Educational CNC router machine tool a big success

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 12, 2001

Pupils at John Kelly Boys Technical College have recently submitted their Design and Technology coursework to GCSE Examination Boards, having used the Unimatic EduCAM 5 router machine tool

Pupils at John Kelly Boys Technical College have recently submitted their Design and Technology coursework to GCSE Examination Boards, having used the Unimatic EduCAM 5 (model GMF 4473) CNC (computer numerically controlled) router machine tool to process their CAD designs into finished products.

Flat-pack furniture and stool sculptures were among the machined items that pupils produced for their Design and Technology projects at the North London school, which has been using the Unimatic equipment since it was installed ready for this academic year.

"The students all love using the EduCAM 5 machine because they can safely see their designs becoming real working life sized products," says Martin Harvey, Director of Technology at John Kelly Boys.

"It's better than other educational routers, the capabilities of which are often limited to producing miniature or model products." He also praises the clear all-round visibility afforded the EduCAM, by the interlocked Perspex enclosure.

"For the educational experience it is vital that the kids can see what is going on from all sides as the product is being machined, yet we cannot allow their safety to be compromised." The EduCAM 5 is an affordable PC based CNC router with a process area of 730x440x160mm, which interfaces directly with any DXF, STL, HPGL, Fanuc or NC file from industry standard CAD/CAM software.

The guiding principle for the machine�s developers was that it should be able to machine any workpiece that users can design.

The EduCAM range of computer-controlled machine tools can route, drill, and engrave a range of materials including softwood, hardwood, acrylics, plastics and non-ferrous metals.

From designing the workpiece in any CAD/CAM package and selecting the correct tooling for the material, right through to controlling the machining in the actual production process, the EduCAM equipment relates directly to a host of National Curriculum Key Stage 3 and 4, GNVQ and A-level Directives.

John Kelly Boys is a designated Support Centre for the CAD/CAM Initiative, so has responsibility for training and supporting technology teachers in CAD/CAM across all of London and the South East.

To facilitate this Unimatic has set up a superbly equipped training centre at its North London headquarters, where the teachers attend module-based courses during weekdays and evenings.

This, says Martin Harvey, creates a perfect training environment: "It is fully equipped with EduCAM machines and laptops for the CAD/CAM programmes, yet there is a definite industrial atmosphere to the facility too � it feels like the real engineering world rather than a school classroom.

We have already used Unimatic�s HQ to train 200 teachers from 80 different schools." The CAD/CAM Initiative was established to address a nation-wide need for better CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacture) education.

This is run by the Department for Education, DATA (the Design and Technology Association) and software company PTC.

It is backed by manufacturing industry, which wants to ensure the Initiative�s direct relevance to the world of work.

The fact that EduCAM is used in manufacturing industry as well as in educational settings means its relevance to work is total!.