PEORIA (25News Now) – Welding students at Manual High School in Peoria have been practicing their skills using the latest training technology.
Caterpillar donated eight VR welding machines valued at $210,000 to the high school. Students wear VR helmets on the machines and practice various welding techniques and joints.
Manual welding instructor Andrew Rice said using the machines was a safe way for students to become familiar with welding.
“I can get your skills up to speed, we can build your confidence and you can progress and get to the point where you feel confident enough to go next door and really weld,” Rice said.
He said one of the biggest benefits of the devices is that students can analyze data from their VR welds based on seven different parameters, allowing them to monitor their progress in class.
In addition, the machines produce no waste, thus reducing material costs for the school district.
“These consumable plates don’t wear out,” Rice said. “The stick electrodes they currently use are retiring because a real electrode would burn out.”
Julio Hernandez, a junior in manual labor and CAT intern, said the machines are a fun way for beginners to improve their skills without intimidation.
“(At first) I was pretty scared to touch the bars. Even though Mr. Rice had shown us how to do it, I was still pretty nervous. I thought I would mess something up or break something,” Hernandez said. “If I had done it the first time, I probably would have been a lot more relaxed.”
Rice said he’s seeing more students showing interest in the trade. He said these machines are a great tool for further training future welders.
“I think it’s a huge confidence booster when they get to the point where they can actually go out there and do the real work with confidence,” Rice said. “Then we can give back to the community by giving excellent welders a career that will last for years.”
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