---

Students modify insertion machine

---

A Solutions Center team of Industrial Technology students, working on a project funded by Haeger, Inc., Oakdale, CA, designed and produced a prototype insertion machine. This machine was displayed in November 2001 at the Fabtech manufacturing trade show in Chicago, Illinois. The Solutions Center started working with Haeger, in the fall of 2000 on a yearlong project conceived to bring new design ideas to a company already manufacturing high-end fastener insertion machines. The goal was to come up with a new design with specific requirements at about one-half the cost of the existing product line. Haeger had identified the need to be competitive in the market at a lower price level, but did not have the time to devote engineers to this project.

The first semester team was charged with planning the design of a new machine, based on the elements of the existing line of insertion machines already in production. During the second semester another team of students made the prototype machine from the plans submitted by the first team.

In a letter to the Solutions Center, Rob McIntosh, President of Haeger, Inc., stated: "The Solutions Center was a key part of the development of Haeger's new 412 for a number of reasons. First, the work undertaken by the Fresno State team gave legs to the project at a time when Haeger's resources were buried with other significant development projects. Second, the teams explored ideas with few preconceived notions, and wound up showing us possibilities that might not otherwise have been given that level of attention. Third and somewhat serendipitously, as the second semester team was wrapping up, the market pressure to add such a model to our lineup intensified."

In this case, a student team, coached by faculty advisor, Dr. Tony Au, Department Chair and Professor of Industrial Technology, provided the support the company needed to get a new product on the market. The project allowed senior students the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with a company as if they were part of the production team. They now enter the working world as graduates that have more than just class work on their resumes. They have solved a real-world problem by learning to work together as part of a team and they have developed contacts in their field of expertise.

Team members designing the machine during the fall 2000 semester were: Patrick Seames (team leader), Brian Griffin, Victor Leyva, Timothy O'Dea, Danny Solano. Team members on the prototype production team in the spring of 2001 were: David Krieger (team leader), Mel Abalos, Tate Altenstadter, Jackie Small.

Each semester the Solutions Center organizes projects in various areas. For further information about the program please visit out Web site www.csufresno.edu/solutionscenter.

Back to University Journal, 12/10/01 Issue