As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and building strong communities, ARCH Cutting Tools Dayton (formerly Voisard Tool), in Dayton, Ohio, hosted a group of teachers from the AMBE (Auglaize Mercer Business Education) Alliance on July 16. Shelly Busse, of the AMBE was responsible for coordinating the visit.
The AMBE mission is to create a bridge between area businesses and schools to connect students to career opportunities in Auglaize and Mercer counties. Through this partnership, students are exposed to experts and companies that help them build career paths.
Nicki Garke, Office Manager, helped support the AMBE Alliance visit and John Inskeep, Plant Manager welcomed the teachers at the start of the day. John and Nicki teamed to introduce the group to the operations at the facility and what they were about to see throughout the tour. Nicki also reviewed the site’s involvement with the annual Manufacturing Day in October, the nationwide day that industry and education partner to share insight into the multitude of jobs available in manufacturing.
Several key members of the management team participated, to provide the visiting teachers with a detailed look at the plant operations and related opportunities.
Those management team members included Jeremy Yagle, Production Supervisor, who led the group to the Quality area where Derreck Smith, Inspection/Quality, a 16-year industry veteran, explained the high-tech quality equipment used to check the accuracy cutting tools and their performance, to assure quality products.
The next stop was the Beamer Laser Marking System. There, Connie Millhouse, who manages the marking for all the cutting tools at the plant, explained the role of laser cutting and etching and its importance in the manufacturing process.
Jason Roll, Production Control Manager, provided a programming presentation, helping the teachers understand the software and processes used to design the machines, as well as programming to manufacture tools. He explained that the software also allows he and the operator to run a full simulation to review the machining for any errors before running the job.
The last stop took the visitors to Nick Ellis a 10-year veteran machinist in the finish grinding area, who reviewed the Walters grinders and all the automation that is built into the machines to make sure they run efficiently.
This deep dive by teachers involved with the AMBE Alliance provided them with insight that will help them guide students to future careers in manufacturing and a better understanding of how we engage our employees.
