EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – Nov. 18, 2019 – The latest leading-edge technologies used in manufacturing today will be showcased in a hands-on Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Interactive Zone led by Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) at the Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM) annual “Future WorkForce Opportunities Fair” on November 20. The student-focused fair, which is free and open to the public, will run from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
CCAT has arranged to provide the ACM event with high-tech tools to l focus on the rewarding, high-tech, aerospace manufacturing career opportunities awaiting students today. More than 1,500 high school students from over 50 schools are expected to attend the morning event. The afternoon will be devoted to ACM member firms showcasing their technologies to existing and potential customers
“The Fair will give students and their families the chance to explore Industry 4.0 technologies and talk directly with nearly 100 leading area aerospace manufacturers about career opportunities,” said Alyce Stiles, CCAT’s associate director, experiential STEM education.
“We believe engaging events like the ACM WorkForce Opportunities Fair inspire students to consider a future in manufacturing and aid in creating the next generation of talented industry leaders.”
Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Interactive Zone
Attention-grabbing, action-based, and fully hands-on, the Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Interactive Zone will feature several app-based activities that use augmented reality.
From within the latest annual Hartford Business Journal publication, Cool Stuff Made in Connecticut, students will use “LivePortrait”, an app available through the App Store or Google Play. By positioning a tablet’s camera over a “LivePortrait” image, students will see a still frame transition to a short video clip describing “cool” companies in Connecticut.
Another app-based activity that uses augmented reality will let students produce a flying drone. Using the Smart Manufacturing, The Comic Book, and the SmartMFG app, students will be able to flip through the pages of the comic book, which depicts product design, retooling of a factory floor, and repair to a robot that has unexpectedly shut down.
As with the LivePortrait app, when a device’s camera is pointed at a target image in the comic book, the pages are animated so that students can then design, manufacture, and test a flying drone.
Smart Manufacturing, The Comic Book and the app were created by The Manufacturing Institute and MFG Day in partnership with Rockwell Automation and PTC, Inc.
In addition to the virtual reality apps, the Zone will include a hands-on activity that simulates production on a factory floor and demonstrates the skills required to be successful. The goal is to build a model airplane using Lego K’Nex pieces. Students are assigned to “work cells” and learn to work collaboratively to manufacture the model plane.
Partnering with Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. in the Interactive Zone is VRSim, a leading virtual reality company headquartered in East Hartford that develops immersive simulations and interactive software. VRSim will be featuring two activities focused on painting and welding called SimSpray and VRTEX. Using virtual reality tools, students will step into SimSpray’s virtual paint booth to finish coating car doors and practice welding with VRTEX’s virtual weld processes.
The Zone featured at the ACM event also will show videos from the 2018-2019 school video competition, “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing.” Produced by high school students from around Connecticut, the videos highlight students and manufacturers, and depict why the students think manufacturing is so cool.
“We have a highly skilled and productive workforce. A strategic location. A spirit of innovation. Not to mention a close-knit network of suppliers. This is why the region is a global hub for aerospace manufacturing. The Fair gives students and their families the chance to see for themselves the broad range of exciting job opportunities that are available today,” said Paul Murphy, executive director, ACM.
About CCAT
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., that creates and executes bold ideas advancing applied technologies, energy solutions, STEM education and career development, and export and cyber compliance. By leading state, regional, and national partnerships, CCAT helps manufacturers, academia, government and nonprofit organizations excel. Learn more at ccat.us or follow CCAT on Twitter – @CCATInc.
About Connecticut. Dream It. Do It.
Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. is part of The Manufacturing Institute’s nationwide effort to create a positive image of manufacturing today and to develop an awareness of the variety of rewarding career opportunities it offers. Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. is taking the lead in enhancing Connecticut’s current and future manufacturing workforce pipeline. Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) licenses and leads Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Learn more at ctdidi.com.
About ACM
Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM) is a consortium of independent Connecticut and Massachusetts aerospace manufacturers. ACM aims to attract the global aerospace marketplace to this unique fraternity of components manufacturers and suppliers who provide unmatched skill and quality products through lean operations and a shared business development network. ACM is The World’s Aerospace Alley! ® Visit www.aerospacecomponents.org.
###