Dunwoody College of Technology Alumni & Friends Magazine: Summer 2020

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DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY — A LU M N I & F R I E N D S M AGA Z I N E — S U M M E R 2 020

“I really think that this project brings out a lot of things that allow us to give our students a more real-world experience, which is really what Dunwoody is all about,“ said Brian Nelsen, Assistant Professor of Machine Tool Technology. “Plus we are getting to do something that really matters during this time.” To start the project, the team first had to develop a fixture plate that they could mount the sheets to, followed by a piece to hold the plastic in place. The students then used the four CNC mills in the College’s Machine Shop to produce the parts, which each took about three minutes to produce.

JOINING THE FIGHT Dunwoody has a long history of finding ways to help during times of need and during this current pandemic the tradition continues. Students and faculty from a multitude of academic programs have found ways to put their talents and skills to work in an effort to make a difference during this time of need.

Robotics & Manufacturing students and faculty partner with industry to make face shields The effort began in mid-March, when Dunwoody manufacturing faculty and students answered a call from Eden Prairie-based Stratasys to help produce face shields for workers in the medical field. The company coordinated the effort, which included more than 150 companies, universities, and even high-school robotics teams. Over the course of the next two months, the Dunwoody crew machined more than 20,000 face shields, which are desperately needed in the fight against COVID-19. “I’m proud of the faculty and students who have stepped up to help produce a piece of safety equipment our medical community so desperately needs,” said President Rich Wagner.

APRIL cont.

The polycarbonate face shields are being sent to hospitals for healthcare workers to use as part of their personal protection equipment.

The support doesn’t stop there. Faculty and students also built injection molds to make the plastic head pieces. This allowed them to produce upwards of 50 per hour. “I want to be a medical mold maker and make things for the medical industry, and this is just starting it a little early,” said student Ethan Miller, Machine Tool Technology.

Designing laser cut masks Members of the Dunwoody Architecture program put one of the College’s laser cutters to good use this spring when they designed a non-medical grade face mask that could be quickly produced in mass quantities. Led by Architecture Program Manager John Dwyer, AIA, the masks were then distributed out for free to organizations such as the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to help keep residents in our community safe. Thousands of the masks were distributed to organizations in need and used on Dunwoody's campus for visitors who need one.

Faculty member using 3D printing expertise to help health care workers Dunwoody alumna and 3D Printing Adjunct Instructor Jazmine Darden, ’17 Engineering Drafting & Design, has found a way to use her skills and her positivity to help others.

4/8 The College announces its decision to postpone Commencement.

4/17 Dunwoody Student Affairs hosts the virtual dance party Dunwoody@Nite to engage with students and employees in a fun way.

4/9 The Governor extends the Stay at Home order.

4/21 Dunwoody implements new cleaning and safety protocols, including: using a backpack sprayer to disinfect all areas of the building and kill any airborne virus; installing Plexiglas shields in high traffic areas such as the main entrance, the Learning Commons, and IT; installing touch-free handles at the main entrance; and sealing floors to make them easier to disinfect.

4/14 Dunwoody hosts its first virtual Open House.


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