Students in several of Kishwaukee College Career Technologies programs collaborated to create an end-loader bucket this spring. Career Technologies, Coordinator of Maintenance Services at the College, wanted to duplicate a specific end-loader bucket design and asked the Career Tech division if the students could re-create it. Gommel supplied the materials and the students gained real-life experience in design and manufacturing collaboration.
Students in Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) 153/253 Advanced CAD/Mechanical Design took measurements of the original end-loader. The students divided up the design components to give each student an opportunity to participate and also to learn to collaborate in the design process, a skill that they will need when they enter the workforce. Participating CAD students were Max Garcia, Genoa; Patrick Stevens, Rochelle; Jacob Felz, DeKalb; Kevin Wolfe, Crystal Lake; and Mike Walsh, Genoa.
When the design was complete, students in Welding Technology and Automated Engineering Tech built the end loader from raw material. The Welding students created the larger parts, using a variety of equipment to shear the metal and form the curved design prior to welding. Participating Welding students were Andrew Dirienzo, Sycamore; DJ Dirienzo, Sycamore; and Matt Cornell, Genoa.
To create the smaller components to meet the specification required the use of both Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and traditional Tool and Die processes. Jim Gavin, Genoa, in MT 216, Fabrication Processes, and instructor Pete Campbell, created the bushings for the pins to hold the bucket to the tractor. The two turned them on the lathe and drilled the holes using the CNC machine.
The result is an end-loader bucket that was exactly what Dave Gommel had wanted, with the addition of the signature Kishwaukee College initials and the Career Tech division name!
For more information on Career Technologies programs, visit here or call the Career Technologies division at 815-825- 9303. Registration for Fall 2017 is currently in progress; classes begin August 21.
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4 Comments
Sounds like they may have also gotten experience in how to “borrow” intellectual property.
Interesting thought…
Only thing borrowed were dimensions and the location of mounts for the pins, this bucket uses more reinforcement and has better craftsmanship won’t find tig welds like that on a factory bucket
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Reverse engineering is what it is called in the industry.