MSOE’s Rapid Prototyping Consortium Continues a Long Standing Tradition of Research and Innovation in Additive Manufacturing Industry

October 19, 2014

MSOE’s Rapid Prototyping Consortium Continues a Long Standing Tradition of Research and Innovation in Additive Manufacturing Industry

2014, All-State Industries, Barry Butters, meeting, Mike Reader, Milwaukee, Milwaukee School of Engineering, MSOE, October 17, Precision Plus, Rapic Prototyping Consortium, Rapid Prototyping Research, Reed Pulver, Sheku Kamara, TetraLattice, Vito Gervasi

Michael Reader

Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training were asked to speak at the October 17, 2014 meeting of the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Rapid Prototyping Consortium. The meeting also featured Reed Pulver, National Accounts Manager of All-State Industries and Vito Gervasi Director or R&D, Rapid Prototyping Research. Tom Bray, Dean of Applied Technology Center at MSOE began the meeting with a presentation on the history of the organization and recognition of long standing members.

For over 23 years, the consortium has forged together one of the most successful academic-industry partnerships in additive manufacturing, and is a powerful ally to businesses to drastically cut down on the turnaround time for producing a prototype. A driving force of the consortium has been MSOE’s Rapid Prototyping Research Department, which is credited with many rapid prototyping research accomplishments, such as creating—and patenting– a complex, three dimensional lattice structures modeled after the atomic bond structure found in diamond (TetraLattice), and developing an algorithm to produce the first complex protein model built using rapid prototyping.

The Rapid Prototyping Consortium has consistently been at the forefront of technology. “Today, with its 10 installed systems and over 15 material choices, the center supports about 65 consortium companies on a daily basis with their new product development needs.” Among member organizations, the consortium includes not only industrial companies, but also educational institutions.

Rapid Prototyping Center’s tagline is “Use tomorrow’s technology today.” Sheku Kamara is the director of the consortium.

Industry News

October 15, 2014

Blackhawk Technical College Relocates Its Advanced Manufacturing Center to Milton, Wisconsin

2-year technical programs, Advanced Manufacturing Center, balanced programs, Barry Butters, Blackhawk Technical College, board member, certifications, flexible programs, manufacturing., Milton, new facility, state-of-the-art, Wisconsin, work and study

Michael Reader

From the moment someone walks through the doors of the new facilities of Blackhawk Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center in Milton, Wisconsin, there is no question that it will be an awe-striking experience.

Subtly reminding visitors that the perception of ‘dark and dirty manufacturing’ is clearly a thing of the past, the entire facility gleams with impeccable setups for students to learn different aspects of the art of manufacturing.

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Precision Plus is proud to support this organization and its endeavors. Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, serves on the Blackhawk Technical College Career and Technical Education Committee. The committee is required to meet twice a year and the meetings are open to the public. One of the main focuses of the committee is to develop curricula that is flexible enough to support work/study schedules. In addition to being able to complete a two-year degree with a variety of manufacturing specializations, students can return at later points to add certifications.

A prime example of how Blackhawk is addressing the work/school balance is student Brad Pearson, who was a Precision Plus apprentice last year and continues to work for the company on a part-time basis, but is also attending Blackhawk Technical College pursuing a CNC Technical Degree.

Precision Plus congratulates Blackhawk Technical College on launching such as state-of-the-art facility.

Educational Development

October 10, 2014

Precision Plus Participates at Beloit Memorial High School’s Career Fair

2014, Barry Butters, Beloit, Beloit Memorial, Career Fair, high school, Inc., October 6, participation, Precision Plus, STEM, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

In a continued outreach to area schools, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus spent the morning of October 6, 2014 at Beloit Memorial High School’s Career Fair.

We have developed a great working relationship with the Beloit School District with tours of our facility for their administration and teachers, classroom visits for presentations about manufacturing, and financial support for robotics clubs. We were more than happy to help out when Ryan Rewey the Director of Career & Technical Education at Beloit reached out for our participation in the fair. What was unique to this career fair was that it included opportunities for elementary, middle school as well as the high school students. We will be also supporting the next Beloit Memorial venture on October 21^st at 6:00pm when they introduce a new Career and Technical Education program. – Barry Butters

Here are some highlights from Beloit Memorial High School Career Fair:

	Butters explaining to a high school student how the bottle filling component is machined.
	A high school student examines a component with an eyeloop to see the surface finish.
	A group of high school students who visited the table.
	A group of middle school students who visited the table.
	A group of elementary students who visited the table.

Company Updates

October 6, 2014

MFG DAY 2014 Celebrated at Precision Plus in Elkhorn, Wiscosin with an Open House and Tour

2014, Autodesk, classroom, closing the skills gap, Elkhorn, Ken Turner, Mayor of Elkhorn, MFG DAY, October 2, Open House, Parker Hannifin, PartMaker, Precision Plus, Quick Coupling Division, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On Thursday, October 2, 2014, Precision Plus welcomed the community, educators, students, the Mayor of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and representatives from several companies to an open house to celebrate MFG DAY 2014—a nationwide event to celebrate manufacturing in the U.S.

Mike Reader, President and Barry Butters, Director of Training and Education, kicked off the evening with a presentation on the history of Precision Plus , and what initiatives are firmly in place to close the existing manufacturing skills gap. Later, Barry Butters gave the audience an overview of how the classroom capabilities are a key element in this initiative, acknowledging the important support from Autodesk and PartMaker. Mike and Barry also shared the company’s current expansion plans.

The keynote speaker, was Ken Turner, Division Supply Chain Manager of Parker Hannifin Corporation’s Quick Coupling Division. His presentation included a detailed explanation of how some of the components manufactured by Precision Plus become a part of Parker Hannifin’s products.

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The evening ended with a guided tour of Precision Plus’ facilities.

We look forward to MFG DAY 2015, and look forward to the milestones that will be met in the year to come.

Community Involvement

October 4, 2014

Precision Plus Sponsored Students from Six Area High Schools to Attend the 2014 IMTS in Chicago

Badger H.S., Big Foot H.S., Delavan-Darien H.S., East Troy H.S., Elkhorn, Elkhorn Area H.S., IMTS, International Manufacturing Technology Show, Precision Plus Inc., Union Grove H.S., Wisconsin

Michael Reader

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), held every other year at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, is one of the largest industrial trade shows in the world, and it is attended by more than 100,000 people.

On September 8, 9, and 10, 2014, Precision Plus had the opportunity to sponsor a field trip for approximately 150 students representing six area high schools: Big Foot H.S., Badger H.S., Delavan-Darien H.S., Union Grove H.S., Elkhorn Area H.S. and East Troy H.S.

The students had the opportunity to visit many booths, including companies that featured robotics, 3D printing and much more.

We have received several letters and emails from the schools educators attesting to the excitement of the kids after having the experience of going to the IMTS.

Company Updates

October 2, 2014

Precision Plus’ Building Expansion Design and Construction Moving Forward

70000 sq. ft. build out, addition, construction, construction began, Elkhorn, expansion, Inc. Excel Engineering, Magill Construction, Precision Plus, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On September 30, 2014 Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus of Elkhorn, WI met with Excel Engineering and Magill Construction to review the expansion project that will put the company at 115,000 square foot capacity when all completed.

Here’s how the project began:

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Community Involvement Industry News

October 1, 2014

PMPA Wisconsin Annual Golf Outing at Lake Lawn Resort a Great Success

annual golf outing, Barry Butters, Bill Wells, Inc., Lake Delavan, Lake Lawn Resort, Mike Reader, PMPA, Precision Plus, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Bill Wells, Precision Plus’ Director of Engineering, organized the PMPA (Wisconsin Chapter) Annual Golf Outing at Lake Lawn Resort on Delavan Lake, which took place on September 24, 2014. Eighty-eight golfers participated in the event, which kicked off the 2014-2015 programs for the Precision Machined Products Association members. The weather was perfect for a good game of golf, and the event culminated with a wonderful dinner and door prizes by the lake.

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Community Involvement

October 1, 2014

Precision Plus is an Active Member of the Communities in Which We Live and Operate

Barry Butters, Bill Wells, EEDA, Elkhor Economic Development Alliance, Elkhorn, Jeff Lemmermann, Mike Reader, Milwaukee School of Engineering, MSOE University, Municipal League of Chicago, PMP, Precision Machine Technology Show, Precision Plus Inc., PTMS, Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, Waukesha Business Alliance, WCEDA, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, operates on a focused vision based on four pillars: integrity, empowerment, innovation and respect. That is a principle that we apply both internally and externally. We believe that the communities in which we live and operate are an integral part of our operation, and that our participation is a testament to our commitment.

Our officers and directors believe it is important to lead by example. The following represents our involvement with our local and professional communities during September.

Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training is now serving on the Education Committee for the Waukesha Business Alliance. He is part of a subcommittee that is working to update the Education Policy Statement.

Butters is also serving as the Secretary for the Elkhorn Economic Development Alliance (EEDA). The EEDA is forming as an LLC with Memorandum of Understandings with the City of Elkhorn and the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA). The group will be the first response team working with businesses relocating to our community.

Bill Wells, Director of Sales and Engineering and Mike Reader, President and CEO, are both part of the committee that is organizing the next Precision Machine Technology Show (PTMS) promoted by both Gardner Business Media and the PMPA. The show is scheduled for April 21-23 in Columbus, Ohio.

Jeff Lemmermann, CFO and CIO, presented on the subject of securing municipal information before the Illinois Municipal League of Chicago on September 20, during their 2014 annual conference at the Chicago Hilton.

Mike Reader, President and CEO, accepted an invitation by Frank Habib, Vice President of Development at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) to join their Corporate Board of Directors.

Bill Wells, Director of Sales and Engineering, coordinated a golf outing for the Wisconsin Chapter of the PMPA. The event took place at Lake Lawn Resort and was attended by eighty-eight business professionals.

Community Involvement Company Updates

September 22, 2014

Precision Plus Invites the Community to Their MFG Day 2014 Open House

2014, Elkhorn, Manufcturing Day, MFG DAY, movement, October 2, Open House, open to all, Precision Plus, Thursday, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On Thursday, October 2, 2014, Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin will host an open house to celebrate MFG DAY 2014. The community is invited.

Precision Plus Featured in Wisconsin STEM Pathways Magazine, Fall 2014

2014, apprenticeships, article, Classroom in the Workplace, Companies in the Classroom, Fall, in house, Internships, Mike Reader, PDF, Precision Plus Inc., Wisconsin STEM Pathways

Michael Reader

Precision Plus is honored to be featured in the latest issue of Wisconsin STEM Pathways Magazine. The article, entitled Companies in the Classroom–Putting the Classroom in the Workplace, chronicles the company’s two year journey from a concept to the reality of having an internship and a apprenticeship program for high school and college students, as well as a fully equipped classroom within its facilities. To download a PDF of the complete article, click here.

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