On Friday April 25th, IRE students took a trip to
Duluth, MN and Superior, WI to tour two companies involved in manufacturing.
The first tour was to the ME Elecmetal foundry in Duluth.
Afterwards, students toured the Barko production facility in Superior, WI.
ME Elecmetal foundry in Duluth produces metal
castings, starting from raw material. Students were able to see first-hand the
process that raw materials take while being converted into a usable
product. Students also had a chance to
interact with engineers in the field, and discuss aspects of their jobs.
Barko specializes in building equipment used
in tree harvesting and removal. Their location in Superior takes parts that
were assembled elsewhere and combines it with in-house production to create a complete
industrial vehicle, ready to be put into service. After touring the facility,
and watching different models being produced, students had a chance to talk
with the engineers and find out some of the necessary skills needed to perform
their jobs.
Students gained valuable experience from both
of these tours. By being able to see how a finished product is created from raw
materials, students gained a better understanding of how their designs might be
produced. Students were also able to see another form of production while
touring the assembly plants. This information, along with being able to speak
with real world engineers, provided students with valuable information that
will serve them well both while in school and as they progress through their career.
Proofread by James Simpson
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