Minnesota Robotics Day

On Monday January 28^th four IRE students, Jeremy Goodell, Case Goodyear, Mike Lynch, and Jeffrey Lange, accompanied by mentor Les Flemming, traveled to the Minnesota State Capitol for the first annual Minnesota Robotics Day.  These four students are working on a project to develop new ways to control shape memory alloy wires that could be used as robotic muscles.  Robotics Day at the Capitol was sponsored by Robotics Alley, an organization trying to increase Minnesota’s share in the robot industry.  This day was meant to gather students and industry to show that the state of Minnesota has the infrastructure and needs to move into the realm of producing and designing robots for the future. It was exciting to see the commitment toward realizing that goal.  From middle school students participating in First Robotics, to CEO’s of multi-million dollar robotics companies, there was a wide array of people.  As IRE students we get to create products and work on projects that could spur the next revolution in engineering.  I am now able to go into my project with an even greater interest and anticipation of where it could lead. 
Proofread by Jeremy Goodell.

Co-Op at ESSAR

This semester I was given the opportunity to improve my professional, design, and technical skills by doing a co-op with ESSAR Steel. ESSAR Steel is a new taconite mine currently under construction. It is located on the west side of the Iron Range outside of Nashwauk, Minnesota.

Currently I am involved in two projects. First, I am designing piping layout drawings for the mill bay and reclaim tunnels. These drawings will be used by contractors as a reference when the piping installation occurs. The second project involves designing a portable screw conveyor that will be used to collect dirt and debris around the mill bays. This will ensure safety and a clean work environment.

I feel that this co-op will be a nice way to end my time here at IRE. Particularly, it will be a nice transition into the professional world upon graduation. The reason behind this is I am able to work with professionals on a day to day basis and I get to see how to conduct myself accordingly. That being said, I hope to continue on this journey with ESSAR upon graduation, as they are a great company with an innovative spirit.

WIKISPEED Inc.

For the spring semester at Iron Range Engineering there is a team working in conjunction with WIKISPEED Inc. to help improve their car design. This team of seven students consists of all mechanical engineering emphasis (Adam Geisler, Dan Marshall, Nate Quinn, Matthew Sjostrand, Spencer Johnson, Steven Spooner, and Travis Eddy).  The scope for this project involves purchasing and assembling the modular components for the car. After the car is assembled the team will focus on and improve specific components of the car. Our contact, the inspiration behind the program, Joe Justice of WIKISPEED Inc. has expressed enthusiasm about working with Iron Range Engineering. Shown below is a computer simulation of the car that the group will be assembling and working with.

http://www.wikispeed.com/

Written by: Steven Spooner and Adam Geisler

The beginning of the end...

...for Generation 3 students that started their Iron Range Engineering journey in the fall 2011 semester. The ride has been filled with ups and downs, twists and turns but all beneficial learning experiences. Coming to a project based learning program has been the best educational decision that I have made. The culture and the leadership are both first class and the students have created an environment of acceptance and support. This combined with the flexibility and hands-on learning create a wonderful opportunity for engineering students looking for a place with a unique identity. Over the time I have been here, I have learned far more than technical engineering and problem solving. I've learned how to conduct myself professionally,  communicate effectively as well as develop my leadership skills. These tools that we have been taught and developed here at IRE will serve us well as we move into our careers.

Proofed by: Ron

Construction Update

It wasn't long ago that Max Grey broke ground at MRCTC (July 16th) at began constructing IRE's new home. Max Grey has done a lot of damage in the past 6 months, putting up new trusses in the clean lab to reinforce the ceiling against the snow, and building the frame of the new IRE building. Here are some photos showing their work:

New trusses have been put up in the clean lab (they are purple in this photo)

Hard hats past this point! a look into the inside of the building from the adjacent hallway

 The south side of the building

The west side of the construction zone

 Project room on the first floor

 Two project rooms on the first floor

 Looking at the mechanical closet on the second floor

 Looking at the modeling lab from the second floor

Heater working overtime to help cure the concrete

Start counting the days to the finish of IRE's new home! January 14th is when the next semester starts, and we plan on moving in.

End of year poetry

Inspired by the start of winter break, I thought up a little poem:

The end of the semester is finally here,

And Christmas time is drawing near.

Experiments have run and the projects are done,

And the IRE scholars display good cheer.

Back to our family and friends we shall go,

To enjoy food, company, and snow.

Time to rest, the mentors have recessed

And may we all return next year aglow.

End of the semester

The fall semester is winding down at IRE, which means it is time for students to start applying for jobs/internships, if they have not already. This is a stressful and anxious time for many students. Making sure resumes and cover letters sound good and are error free. Sending out resumes and just waiting for responses. 

Then when the responses come there are two things that can happen, rejection or a chance to move further in the process. I feel IRE has worked hard to prepare us for either event. I saw that a post was made earlier about the job search preparation that has happened at IRE. It was a great experience. It provided us with a warm up game, so to speak. It also gave the faculty members a good opportunity to explain that you don’t get an interview for every job you apply for. It was said that one important part of applying for jobs is accepting rejection. I encourage my peers to continue applying and to keep in mind all the good advice that was given over the semester.

Proofread by: Emmy Stage