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A group of WNY P-TECH students are seen listening to Matthew McCullough, Continuous Improvement Specialist, and John Noel, Training Specialist from Wells Enterprises, Dunkirk, present the industry challenge via Zoom.
WNY P-TECH recently completed its Summer Bridge Program in Dunkirk. The week-long event culminated with an industry challenge, giving new and returning students a chance to get to know each other before the new school year.
Matthew McCullough, Continuous Improvement Specialist, and John Noel, Training Specialist, from Wells Enterprises Dunkirk, joined P-TECH students on the call.
“On the straight-line machine, the plates that carry the ice cream through the cooling tunnel are lifted by conveyor chain pins.” Noel explained.
McCullough explained that the conveyor system consists of 180 linear feet and individual plates that are joined together.
“The job is to design a system that will keep the plates in line and not pop off the track when you fix the corner leading into the ice tunnel.” McCullough said. “The solution must be made of stainless steel or food grade plastic, it must be able to absorb water and chemicals, and it must be clean.”
Students had one hour to break into small groups to discuss and design a solution for Noel and McCullough.
The ideas generated by the students varied from place to place and each solved the problem in their own way.
“The challenges our industry partners present to our students are the same challenges they face every day.” WNY P-TECH Principal William Smoak said. “Having our industry challenge at Summer Bridge gives our returning students an opportunity to hone their skills, and gives our new students a taste of what’s to come. At P-TECH we work on thinking outside the box, and these challenges are a perfect example of this.
As students worked to solve the problem, so did McCullum, who reported that many of the student ideas were his own. Student ideas include creating a Delrin strip on the pin to prevent it from popping, sensors that tell when the machine is unlocked, and adjustments to the pins themselves.
“I solved this problem while you guys were working, and we’ve saved a lot of what you just said.” he said. “We went with the L-bracket locked down and Delrin stripped on top, so we had no clothes. We put in a sensor so that anything too high going into the tunnel would stop the machine, and you guys had that. We also replaced the pin, removed the bushing, and put a cap on the top… great to see you working on these exercises.
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