MCC students Caleb Schuitema (left) and Bob Phleeger (right), posing with MCC Instructor Mark Houston, crafted a tow block for MCC’s record-setting electric dragster. Along with MCC student Tony Wortleboer, they earned second place at the AFS regional competition in Milwaukee on Feb. 12.
Vying against major universities, Muskegon Community College placed second in the 77th Annual Wisconsin Regional Foundry Conference and Exposition casting competition held Feb. 12 in conjunction with American Foundry Society (AFS) meeting in Milwaukee, WI.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville claimed the first place $2,000 prize, while MCC captured $1,000 for second place and the University of Northern Iowa took third place and a $500 award. The other entrants were: Michigan Tech University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University and Western Michigan University.
Three MCC applied technology students – Caleb Schuitema, Tony Wortleboer and Bob Phleeger – represented the AFS Student Chapter of MCC in Milwaukee, along with MCC Instructor Mark Houston, who teaches the Basic Cast Metals course.
The students designed and produced a sand-casted tow block for MCC’s 192-volt, world record-setting electric dragster, Short Circuit.
“The tow block allows the dragster to move laterally more easily at the track without damaging the front tires,” said MCC Instructor Jeff Johnston, who is the AFS Chapter advisor. “It helps reduce the turning radius and prevent damage to the vehicle between runs.”
Following last year’s second place at the same event, Houston began searching for a new project. He chose the tow block because it involves other areas of MCC’s technology program – welding and CAD/CNC. Johnston oversaw the CAD/CNC component, while MCC Instructor Mike Lorey supervised the welding.
Wortleboer began working on the tow block last year, while Schuitema, a pattern maker, and Phleeger, a welder, added their talents to finishing the product this year, explained Houston.
“Caleb is an outstanding student and is as good as I’ve seen at MCC,” said Houston. “His work ethic is exceptional.”
Houston singled out several local individuals and their companies for their strong support of the MCC project:
- Jeff Cook, sales manager, Eagle Alloy, Inc., Muskegon, MI, and the AFS director;
- Jay M. Morrison, technical sales, Carpenter Brothers, Inc., Muskegon, MI;
- William Bordeaux, production coordinator, Non-Ferrous Cast Alloys, Norton Shores, MI; and
- John Steger, HA International, Grand Rapids, MI.
For more information, contact Jeff Johnston at (231) 777-0246 or jeff.johnston@muskegoncc.edu