WINONA, Minn. - The Gene Haas Foundation has donated $22,000 to Minnesota State College Southeast to support its CNC Machine Tool program.
Based at the Winona campus since 2015, the program has now received a total of $65,000 in grants from the foundation.
"We are so grateful for the support of the Gene Haas Foundation," says instructor Rick Hengel. "Their annual grants help our students afford college and participate in CNC competitions."
CNC stands for computer numerical control and refers to the computerized operation of machining tools used in manufacturing. CNC machines use pre-programmed software and codes, to tell each machine the exact movements and tasks to complete. CNC is used to operate things such as grinders, lathes, turning mills, lasers, and routers.
Minnesota State College Southeast says its students learn basic skills in machining technology and progress to the development of advanced CNC machining and programming skills by working with engineering drawings, CAD/CAM software, computer-controlled mills, lathes, and EDM machines.
A student team from Southeast won the 2023 national Project MFG Advanced Manufacturing Championship, which is supported by the Gene Haas Foundation. Prize money from that event helped make the purchase and installation of the new Haas 5-Axis CNC machine possible.