Ulster BOCES Robotics Students Gain Haas Certification

Ulster BOCES Robotics Students Gain Haas Certification

Students in the Ulster BOCES Advanced Robotics & Manufacturing and Pre-University/New Visions Advanced Robotics & Engineering programs are building up their professional foundation by becoming certified CNC (computer numerical control) machine operators. Three Ulster BOCES Pre-University/New Visions Advanced Robotics & Engineering students and two Robotics & Advanced Engineering students, all from the Rondout Valley or Arlington Central School Districts, recently received their Haas Certification from Haas Factory Outlet, a Division of Allendale Machinery Systems, Inc.

The students participated in the hands-on portion of the test after completing a written section online. The hands-on portion was administered under the watchful eyes of Pre-University/New Visions Advanced Robotics & Engineering graduate Myles Harris, who is now working as an applications engineer at Haas.

Harris, who graduated in 2014, explained that holders of the certificate have demonstrated the basic knowledge needed to get started as a CNC machine operator or CNC machinist. All five students passed their tests and are now Haas-certified CNC machinists. They are: Pre-University/New Visions students Blake Hopper, Kendall Owens, and Cassidy Skogman and Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing student Zachary Rosa, all from the Rondout Valley Central School District, and Ethan Ihlefeldt, a Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing student from Arlington.

Hopper said this designation is going to be an asset for him in college and beyond. “This is a stepping stone. Learning how to operate these machines is important because they are so widespread in the industry,” he explained, adding, “I don’t think they have these machines in college and that’s why it’s important to get this experience now. At the college level, it’s more about the programs and not about how the product is manufactured.”

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