Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology Cluster

Advanced Manufacturing

About This Program

Advanced Manufacturing provides training and work experience across the broad spectrum of manufacturing equipment. Students learn how to manufacture metal parts using lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, and grinders. Students learn to design components on Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and build components of complex machinery including engines and tooling systems, to make robotics parts, and other projects that require precision design, manufacturing and assembly using principles of engineering. See below for full course descriptions.

Career Paths

  • Precision Machinist
  • CNC Set-up Programmer
  • Tool and Die Maker
  • Production Manufacturing
  • Machinist/Mechanic
  • Research and Development

Industry Partnerships

  • Synventive Modeling Solutions
  • Auto Industrial Machine
  • Snyder Machine
  • Compumachine
  • SkillsUSA

Certifications

  • OSHA 10 Hour General Industry
  • MACWIC
  • Manufacturing Advancement Center
  • Workforce Innovation Collaborative

Articulation Agreements

  • North Shore Community College – Danvers
  • Massachusetts Statewide Community College

Advisory Committee Members

  • Charlie Anastos, Harmonic Drive
  • Bruce Boisselle, Whittier Tech
  • Elaine Brown, Inkcups Now
  • Tracey Cahalane, Microline Surgical
  • Paul Coz, Gortons (Paul Soucy)
  • John Donald, Raytheon, Co.
  • Barbara Dunn, Elevator Interior Design
  • John Flinn, Innovent Technologies
  • Robert Franklin, General Electric
  • Gina Frey, North Shore Community Action Programs
  • Paul Hoff, Crystal Engineering
  • Chip Holm, Specialized Turning
  • Bailey Kaplan, Synventive
  • Andrea Kelly, Harmonic Drive
  • Bob Laurano, Yarde Metals
  • John Macdonald, Paradigm Precision
  • Kim McFarlane, Lynn Vocational Technical School
  • Bill Marnik, General Electric
  • Peter Meymaris, Crystal Engineering
  • Paul Moskevitz, Whittier Tech
  • Mike Munday, Arwood Machine Corp
  • Brian Norris, NAMC
  • Kate O’Malley, MASSHire
  • Rich Oliver, Oliver Welding & Fabricating Inc.
  • Dianne Palter Gill, North Shore Community College
  • Celina Pendexter, Commonwealth of MA
  • Christopher Phelps, Synventive
  • Ashley Ritchie, General Electric
  • Sandro Russo, Prattville Machine
  • Mary Sarris, MASS Hire
  • Wayne Spritz, AW Chesterton Company
  • Christopher Stempek, Arwood Machine Corp
  • Michelle Stracqualursi, Salem Metal, Inc.
  • Helene VanDernoot, Corporate Training Solutions

Meet the Advanced Manufacturing Teachers

Mr. Craig Currie

Advanced Manufacturing Teacher
ccurrie@essextech.net

Mr. John Mahar

Machine Tool Technology Teaching Assistant
jmahar@essextech.net

Mr. Robert Trottier

Advanced Manufacturing Teacher
RTrottier2@essextech.net

Advanced Manufacturing Course Descriptions

Course NumberNameCreditGrade Level
am101Advanced Manufacturing Exploratory 91Grade 9
am103Advanced Manufacturing 910Grade 9
am200Advanced Manufacturing 1016Grade 10
am201Advanced Manufacturing Theory 104Grade 10
am300Advanced Manufacturing 1120Grade 11
am301Advanced Manufacturing Theory 114Grade 11
am305Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Education 1112Grade 11
pmet301CTAE Pathway: Communication & Career Essentials2Grade 11
pmet302CTAE Pathway: Business Finance Professional Financial Literacy2Grade 11
am400Advanced Manufacturing 1220Grade 12
am401Advanced Manufacturing Theory 124Grade 12
am405Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Education 1224Grade 12
pmet401CTAE Pathway: Civic Humanitarianism2Grade 12
pmet402CTAE Pathway: Professional Portfolio Presentation2Grade 12
Advanced Manufacturing Exploratory 9

Course # am101 | Credit: 1
This five-day cycle exploratory course introduces grade 9 students to hands-on experience making a project under direct supervision. Students will learn how to cut raw materials to prepare for subtractive machining of metal stock, including brass, steel, or aluminum, and use manual engine lathes, milling machines, and horizontal bandsaws to create a product, such as a working metal clock, a yoyo, a fidget spinner, or dice. In addition, students will be introduced to 3D printing, basic robotics in manufacturing, and CAD/CAM software. The future of careers in aerospace manufacturing, medical instrument manufacturing, tool and die making, along with employment in inspectional and quality assurance areas will be discussed.

Advanced Manufacturing 9

Course # am103 | Credits: 10
This semester-based course introduces students to basic information in regards to career program safety, metrology, machining, including the operation of manual milling machinery and metal lathes, horizontal bandsaws, metallurgical categories, bench work, and machine-tool geometry. Students are also introduced to the terms and language used in aerospace and machinist trade, CAD/CAM, solid modeling, and 3D printing. Students also acquire a basic understanding of how to read blueprints and the basic use of inspection equipment. Students work on projects to the end of the school year while practicing safety.

Advanced Manufacturing 10

Course # am200 | Credits: 16
This full-year course introduces students to detailed information on safety, metrology, machining, including the operation of manual and conversational milling machinery and manual and conversational metal lathes and fixturing, horizontal bandsaws, metallurgical studies, and a detailed overview of machine tools. Students use geometry and advanced terms and language used in aerospace and the machinist trade to learn how to decipher and create G and M Code, to be introduced to programming language and program formatting, CAD/CAM and program formatting, CAD/CAM and solid modeling, and 3D printing. Students also learn how to read and create blueprints, prototype their ideas, and use detailed inspection equipment with an introduction to geometric dimensioning and tolerances.

Advanced Manufacturing 10 Theory

Course # am201 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course will provide students with machining theory from basic to advanced techniques. Students will progress by participating in discussions of machine-tool technology and all aspects of machining metals, metallurgy, and other materials, utilizing subtractive-machining techniques. Students will also study inspectional procedures, tool geometry, 3-D printing, CAD / CAM basics to detailed reading and writing G & M code. They will also learn about inspectional and quality-assurance techniques, devices, and measuring tools along with concepts related to geometric, dimensioning, and tolerances. Students will be introduced to CNC program language, detailed introduction to G and M code and practice these techniques with their instructor. Theory will begin with very basic information and build to a more detailed understanding of machining and manufacturing procedures in a safe and fun learning environment.

Advanced Manufacturing Theory 11

Course # am301 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course introduces students to thread cutting, types of files and saws and the use of milling machines and milling cutters, along with a study of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Students will explore metal manufacturing blueprint reading and sketching. Students will also learn advanced programming techniques as they write computer numerical controls (CNC) programs for the CNC lathe and machining center using G&M codes.

Advanced Manufacturing 11

Course # am300 | Credits: 20
This full-year course provides students with training and work experience across a broad spectrum of manufacturing equipment. Students learn how to manufacture metal and plastic parts using lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, grinding equipment, laser cutters, and 3D printers. They learn to read blueprints, use a variety of inspection tools, and program and operate computer numerical control (CNC) equipment to industry standards. Students also learn to design components on computer-aided design (CAD) software and build components that require precision design, manufacturing, and assembly, using the principles of engineering.

Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Education 11

Course # am305 | Credits: 12
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only.

Advanced Manufacturing 12

Course # am400 | Credits: 20
This full-year course continues to provide students with experience across a broad spectrum of manufacturing equipment. Students continue to work on projects where they manufacture metal and plastic parts using lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, grinding equipment, laser cutters, and 3D printers. Students read blueprints, use inspection tools, and program and operate computer numerical control (CNC) equipment according to industry standards. Students also continue to design components using computer-aided design (CAD) software and build components that require precision design, manufacturing, and assembly through the engineering design process.

Advanced Manufacturing Theory 12

Course # am401 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course is intended to teach students the underlying theories that accompany the Advanced Manufacturing program. There is an emphasis on computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, machining calculations, cutting theory, additive manufacturing, job planning workflow, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, as well as cost analysis.

Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Education 12

Course # am405 | Credits: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a career vocational-technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle.

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