Sparks are flying and metal is screeching in the Intro to Welding class at Apollo High School. Students are hard at work designing metal end tables. The most exciting part for these students is the use of the newly acquired and technologically advanced plasma cutter.
Students have chosen a cut-out design for their tabletop. With the new plasma cutter, a process in which an accelerated jet of hot plasma cuts through metal, they are able to import images into the computer, adjust size and measurement on an electronic grid, and layout where the image will be cut out of the large piece of sheet metal. Within a matter of minutes, the design is cut from a piece of sheet metal and ready for grinding.
In the background, students are grinding their cut-outs to smooth edges in preparation for welding their pieces together.
“There’s a huge vacuum for this kind of work,” says Mark Weimer, technical education teacher at Apollo. “It’s been building for about 15 years. You used to be able to just do it [the job] with your hands. Now, you have to know how to use a computer, too.”
Weimer is referring to CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) work: basically, any machine that is computer or robot controlled.
“We just toured three companies by Monticello,” explains Weimer. “They range from making medical parts to other machinery parts, but all have been CNC milled.”
The students in this class learn the old “with my own two hands” style as well as CNC. This entry level class gives them a taste of machinery, turning metal and how to work with a plasma cutter. The first advanced class in welding will be offered in the spring of 2017.
Tyler Evinrude, a 10th-grade student, is taking his first welding class.
“I took this class as an elective because it seemed like it would be fun. And it is a lot of fun!” says Evinrude.
Evinrude is currently working on a hanging plant holder.
“I’m definitely considering going into welding,” says Evinrude. “In this class, I’m learning to weld and what machines do what. There are so many aspects and so many different ways to get the same outcome.”
Symone Douglas, another 10th-grade student at Apollo, is also taking this class for the first time. Douglas was in an engineering class and had the opportunity to work on the lathe.
“I really enjoyed working on the lathe,” says Douglas. “So, I decided to take this class. I did it because I just wanted to experience it. I plan on going into psychology.”
Douglas is the only girl in the welding classes. She says, “It’s cool being in a class with all boys, but there is a little extra pressure to do a good job.”
However, Douglas doesn’t let that bother her.
“I’ve always been the handy person in my house,” she explains.
“If you want to take this course, there is a lot of measuring. Be good at it or learn to do it well during class,” Douglas advises.
The class has become so popular, they receive project requests.
Earlier this year, Weimer’s class received a request for podiums for an upcoming swim meet. The request came in on a Tuesday and the class had them finished by that Saturday meet. The podiums will also be used in the spring at track meets. The class will also be creating an art piece inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, “I Have A Dream.” The piece will be made with the wood from the old gymnasium floor of Apollo, laser engraved and have metal silhouettes.
“I’m going to make this my baby,” says Weimer of the welding program for District 742 students. “It’s got a long way to go to get it up to where I want it.”
Weimer, along with Douglas and Evinrude, encourage students to join the class. Even just for a bit of fun or experience.