GF Machining expands Denver training program

Lincolnshire, Illinois – As U.S. manufacturing continues to struggle for skilled labor, GF Machining Solutions and Community College of Denver (CCD) collaborated to add 5-axis training to the college’s machine technologies program. This curriculum expansion, which recently drew the attention of the Obama administration, represents efforts to reduce the estimated 2 million manufacturing jobs expected to go unfilled over the next decade.

CCD offers specialized training on a variety of machine technologies and opened a new Advanced Manufacturing Center in the fall of 2015. The state-of-the-art 33,280ft² facility allows the college to increase enrollment in the machining technologies program. It uses equipment that enhances the educational experience for students while specifically targeting the rising demand for skilled machinists and machine operators.

Vice President Joe Biden recently toured the Advanced Manufacturing Center and met with students enrolled in the machining technologies program. He spoke about the importance of building a Colorado workforce with the right skills for jobs that pay well and provide a solid path to the middle class.

CCD’s 5-axis training program features GF Machining Solutions’ Mikron HPM 450U, a 5-axis solution for universal, automated production that combines dynamics and stability. The machine adapts to suit a variety of manufacturing requirements and offers simple drilling to complex 5-sided and simultaneous 5-axis machining processes.

“We continue to look for ways to help manufacturers overcome their labor challenges,” says Gisbert Ledvon, director of business development for GF Machining Solutions. “Partnering with Community College of Denver to develop this type of hands-on learning program is one of the best ways to mitigate the brain drain that is occurring as Baby Boomers retire.”

Dr. Chris Budden, dean of CCD’s Center for Career and Technical Education, says students now learn on leading-edge machine tool technology that is responsible for re-invigorating manufacturing in America. He adds that the facility also looks forward to working with companies that have adopted 5-axis machines to train their incumbent workers.

GF Machining Solutions will continue to collaborate with CCD to train its instructors. The training program consists of three types of course offerings – introduction, operation and programming – and offers real-world training experience by focusing on applications of the 5-axis machine in a variety of industries, including aerospace, medical, and plastic mold.

Source: GF Machining Solutions