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Externship Summary - 2006

RCNGM Leader: Richard Weber, Ph.D. Asst. Professor and Coordinator
Automated Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Externship: Branson Ultrasonics

(Go to this link to find out about the externship curriculum project)

Lessons Learned

It is very difficult to list the most useful learning experience. There were several learning components that I consider extremely important. The first learning component related to understanding the new Branson ultrasonic welding technology for plastic and metal. The second was the training and lesson plan that Branson has given me for an ultrasonic welding workshop that I was able to directly in the classroom with my students.

Another learning component was reacquainting myself with the new industrial world from the standpoint of project coordination and administration. This gave me very useful career information that I shared with my students in order for them to understand what’s needed for industrial employment.

The most challenging component was the coordination of the project details with the engineers and supervisors. These details included test sample preparation, tooling, equipment, and procedures that were needed to meet the project schedules required by Branson Ultrasonics.

The curriculum plans for the Manufacturing Processes and the Engineering Materials courses were implemented for the Fall semester. The latest externship materials exceeded my expectations for the lesson plans. In particular, the tensile testing data of unique materials for ultrasonic welding machines was an exceptional learning experience for the students. In addition, Branson Ultrasonics funded the repair our Instron tensile testing machines, as well as my training for the computer software to control the Instron testing machines. This allowed me to demonstrate the latest plastic and metal tensile testing technology to the students.

Branson Ultrasonics was very instrumental during the implementation of the curriculum plan. The company supplied all the necessary materials, tooling, and training to make the projects successful. Branson also supplied a CD and hard copy materials on ultrasonic welding technology for a workshop in the classroom.

Impact on Student Learning

The students were motivated to learn more about manufacturing engineering technology because they realized local companies as Branson Ultrasonics are still manufacturing high technology products. I was also able to show the students actual results from manufacturing projects sponsored by local industry that directly related to the course curriculum.

Externship Sustainability

I have shared my experiences and curriculum updates with my colleague who teaches the evening section of the Manufacturing Processes course. I have also discussed externship-based curriculum changes with the instructor of the Introduction to Engineering Technology course. The instructor was very pleased to have actual examples of local company projects that could be shared with the first year students.

I plan to make a presentation about the externship experiences to the NVCC Engineering Technologies faculty at a meeting this academic year. In addition, Branson Ultrasonics wants to continue their involvement with the Engineering Technologies Division in particular with the Automated Manufacturing Engineering Technology program.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education program. Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.