Airtronics Metal Products, Inc. provides classroom instruction and guided plant tours to SJSU Mechanical Engineering students
SAN JOSE, CA. –January 21, 2009 – Airtronics Metal Products, Inc., a premier Silicon Valley custom sheet metal engineering, design and manufacturing company, has established an educational outreach program with San Jose State University to help Mechanical Engineering students gain knowledge about the technology of sheet metal fabrication. The program includes both in-classroom instruction and on-site tours at Airtronics’ manufacturing plant to help provide students with a “real-world” perspective for developing products and housings fabricated from sheet metal. In addition, an engineering project is planned for early 2009 and Airtronics plans to offer select internships for eligible students.
According to Fred Barez, professor and chair of the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department at San Jose State University, “We welcome every opportunity for our MAE students to gain practical, hands-on, industry-relevant skills—sheet metal technology is a key component of many high-tech products manufactured right here in Silicon Valley.”
The program was initiated during the Fall 2008 Semester when Jeff Burke, Airtronics’ CEO and president, and Jim Ellis, vice president of engineering, made a presentation to the ME157 Mechanical System Design class (the highest-level Capstone class for graduating seniors). This was followed by an Airtronics plant tour on December 2, 2008 to demonstrate the high-tech machinery and advanced processes involved in today’s state-of-the-art sheet metal fabrication. According to Hee Man Bae, MAE professor, “It was an excellent tour, one that every student in my Manufacturing Processes class should attend. Plant tours like this bolster, and even motivate classroom learning.”
According to Jeff Burke, “Any ME who wants to work in the [Silicon] Valley would do well to spend some time gaining experience in a sheet metal company. Knowing how material responds to various processes would be an asset on their resume.” He adds that every chip and computer manufacturer needs sheet metal (housings, enclosures, networking chassis, sub-assemblies, etc.) for its products.
Michael Huynh, a mechanical engineer working in Silicon Valley and recent graduate from San Jose State University said, “Having opportunities in college to learn hands-on about manufacturing processes, such as sheet metal fabrication, has proven invaluable to me in solving real-world engineering challenges.”
Airtronics plans to expand its ME educational program in 2009 with classroom presentations, plant tours, internship opportunities, and even a design project. According to Burke, “Helping graduating MEs learn about sheet metal processes will add to their skill set and help them avoid common engineering pitfalls, and consequently reduce production costs and increase time-to-market for many high–tech products.”
About Airtronics
Airtronics Metal Products is a full-service, one-stop precision sheet metal products company that was founded in Silicon Valley in 1961. Today Airtronics provides standard and custom engineering, design, production and value added manufacturing services using the latest in CAD design, production equipment and ERP systems. From a spotless 65,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in San Jose’s Enterprise Zone, they serve technology leaders throughout Northern California and on a national basis. The company is ISO 9001 – 2000 Registered (UL) and may be reached at 408-977-7800 or on the web at www.airtronics.com.
About San Jose State University MAE Department
The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department at San Jose State University offers BS and MS degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. The department’s programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board on Engineering and Technology (ABET) and is nationally recognized by the US News and World Report Magazine. The MAE Department has over 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students, and is the largest undergraduate department and third largest department in the College.
Airtronics™ is a trademark of Airtronics Metal Products, Inc .
Contacts:
Jeff Burke Pres/CEO
Airtronics Metal Products, Inc.
408-977-7813