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By Whitney Turner
CLINTON, Tenn. (June 10) — At 17 years old, Leah Thelen is no stranger to Machine Tool Technology.
"I'm part of a FIRST Robotics Competition team," said Thelen. "So I work in a shop all the time, and I've done computer-aided design (CAD) for a couple of years now."
With a love of all things design, the homeschooled high school senior was eager to learn about computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).
"It's a skill I've always wanted to have," said Thelen. "So when I heard they were running the ACE Bootcamp [at TCAT Knoxville], I was really excited to get involved."
The five-day course from America's Cutting Edge (ACE) guides students through building an air motor from start to finish, covering CNC machining, additive manufacturing, tooling, metrology, workholding, statistical process control, and quality assurance.
"My favorite part [of the bootcamp] is probably after you finish designing something, and then you get to go watch it be machined and see all the tools that you were putting on your computer in real life. That's really cool," said Thelen.
TCAT Knoxville Machine Tool Technology Adjunct Instructor Chandler Hamm said the bootcamp is all about creating awareness for an in-demand career path.
"There's a big gap between older people who have been machining and the younger generations," said Hamm. "We are slowly running out of machinists, and we don't know how we're going to fill that gap unless people start to figure out that this is a good trade to go into."
For Thelen, the bootcamp answered questions she had about machining and reinforced her plans after graduation.
"I'm really interested in biomedical engineering and creating medical devices and getting into the material science of that," said Thelen. "So this helps a lot with understanding what kind of geometries can actually go on different types of machines and the different manufacturing processes."
At the end of the week, those who successfully complete the course earn two Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSO) credits toward future education and career goals, credits Thelen said will help with both her college applications and her work on the robotics team.
"It just gives me kind of something that I felt like I didn't have, being a girl on the team and not knowing how to use CAM. So now that I know, I feel like it gives me more confidence to go, and be like, 'I know what I'm talking about,'" Thelen said.
For more information on TCAT Knoxville's Machine Tool Technology program, visit the TCAT Knoxville website: www.tcatknoxville.edu.
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About TCAT Knoxville
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is at the forefront of technical education, offering a diverse range of programs that equip students with the skills needed for today’s workforce. As part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system and accredited by the COE, TCAT Knoxville ensures a high-quality educational experience focused on student success and job placement. TCAT Knoxville is led by President Kelli Chaney.