Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) have purchased multiple pieces of equipment integral to the university’s new advanced welding and fabrication technology program.
Nine major pieces were purchased with the funds from a Delta Regional Authority rural workforce grant awarded in October 2020. Grant funds also were used to buy smaller pieces of equipment for further development of the new welding and fabrication lab.
According to Chuck Cook, welding and fabrication instructor, the pieces are state-of-the-art and will prepare students for real-life work environments.
Equipment specifics
Items purchased include:
- Lincoln Electric Welder: Multi-process Power Wave 300C Advanced Education One-Pak welder
- A welding unit for classroom training
- Lincoln Electric Extractor Fume: Statiflex 200-M with Merv 14 Filter Dual Arm Welding
- These units are part of a welding package and attach to welding units to extract fumes from the building
- Cyclone 4826 Top Opening Sandblast Cabinet with dust extractor
- This machine forcibly propels a stream of abrasive material against a surface under high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface, or remove surface contaminants
- A pressurized fluid, typically compressed air, or a centrifugal wheel is used to propel the blasting material
- Piranha Iron Worker and Baileigh Hydraulic Metal Shear
- These machines will shear metal for tooling and fabrication.
- GMC 45 Ton CNC Hydraulic Press Brake
- This machine is used for forming and cutting metal for fabrication
- Track Torch
- This torch is for cutting and welding high quality cuts
- It works on a track and cuts metal as it travels based on programming
- 50 Ton Dual Speed Hydraulic Shop Press
- This press is used for fabricating pieces
- Lincoln Plasma Table, 4×10
- This is used for design and fabrication cutting of sheet metal
Input from valuable partners
“Our local employers have been valuable partners during the purchasing process and recommended equipment that will be used in the manufacturing setting,” said Director of Workforce Development Sheila Barton.
“Their input is important because the program will provide the hands-on training experience needed to meet a critical workforce shortage in the manufacturing industry in south-central Missouri,” she added.
The advanced welding and fabrication program will debut in the 2021 fall semester and will temporarily be housed at the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology (GOCAT). The welding lab will find a permanent home on campus at Broadway Hall, the one-time home of West Plains’ Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plant, once renovations are completed.
For more information about the advanced welding and fabrication technology program or to enroll, contact Barton at 417-255-7784 or sheilabarton@missouristate.edu.