Tiger Manufacturing has been gearing up to produce metal parts. In 2006 Tiger Mfg started and primary used a 5 foot by 8 foot Computer-Numerically-Controlled (CNC) machine to cut custom wood cabinet parts. That student run business paved the way for Tiger Mfg to purchase a brand new Haas 3-Axis Mini Mill to expand the business into the metals area. Last summer three staff members, Mr. Dorn, Mr. Honeysett and Mr. Ward attended a three day class at the Haas Factory Outlet in Plymouth, MN to get customized training on the operation and programming of the new CNC machine.
Eleven students (named in picture) have been transformed into machinists by learning how to read blueprints, use and read inspection equipment, design and program parts on the computer, create fixture to hold parts, set up and operate both manual and CNC lathes and mills. Students rotate to one of five adults to give them a technical level education opportunity in high school. Al Rand and Larry O’Connell volunteer daily to teach the students on the manual equipment. We are also fortunate to have a retired Nexen employee, Gene Stanchfield, who oversees the CNC production and inspection. Mr. Honeysett works alongside students on the new Haas CNC mill. I teach students in the classroom how to design and program the parts to be machined.
Our relationship with Nexen has always been great. For me it started in 1998 when Dan Conroy came and introduced himself and asked if there was anything Nexen could do for our program. He said, stop over at Nexen anytime and I’ll give you a tour. We were always in each other’s spaces simply because we cared about each other. Nexen was a huge partner in getting Tiger Mfg off the ground in 2006. A couple years ago they donated a Haas CNC lathe. Dan Gomulak has been maintaining that for us. Al Steiner has been mentoring me with programming parts. When the students need material for a project, tooling is needed, something breaks, Nexen is always willing to help. They have supported our program in so many ways, it is nice to be partnering with them.
This fall Tiger Mfg is manufacturing two parts for Nexen. The students produce a piston and bracket for a caliper. The students have to hold a .002” on the piston. That is like pulling a piece of your hair out and splitting it into three parts.
We took a field trip to see our parts get assembled and Nexen presented us with our first check. It was neat to see our work as part of an assembly and being shipped out worldwide as well as all the amazing machines they have. It is really mind boggling. It is also great for students to see the excellent career opportunity they have right in their backyard. There are wonderful people who work at Nexen and give back to our community.
|