North Dakota State College of Science students now have the opportunity to receive advanced metrology training as part of their education, thanks to the installation of $1.5 million in equipment, and national training certification earned by Manufacturing department faculty.

The NDSCS Manufacturing department has installed metrology equipment that allows for automated measurement and inspection of manufactured products, as well as equipment for manual measurement training. The equipment includes:
• ZEISS DuraMax Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) with CALYPSO software and accessories
• Snap-on Starrett® NC3 precision measurement certification kit
• Haas Wireless Intuitive Probing System (WIPS)
• ZEISS, Phillips Precision and Rayco CMM tooling and metrology accessories

In addition to the new equipment, three NDSCS instructors have completed accredited coursework to earn certification through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). The new metrology curriculum has been incorporated into the College’s manufacturing programs including Precision Machining Technology, Welding Technology, and Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics Technology. In addition, all students in transportation-related programs take a manufacturing course that uses this equipment in the study of metrology.

This training initiative was made possible thanks to $1.297 in donated CALYPSO software and a $100,000 equipment discount from ZEISS, a $22,000 equipment discount from Snap-on Starrett, and a $183,000 Workforce Enhancement Grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce.

“A big highlight of this initiative is the equipment that provides an automated method of inspecting manufactured products. This is a method that many ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified manufacturers use,” said NDSCS Manufacturing Department Chair Steve Johnson. “At the same time, we also added equipment that allows advanced training in manual measurement methods.”

The North Dakota State College of Science Performing Arts Department will present its spring play, Charlotte’s Web, at 7:00 p.m. on March 27 and 28 in the Bremer Bank Theatre in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton. Admission at the door is $5 for adults, and $1 for students.

Charlotte’s Web is based on the story by E.B. White, and dramatized by Joseph Robinette.

The bands from Wahpeton High School and Breckenridge (Minn.) High School will join the band from North Dakota State College of Science to perform a free concert on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton.

Throughout the day, the bands will work together with guest conductor Dr. Warren Olfert from North Dakota State University. The bands will perform a wide variety of music during the evening’s concert.

“This is a great opportunity for students to work with a different teacher than they normally do, as well as to play in a larger band,” said Dr. Adam Hollingsworth, NDSCS Director of Bands. “We invite the community to come to the concert and hear what our local students have been working on.”

Five students from North Dakota State College of Science will be performing with statewide collegiate music groups on February 3. The students are:

North Dakota Collegiate Women’s Honor Choir:
• Nicole Demars, Cavalier, N.D.
• Faith Goettle, Campbell, Minn.
• Brandi Romereim, Wahpeton, N.D.

North Dakota Intercollegiate Band:
• Dilan Kluver-Pasche, Hoffman, Minn.
• Luke Olsby, Wahpeton, N.D.

The Women’s Collegiate Honor Choir students will perform with singers from other North Dakota colleges at a concert on February 3 at 3:00 p.m. at the Reineke Fine Arts Center at North Dakota State University. The choir is an annual tradition at the North Dakota Choral Directors Association (ACDA) yearly convention. This year’s conductor is Dr. Philip A. Swan, who is Co-Director of Choral Studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc. The students will prepare music during the month of January and have two days of rehearsal with Dr. Swan prior to the concert. 

The Intercollegiate Band students will perform with instrumentalists from other North Dakota colleges at a concert on February 3 at 3:00 p.m. at the Reiland Fine Arts Center at the University of Jamestown. The band has become an annual tradition in the state. This will mark the second year of NDSCS participation in the group. This year’s conductor is Professor Emeritus Larry Gookin of Central Washington University, of Ellensburg, Wash. The students will prepare music during the month of January and have two days of rehearsal with Professor Gookin prior to the concert.