Governor John Bel Edwards and Haas Automation Inc. announced a partnership in which Louisiana will become the first state in the U.S. to install advanced Haas 5 axis machining centers in every community and technical college in the state.
The Universal Machining Centers from Haas enable the automated production of parts on five vertical, horizontal and rotational axes at one time.
CNC, or computer numerical control, automation enables a trained operator to oversee production with accuracy, precision and efficiency.
Job candidates with 5-axis CNC skills are highly sought-after by advanced manufacturers, which is why Louisiana Economic Development’s LED FastStart program and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System created the partnership to install the equipment at every LCTCS college.
By building machining skills, LED FastStart targets a wider spectrum of manufacturers, including those in the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors, while enhancing the competitiveness of existing manufacturers in the state.
Schools receiving Haas UMC-500 equipment and training packages are: Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Delgado Community College, Fletcher Technical Community College, Louisiana Delta Community College, Northshore Technical Community College, Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College, Nunez Community College, River Parishes Community College, South Louisiana Community College-Young Memorial Campus, and SOWELA Technical Community College.
The Haas UMC-500 requires little more floorspace than earlier-generation machining centers and has a base price beginning just under $125,000, said Scott Myre, president of Haas Factory Outlet/Trident Southeast LLC, which distributes and services the equipment for several states, including Louisiana, and the Caribbean. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.