Uplift Hampton’s Computer Integrated Manufacturing class visited Peterbilt Motors Company on March 2.
Barton Scott, high school engineering and robotics teacher at Uplift Hampton wanted scholars to get a first hand look of what they were learning in the classroom, in the workforce.
About 22 Uplift Hampton scholars toured Peterbilt Motors Company and learned how robotics are helping to manufacture commercial trucks.
“We were pleased to host the students from Uplift Hampton Preparatory at our manufacturing facility and show the many advanced processes and technologies we use in the production of our premium heavy-duty trucks,” said Ron Augustyn, Peterbilt Denton Plant Manager. “These are students studying computer integrated manufacturing and one day soon will be the professionals designing, engineering and supporting the robotics and automation that are essential to Peterbilt manufacturing and many other industries.”
Uplift Hampton scholars in Computer Integrated Manufacturing use computer software programs to produce products. The group has been using Autodesk, Inventor, Aspire, AutoCad and the CNC milling machine to create small signs. The seniors even printed a portrait of Uplift Education CEO, Yasmin Bhatia and presented it to her in the fall semester.
“You would think that it would take so much time to build these trucks but I guess because of the robots along with people they are able to make the trucks faster,” said Kennedy Dunlap a senior at Uplift Hampton.
Scholars were amazed to see from beginning to end the complete assembly of two semi-trailers during their tour. Peterbilt constructs about 80 trailer trucks each day from beginning to end with the use of robotics.
“Other then when they were out for lunch, the assembly line kept going and they had to put together the parts on to the truck while it was moving on the assembly line and then move it to another assembly line to put the lights on,” said Dunlap.
One person controlled four robotic hands said Tiffany Lucio a senior at Uplift Hampton. While the company has more people then robots on the manufacturing floor, Dunlap said a great deal of the work was completed by the robots. Lucio said Mr. Scott told scholars after the field trip, their next project would be building a robotic arm to be used in an assembly line.
“I use to look at the trucks like cars but now I see it completely different because I saw how it is put together,” said Miriam Vaca a senior at Uplift Hampton.
Vaca has two family members who drive tractor trailers and said the manufacturing process gave her a different look at the work that goes into producing the vehicle.
The scholars also heard about internship opportunities at Peterbilt available to college students.
Uplift Voices 