CNC Technology at Local High School Moves Wood Program to a New Level

In 2010, Stiles Machinery donated a used Heian router model NC 131P to the high school to introduce the concept of CAD/CAM, helping to educate and prepare the next generation of woodworkers.  The students have been using the router to create their own designs on everything from plaques to stools to skateboards. Almost 50 students are currently in the wood shop program.  Olga Niyibizi, a senior at East Kentwood, demonstrated her knowledge and skills on the machine for other students, explaining how she wrote three different lines of code for her Camp Blodgett plaques that she’ll use for the youth program she leads during the summer.  “Olga will be going to St. Mary’s College of Engineering next fall,” Randy Smith, technology teacher at the school, proudly boasts.  “She’s a leader with robotics here at the school, too.  This kind of exposure to CNC and CAD software will give our students an advantage before they even get to college, or the work force.”  Mr. Smith also cited that the entire wood shop faculty was deeply appreciative for the donation from Stiles which elevated their program to a new level.

Brandon Douglas, another talented wood shop student, has plans to attend Ferris State University in the fall and become a plastics engineer.  He commented on several failed attempts of a skateboard design at first, but now is much more comfortable with the programming aspect.  Brandon was grateful for the early exposure to this level of technology to prepare him for his college career.

Stiles Machinery has also donated a dovetailing machine to East Kentwood High School, which will be adopted into wood shop curriculum next year and will initially be used to construct frames.