San Quentin’s Vocational Machine Shop has once again shown that precision is award winning. Four students, Ed Ballenger, Steven Hayes, William Branson, and Anthony Adams, entered a project for the 2008 California State Fair. They manufactured and assembled a Magnetic Wave Machine that was designed by engineers at The Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum in San Francisco. The project was awarded first place and outstanding group project in the Industrial & Technology Education Competition General Technology Group Project, Division 0755, Adult Class. The project was judged as excellent in general appearance, function/practicality, general finish, and workmanship. The judges comments were as follows: “Belongs in a museum or Exploratorium,” “State Fair quality work,” “Great job, highest quality, quality documentation,” and “Best work I have seen in years.”
This was the first complete Magnetic Wave Machine that the Machine Shop has manufactured. A couple of years ago, two other students manufactured parts for the original Magnetic Wave Machine that was later assembled by The Exploratorium and put on display at the museum. The original project was able to happen through a partnership with the non-profit museum that supplied all of the necessary tooling and materials while the students provided the labor. The partnership with The Exploratorium and other non-profit organizations allow students the opportunity to work on industry projects while also giving back to the community.
Mr. Saenz, the shop instructor, was so impressed with the display at the museum that he wanted an example built for the shop. He also wanted to enter the project in the State Fair hoping to duplicate the first place awards received by three of his students in the 2004 State Fair for a commemorative medallion.
The students machined the key parts from 6061 Aluminum utilizing a Haas Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Vertical Machining Center. The students are learning how to operate and set-up the machining center. They are also learning to program the machining center using ESPRIT 2008 CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) software donated by D.P. Technology. The machining center was donated by the Haas Foundation in 2002 along with a CNC Turning Center. The donations of this equipment and software allow the students to obtain up-to-date training to prepare them for working in the machine tool industry.
The students truly thank the generosity of Mr. Saenz, Ms. Sheldon, and the other San Quentin teachers that pitched in to donate the bearings and silicone-rubber tubing that were needed for the project. Without their support the project would have never been completed.
Mr. Hayes was very fortunate to recently parole. His parole officer granted authorization for him to travel to Sacramento where he accepted the first place and outstanding group project awards at the State Fair on August 14, 2008. Mr. Hayes is currently furthering his education and working to support his family utilizing the skills he learned in the San Quentin Vocational Machine Shop. The craftsmanship and dedication to learning the skills of a machinist allowed all four of these men to earn another win for San Quentin’s Vocational Machine Shop. The prize that is even more important than the ribbons is the skills these men are learning that will allow them to be productive, contributing, and successful citizens upon their re-entry into society as Mr. Hayes is currently showing us all.
