HYD-MECH DONATES SAW TO UACCM

Saw manufacturer Hyd-Mech donated a new S-23A automatic scissor style band saw to the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton for use in technical training.

From left, UACCM Technology Instructor Robby Tipton accepts the training
saw from HYDMECH Chief Operating Officer Mike Miller, along with
Darren Jones, Robert Keeton, Diana Arn, and Greg Hunt. 

The saw arrived on campus during the late fall and is the newest addition to a technology lab currently being renovated at the college to allow for expansion.  The saw will eventually be housed in UACCM’s new Workforce Training Center on the west side of campus along with many technical classrooms and state-of-the-art lab spaces.

Hyd-Mech opened its Conway facility in 2005 and just recently added a showroom there as well.  Chief Operating Officer Mike Miller who works at the Ontario, Canada office and Conway Plant Manager Greg Hunt visited UACCM in November to present the saw to faculty and staff members.  They shared information about the S-23A model and other saws manufactured by Hyd-Mech reporting that parts of the saws come from as far as Italy and Canada and as close as Russellville and Cabot to be assembled at the Conway plant.

Miller said, “This base comes from local suppliers, and we’re really glad to be able to support people and the community.”

Students will use the saw to better understand the inner workings of hydraulics machinery.  UACCM Technology Instructor Robby Tipton has big plans for the tool that center around situations students are likely to encounter in the workplace such as making repairs to the saw and utilizing key safety techniques when dealing with the machine.

HYDMECH COO Mike Miller discusses
the precision of the S-23A band saw.

Tipton explained, “The plans are to have students identify objects on the machine in the early stages of our programs, to be able to know that the electrical, mechanical, and hydraulics tie together.”  He went on to say, “I cannot stress enough the importance of safety.  Students will also learn the things that can happen out in the real world like pinch points, electrocution, and saw blade injuries.  There is also the in-depth process of bugging the machine and having students use critical thinking to fix it.”

Hyd-Mech has partnerships with many schools across North America similar to its new relationship with UACCM.  Miller commented, “UACCM’s program really intrigued me; for the instructors to ‘break’ the saw and then have the students responsible for fixing it is an excellent way to learn. Normally, we’re donating a saw for students to use for cutting and welding and fabricating metal.  But UACCM’s program is very unique, and we’re really glad to be able to support it.”

Students working to complete a degree or certificate in many of the technical programs offered at UACCM will have an opportunity to learn by using the saw in Mr. Tipton’s classes.

For more information about Hyd-Mech and its products, visit www.hydmech.com.  To learn more about programs offered at UACCM, go to www.UACCM.edu.