When it’s time for the giraffes to eat at the Asheboro, N.C. Zoo, supervisors found that the current feeding system didn’t allow the zookeepers enough room to place food, space for enrichment activities, and enough height to reach the giraffes. This is where the students of Randolph Community College’s Welding Technology program came into the picture.
These students designed a feeding system that offers more options for the giraffes during their meals and reaches a full 18 feet off the ground. The students spent a hot, humid July day removing the old feeding basket and then installing the new feeding basket that they had fabricated beforehand.
Welding Industry
Lincoln Electric Acquires Air Liquide Welding
“Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:LECO) is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced transaction to acquire Air Liquide Welding, a subsidiary of Air Liquide. Under the terms of the agreement, the purchase price was €115 million (approximately USD$134 million), including the assumption of certain debt obligations. The Company funded the transaction with available cash on hand.”
Welding Jobs
Community College Prepares Students for AWS Certification
“The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College now offers two welding certificates for students interested in pursuing a career in welding and becoming certified by the American Welding Society (AWS). There are many good-paying jobs in Lake County and elsewhere in this exciting trade.
The 12-unit Welding Certificate of Achievement allows students to get started in the program and to prepare for AWS certification. The 19-unit Advanced Welding Certificate of Achievement provides students with advanced skills and abilities that are useful for any job in the welding industry.”
Community College Welding Course Links Students to Local Jobs
“Wallace Community College has added Industrial Welding to its list of technological programs. It is a 12-week program that will prepare students for employment in the welding industry as structural welders in a production environment.
Director of Workforce Development, Joe Johnson, said students will gain hands-on experience as well as an overview of blueprint reading and basic mathematics. ‘Everyone that’s in the program, the skill sets are just designed for the companies in our area, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, and various types of welding,’ said Mr. Johnson.”
Welding Education
Oregon High School Doubles Capacity of Welding Lab
“Oregon High School unveiled its new welding lab last week with an eye on the future. The new lab is built for efficiency, safety, and group learning and will be ready for business at the beginning of the new school year.
OHS officials toured the new lab on July 17. Technical Education Director Josh Nelson said he’s excited to show it off to people, but even more excited to welcome more students throughout the school year.”
Western Nevada College Receives Donated Welder
“Western Nevada College’s Welding Technology program recently received a donation that will help welding students become more versed and marketable in the future.
Southwest Gas donated a Lincoln 300 Classic arc welder to the WNC Foundation that professor Randy Naylor will be able to use in his welding classes in the Andy Butti Welding Technology Center.”
Welding Events
FABTECH
Nov 6, 2017 – Nov 9, 2017
North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to McCormick Place in Chicago, IL – November 6-9, 2017. The upcoming event is expected to cover more than 725,000 net square feet and anticipates over 40,000 attendees and 1,700 exhibiting companies.
Welding Gone Wrong
Welder Sparks Grass Fire
“A small grass fire threatened three buildings Wednesday evening near Clyde, and while the wind may be partly responsible for starting the fire, it also helped stave off further disaster.
Callahan County Sheriff’s Office deputies told KTXS the fire started around 7:30 p.m. on Interstate 20 just west of Buck Creek Road when wind caught sparks from a welder and ignited the dry grass. Deputies said the welder did have a rubber mat and proper safety equipment.”
Welding Sparks Create 60 Acre Fire
“A fire that burned through 60 acres in Cedar Creek Wednesday was ignited when sparks from workers welding a fence caught dry grass on fire, officials said.
The blaze was initially estimated between 5 to 10 acres in size but was later confirmed to have reached 60 acres after having ignited along the 100 block of Maple Drive, about 2 miles south of Texas 21 and a mile west of FM 535.”
