M4M 5K Supports STEM Programs in Chicago
The new building features modern equipment in CNC machining, state-of-the-art robotics, automation, metrology, mechatronics, EDM, 3D printing, and welding to support the needs of local manufacturing employers.
To encourage innovation, tinkering, and problem-solving skills beyond the classroom, the MTEC boasts a makerspace where students and the community can interact with desktop CNC milling machines, 3D printers, hand tools, and fabricating tools, some of which were donated from proceeds from the Miles For Manufacturing (M4M) 5K Run/Walk at IMTS 2018.
“Thanks in part to the sponsors and runners of the M4M event at IMTS 2018, students and those from the South Side of Chicago community can experience the manufacturing technology classroom of the future … today,” said Greg Jones, Vice President of Smartforce Development for AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the owner and operator of IMTS. Greg spearheads the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS, which gives students the opportunity to experience the variety of careers available in manufacturing technology.
“The MTEC at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago is the new national standard for all communities to model as a key tool in resolving the skills gap in manufacturing in their local area,” said Greg. “Chicago may be the Second City, but this MTEC is second to none.”
More than 250 students, educators, administrators, policy-makers, Daley family members, the media, and manufacturing technology industry leaders gathered for the grand opening, ribbon-cutting ceremony. The crowd heard comments from Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan; Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago Juan Salgado, and a keynote address from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
“The Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Center will be the paradigm for students working toward a relevant education that opens doors to not just get a job, but find a career,” said the Mayor. “From investing in modern facilities across our campuses, to aligning our curriculums with the skills students need, together we have transformed City Colleges into an education that will pay dividends for our students and our city for generations to come.”
The MTEC includes equipment from Haas Automation, robots and cobots from FANUC, automated robots with welding end effectors from Lincoln Electric Welding, CMMs from Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, EDM equipment from Mitsubishi, and measuring equipment from Mitutoyo and The L.S. Starrett Company.
MORE ABOUT M4M
Since the first M4M event at IMTS 2014, IMTS has and continues to cover all the hard costs of producing the event from timing gear to shirts, so that 100 percent of all revenue raised goes directly to programs that prepare students for careers in manufacturing technology. GIE Media handles management and logistics for the event. In addition to IMTS, the M4M 5K also takes place nationwide at conferences and meetings hosted by AMT. Every dollar is donated to similar programs in these cities.
For more information about Smartforce Development, contact Greg Jones at 703-827-5203. For more frequent updates, follow @GregoryAJones on Twitter.
