturing education continues to expand, Director of Workforce and Business Solutions Lesli Beavers said.
“We are all very aware of the need in Clark County in manufacturing,” she said, “We have a great manufacturing base here in Clark County and this will also to help revitalize our community. We want to be able to attract new employers and fill that need for new employees and employers to grow.”
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